Gender Roles on a Saturday night in Athens

The other night me and my friends decided that we didn't want to go out, leading us to only one option...people watching. We headed to Dairy Queen followed by a pit stop to the courthouse stairs, the best place in town to go when you want a show for the night. Watching from an outsiders perspective, I realized how gender roles really do play a huge role in our everyday lives. Social norms, for many,  truly are dropped the second a drop of alcohol hits the system. Girls are no longer proper and polite. Many trade in their jean shorts and frilly tanks for a short black dresses and heels. Often times with that flowery top goes morals. Within 20 minutes of  sitting at the courthouse we saw 3 physical fights break out. Men. Although they don't need alcohol to be aggressive and completive, it generally has a huge impact which leads to fighting. One sober Saturday night in athens has shown me that gender roles are not only in hollywood and ads, they occur in our everyday life!

From Tutu's and Tiaras to Runways and Supermodels

This past weekend I was watching E- news and a story about a 10 year old child model came on, discussing the controversial French Vogue shoot she had previously been in. Thylane Loubry Blondeau, along with 2 other preteens played a lead role in the "Quel maquillage à quel âge?" or in English, “What makeup at what age?” fashion shoot that has begun to stir the question of how young is too young? Thylane is shown in many seductive poses and outfits that we see in fashion spreads and advertisements all over; pouted lips, legs in the air, hand over lips. Her Mom made many public statements saying that she found nothing wrong with her little girl simply playing dress up and that if she thought it would be damaging to her, she would never put her up to this. Others on the web argued that her pictures were disgusting,  a little girl growing up too fast, and a very young girl being sexualized in an adult way. I would have to agree. I understand that in the fashion industry, girls start very young but 10 years old seems like over kill to me. Unfortunately though, with her mom in the fashion world and her dad a pro soccer player, I think that she was born into this kind of lifestyle. Hopefully her parents will realize that their little girl may start to grow up a little faster than they hoped if she continues on this camera friendly path.

The Next Chapter...

With my senior year quickly approaching, I have started to think a lot about the next chapter in my life; the real world. Terrifying to imagine, but the possibilities and doors that will open are exciting to think about. I have learned to love college(although it took awhile) and am having a hard time grasping the end to this amazing experience. Picturing myself being a teacher in less than a year is scary to say the least, not only for me but for my future students! I still feel so young and that still have so much to learn. Although I am scared and slightly in denial I know that with time I will gain a realization and confidence for what is it come. My friends that have become family will stay with me no matter where we go and I know that I will always be able to look back at my time here at OU and remember some of the best years of my life!