Fighting Firestone with Fire

As "the fireball" of the feminist movement, Shulamith Firestone had many strong beliefs that she voiced on behalf of all women, with the overall assumption that every woman wanted the exact same things as she did. I believe she was admired by many women but her argument on the desired method of childbirth falls short. She believed that women were desired merely to provide children and food to the male population, and believed that it would be a relief to women if they could reproduce a child outside of a mother's womb.

http://tabletmag.com/jewish-life-and-religion/114393/the-feminist-manifesto

While I have personally never given birth, I can understand Firestone's assumption that "Pregnancy is barbaric" because I too view birth "like shitting a pumpkin." It sounds terrifying and seems to be gruesomely painful. However, that's exactly what these statements are: assumptions. Firestone herself never actually gave birth to a child, so she doesn't know what it's like to give birth and instantly be overwhelmed with an unconditional love for a tiny, alien-looking human being.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infant

There are numerous types of women in the world: Women who want children and women who don't. Women who want a child but don't have the ability to have one. Women who have accidental pregnancies. All of these women are individuals. They are people with rights and opinions. Some may think of childbirth in the way Firestone does, but others may consider it a blessing and a beautiful experience of life. Firestone failed to think that not everyone will have the same opinion on any particular subject.

http://www.everywomansoutheast.org/policy/preconception-related-policies

In making the assumption that all women would prefer to create a child outside their womb's, she did exactly what she was fighting to stop: she oppressed women. She created her own "artificial reproduction outside the womb" if you will. She took away the voices and opinions of other women, (which can be represented by) the egg and the sperm, and artificially conceived an idea without the consultation or support of her fellow women she was trying to fight for (the mother's womb). 

http://www.addictinginfo.org/2012/08/05/oppression-and-intersectionality/

I have no doubt in my mind that there were women who did agree with her and like her idea of reproduction outside the womb. One side of the argument could be that when Shulamith Firestone took away the voice of other women, she devalued them. She showed she wasn't thinking enough of the other women to consider their input. However, the feminist movement needed a lead voice to represent all women, just as our president Barack Obama represents the American people. Without Firestone, the feminist movement would not have succeeded nearly as much as it did.  

7 Risks You Take by Befriending an Only Child

In developing a friendship with someone you try to get to know the broad things about the person, where they're from, what their hobbies are, but also who their family is and what they're like. People are not often shocked when they find out someone is an only child. They usually say they could tell from the beginning. However, did you know I'm an only child? Most of the people who know me tell me they would never have guessed I was one. I'm the exception to a lot of people's stereotypes of only children. Regardless of me being the exception, I am still aware of the stereotypes. I know not everyone is born without siblings, but should we really judge those who are? The following are 7 risks you may you take by befriending an only child, so now you can't be shocked. You have been warned.

1. We're spoiled.
This is the most common stereotype of only children and I am here to tell you it's accurate. However, before you go blaming it on us, think logically about our family situation. There is only one child in the family, therefore there is a greater amount of money dedicated to us than there would be if there were multiple kids. Having a single child allows for us to go on vacations more frequently, have our laundry being done for us, and our meals cooked for us instead of us making them.

2. We're materialistic.
Although similar, materialism is not the same as being spoiled. As I said before, since we are a single child the parents have more money to provide their child with that cool new iPhone, concert tickets, or that car for their 16th birthday, and as a result of being provided with these things, we grow a liking for THINGS!

3. We don't share.
Yes, only children have experienced interaction with other kids at daycare and school where we are forced to share, but once we step outside the walls of school we will not voluntarily share if our lives depend on it. Asking to borrow our clothes, electronics, or even little things like phone chargers, can be a moment of tension waiting to happen. You've reached a milestone in your friendship with us if we willingly share anything with you, which leads me to my next point.

4. We're territorial.
Once you befriend an only child, you are our friend, no one else's. We become insanely jealous at the knowledge of you having or being with any other friends. If you're dating an only child or simply just our friend, chances are we'll question you about any and every person you're around or speak to. We won't enjoy seeing your posts about you and other people, and don't even THINK about Instagraming a photo with anyone else, you will not get our like.

5. We get comfortable quickly.
Obviously, we don't have siblings, so we form bonds with our friends that resemble those of siblings. We confide in our friends our most important secrets and our deepest thoughts, regardless if they want to know them. We want to talk and hangout all the time since more often than not we're alone at home. We also tend to be very touchy (in a very not weird way), as we love hugs and attention since we got a lot from our parents as children.

6. We have a hard time with reversibility.
We recognize that people can do things wrong and make mistakes, but we don't always handle the reality that we can be wrong and make mistakes too. We often think we can do no wrong, because when growing up, only children often get over encouraged by their parents. We also have trouble taking constructive criticism because we take it as someone criticizing our character and who we are instead of merely criticizing one of our papers or a food we've cooked.

7. We're unnaturally close with our parents.
As a result of having no siblings, we develop relationships with our parents that are more like friendships. We take funny pictures with them, we blast loud music with them, we cook horribly with them, we confide in them about the people in our lives and our day to day problems. If you come over to an only child's house, you have to surpass the parental interrogation about your own life before you can actually hangout with your friend that you came to spend time with. You'll undoubtedly gain another crazy family by befriending an only child.

Is it worth the risk?

Photo Citations:
http://problemkidsblog.com/2014/01/06/5-good-reasons-not-to-spoil-your-child/
http://pixgood.com/mom-cooking-healthy-with-kids.html
http://theantisocialmedia.com/greed-sharing-and-keeping-information/
http://www.teen.com/2014/07/22/random-stuff/what-you-feel-when-you-meet-your-bffs-new-best-friends/attachment/territorial-best-friend-tarzan/
http://ohnotheydidnt.livejournal.com/68263003.html
http://www.quazoo.com/q/Correction_paper
http://quotes.lol-rofl.com/sad-child-face/

See Through the Tattoo

Tattoos lately have become a popular form of expression, anything from pictures of people’s favorite celebrities to meaningful dates and scripted quotes. Each one tells a story, and is a reminder to someone of a specific moment they felt passionate enough about something to make it a permanent part of them. While I myself could never get a tattoo, I think they’re absolutely fascinating. Not only can the questions “What does your tattoo mean?” or “Why did you get your tattoo?” be great conversation starters, but they can also be highly informative in getting to know a person’s true self.

This four-letter tattoo argues the pure bravery, strength, and resilience of this person, and that which they’re determined to achieve and sustain; sisu. At first glance not many would notice this tattoo, much less understand the significance of “sisu.” I know I didn’t. Upon looking up the word’s meaning, I learned that there really isn’t a sufficient translation in other languages for this Finnish term. The meaning is, in a way, left up for interpretation. I think this speaks volumes to the meaning of this photo as well as the argument of strength and determination it attempts, and in my opinion succeeds, to make.

A key aspect of this photograph lies in the location of the tattoo. “Sisu” is on the bicep portion of the arm which, when the arm is at rest, is hidden. Having the tattoo in such a hidden spot gives the tattoo a more personal feel. The fact that the word is exposed shows the person’s vulnerability in the moment of the photo, whether they acknowledge it or not. They are allowing the opportunity for the meaning to be shown; for a part of themselves to be exposed; for their meaning to be shared with the world.  Although the main portion of the photograph is focused on the flexing arm to display strength, the real strength comes from the meaning of “sisu” and the figure not shown on camera.  

This picture does not merely share the story of this individual's personal courage, as important as that is, but rather argues that others should follow the meaning of “sisu;” to have the confidence to be courageous and strong throughout any adversity they face. This picture is a reminder to others they’re not alone in their struggles, and invites them to change their lives for the better. Live bravely. Live strongly. Live resiliently.