Disability

Response Paper # 2

When I decided to take the class I knew that the class would be about the lives of women and the challenges that women face. I expected conversation of issues and assignments to research the issues. The presentations and the readings that we have had have gone way beyond my expectations and have been beneficial to me in my personal life. The presenters that we have had and the topics that we have discussed have been exceptional. I really appreciate the way the classes are run. I feel that they are interactive and informative. The readings are easy to understand and I can relate them to my personal life experiences and for future encounters that I may have in life.

In the short time I have spent in class I have expanded my knowledge and awareness on several topics that are very relevant to me. I feel that the topics we discuss will allow me to have a deeper understanding and appreciation of views I might have otherwise overlooked. I feel that it is very important for everyone to realize, understand, and appreciate the role the woman plays in society and the issues that are impacting her.

I feel that the topic of women's issues is one that is often misunderstood. Many people feel that only radical lesbian's talk about or are concerned with women's issues. That is why classes like this play an extremely important role in educating our modern culture on these issues.

The first topic that I would like to respond to is the Women in the Work force topic. The presentation in class provided me with information that was relevant in my personal work situation. The presenter shared statistics of wage differences between men and women. She also made us aware of our legal rights as women to equal pay. I believe that more often than not women have to work twice as hard to only get half of the credit if any at all. That is why there should be laws in place to protect the rights of women in the workplace. It is also important for women to be made aware of their rights so that they can take proper action when they are being discriminated against. I believe that women should also be proactive in helping each other when they find themselves in situations or need information. Women can use their votes to vote for politicians who will not dismiss important issues such as wage discrimination as a minor issue.

The class that we had on sexual orientation was very complex to me. I feel that the topic can be a sensitive one. I feel that the presenter did an excellent job of handling this topic and presenting in a manner that everyone could understand. I find it hard sometimes to deal with the topic without letting my personal feelings get involved.

The main idea that I took away from the presentation from Rita is one that I had already and that is a person's