My Proposal for TV Ratings on Anti-Unity Values in Gender Behavior
By: Jennifer Combs
Outline for Report 3:
Preface
Introduction
Class Oral Presentations/Lect. Discussions
My Proposal for AUV Ratings on TV
Conclusion
Future Generations
I. Preface:
My previous report, Report 2, was an Applied Project. I had to map the Threefold Self in my own Gender Relationship. We had to understand and explain what self-witnessing was and use examples from the Generational Curriculum. The same needed to be done with the threefold self as well. We had to collect data from our particular relationship and make observations of the cognitive, affective, and sensorimotor areas of the threefold self. The area of the sensorimotor self was based on Dominance or Control areas. The cognitive self was negotiation areas; and the affective self was trust and mutual dependence. Among these areas, we had to analyze and discuss the observations found.
As for the conclusion section of this report, the questions were as follows:
~How does this assignment help you identify your understandings and ideas of gender relationships and theory? I explained that the assignment gave me a clearer perspective on gender relationships since I had to pertain to my own relationship.
~How is this useful in your view? I found it to be very useful because I could point out where improvements were needed.
~How did your views change from the beginning of the semester to now? I explained that my views have changed because in the beginning, I felt very strongly about achieving the unity model. However, I still look at ways to help my relationship grow, but I don't feel that achieving the unity model is as easy as making your husband agree with everything you say. I understand a husband should want to do as much as he can to help his wife be happy, but men and women are different. They will have disagreements from time to time because we all have our own opinions about certain things.
As for Report 3, we have to briefly explain our previous report. We need to define and describe the Gender Unity Model. In the third section we have to select 3-5 class oral presentations of our choice to discuss. We have to explain 3 that we agree with and 3 that we disagree with. In section four, we have to watch a TV show or movie and describe: events, words, and attitudes observed. We are to explain the scene and why it is promoting an AUV; as well as how it is contrary to the formation of unity between partners. Next we test it out by using scales etc. and rate when watching the show. Concluding the assignment, we state our feelings toward the gender relationships. Lastly give advice to the future generations.
II. Introduction:
My perspective of the Gender Unity Model is a married relationship uniting as one spiritually and physically forever. I was able to relate some reports to this model in Report 1 if you want to take a look back you can click on the link. For more explanation go to Dr. James' definition. Unity is the third inmost phase that improves cognitive and sensorimotor aspects. Interaction is easier is this stage. The two partners must get through the other two stages to reach this one. Students perspectives were various among G20.
Chart of the Three Models in Marriage
| LEVEL OF UNITY | NAME OF MODEL | THREEFOLD
SELF INVOLVED IN THE RELATIONSHIP |
| 3 | UNITY | AFFECTIVE (inmost) |
| 2 | EQUITY | COGNITIVE (internal) |
| 1 | DOMINANCE | SENSORIMOTOR (external) |
III. Class Oral Presentations and Lecture Discussions:
The three class oral presentations are:
1) Christal Martin
2/24/04
Ch. 3 of Deborah Tannen's book Gender and Discourse.
Ideas relating to the gender unity model from her presentation that I agreed with are:
-Topic 1 on a study about conversations among males and females. It explained that physical alignment and topical cohesion were expressed more in female talk than in males. I can agree with this because females are seen to do this at younger ages and throughout life more-so.
-Topic 2, she explained that males do not align their bodies when speaking to others. They are not as engaged in the conversation as females do. Females have always shown a great amount of empathy towards others .
Ideas that I disagreed with are:
-There was only a small aspect that I disagreed about and that was the fact that a few statements that regarded one gender from the other, I could see being in the other gender. Women are said to be more emotional which is true, but men can also be emotional as well. Overall Christal presented very well and was very valid.
2) Suzanne Howard
4-6-04
Reference 11: Doctrine of the Wife, Part 1
Ideas that I agreed with that relate to the Unity Model:
-Topic 1: Congugial Love and the Doctrine of the Wife
This touches right on the gender unity model because it focuses on a person's strongest desire being united as a married couple in conjugial love.
-Topic 3: Part B Dominance vs. Voluntary submission
She stated that neither men nor women are dominant in the unity model. I agree with this because in the relationship, it should be an equal effort.
Ideas that I disliked:
-Topic 1: Part B Conjugial love does not come to us automatically
The idea of regeneration only because if we don't do so, we are said to be prone to evil. We are to love good things. This sounds morally correct but honestly our society is not like this.
-Topic 1: Part B
Tendencies being prone to evil are inherited from our parents and or other family members. I agree that how one is raised can make them develop in a particular way, but with the parents being the ones that bring out the evil is us, I don't agree with that. I would think that the parents are the ones that try to bring out the good in you.
3) Janessa Bixel
4-20-04
Reference 13: Teacher's Classroom Strategies By: Deborah Tannen
Ideas that I agreed with pertaining somewhat to the unity model:
-Women bond by talking about troubles. This is very true because women empathize with one another, and are also great listeners. Women also do so when united with her husband.
-Conclusion section: "Teachers must be aware and sensitive to the way they teach and react between the genders." I agree with this because girls have different tendencies than boys when it comes to learning and if teachers are more aware then they are able to teach them better.
Ideas that I disliked were:
-Introduction: "Women who go to same-sex schools do better later in life." I didn't agree with this because there are many women who attend coed schools and they become very successful as well.
-Topic 2: Walter Ong: He believes that classrooms are more hospitable toward men because the debate-like formats in our school systems. I don't agree with this because first, women can be just as debate-like. Also I think the classrooms are fit for both genders.
IV. My Proposal for Anti-Unity Value Ratings on TV:
4A. What are AUV Ratings?
These stand for Anti-Unity Value Ratings. They are based on a particular scale pertaining to something that is related towards anti-unity, which doesn't relate to unification. For a clearer understanding, Dr. James' provided us with a list to relate to anti-unity. He related this list to a Soap Opera called One Life to Live. Here is the list below:
4B. What Procedures I followed?
I chose to watch a sitcom that involved a married couple. I used Dr. James' list while watching this particular show and went through each of the conversations involved. I was able to pull out quite a few from the list that were involved in this show. I focused on the married couple.
4C. The Data I Gathered.
I chose to watch "Everybody Loves Raymond". It is on at 9pm Monday evenings on CBS. I actually watched this episode last week. The basis of this episode was the fact that Raymond's children were receiving too much homework. He wanted to do something about it and tried discussing it with the teacher during an open house type of meeting.
1) Manipulating partner through deception
This is the same idea as in the last example. Raymond deceives Debra by having his mom "help" him with the reviewing of the curriculums. If he would have continued doing the so-called research needed for the meeting in this manner, he would have looked foolish in front of the committee.
2) Acceptance of the idea that men are more important
This idea only came up slightly in this episode. It seems as though Raymond and Debra have a pretty good relationship. However when he had to do research for the meeting, there were piles of books to review. Raymond thought he could just get by with his mom helping him out. He explained to his mother and she started to baby him by doing most of the work. When Debra came home she saw Ray and his father eating pie and chatting while his mother was doing large amounts of reading. This made it as though Raymond was still important and could come out just the same with his mom doing the work. Debra didn't feel this way when she saw what was happening.
3) Promoting the idea that one should not try to change one's partner but should accept them with their faults, etc.
This relates somewhat because it was Raymond's turn to help out with the child's homework. Debra asked him what he would rather do, help Ally with homework or give the twins a bath, who is covered in dirt. He chose to help with homework. Doing so made him realize how much work it is to just help. He was upset and wanted to explain to the teacher that it is out of hand. This got him in a bind because the teacher informed him that he should attend a counsel meeting to state his thoughts but he needs to go over the curriculums they are teaching now so he is aware in the meeting.
4) Promoting the idea that men are more rational than women.
Raymond felt that if he went to explain to the teacher that the homework given is too much for the children to handle, the problem would be resolved. Debra felt the same but has dealt with helping them a majority of the time without complaints. She let Raymond go on about his feelings toward this and see if it could get resolved. In a way she had in her mind that it wouldn't be as easy as it looks. Doing so, Raymond was handed an invitation to the counsel meeting the following day and large amounts of reading relevant to what will be discussed. In the end Raymond wasn't as rational as he thought. However he handled the meeting very well.
5) Accepting the idea that it is ok to "agree to disagree" about some things.
This topic could be displayed when Raymond disagreed with the amount of homework given and discussed it with his wife Debra. She felt it was somewhat too much, but was more used to the amount than Raymond. So there was a slight disagreement according to the homework issue, and Raymond totally could not understand why a child should be given this amount being so young, he thinks they should experience life as a child instead of stress of homework. Debra sided with him more in the end, but not at first only because she didn't think anything would change.
4C. The AUV Scale
The AUV Scale I used was based on Dr. James' list. I provided those that were pointed out in the episode I watched in section 4B. I listed five different AUV ratings shown in "Everybody Loves Raymond".
4E. Testing out the AUV Scale
Testing out the scale which I chose to use is explained in section 4B clearly. I basically watched the episode and when there were commercials throughout the episode I would make notes to get a better idea where it would fit on the AUV scale. I numbered the sections from 1-5 because these were the ideals that came out more in the show. The scale being 1-5, 1 being the most anti-unity and 5 being less anti-unity but still in that category.
Conclusion:
This assignment has helped me identify social and cultural attitudes in our society because of regarding gender relationships. The ways which it has helped is by looking at my own relationship, and watching TV and movies pertaining to gender relationships. Books, magazines and media factor in a great deal of our interpretation on gender relationships as well.
This new awareness is useful because some aspects can be easier to avoid while focusing on more enjoyable aspects. Those to avoid are being dominant in a relationship, thinking you are the only one to be right etc. If these are able to be aware of they can get resolved and make life more enjoyable.
My views on social and cultural attitudes in the media have greatly changed because I am more aware of what is going on in counseling talk shows for instance. In these such groups, women are looked as always being at fault or in the wrong. At first I wasn't sure if I agreed with this being true, so I went and watched a few shows to see for my own opinion. It came out to be true. I don't agree that women should be only to blame. The reason for this is because, a relationship is based on two people and if one is at fault there are some factors to be at fault from the other person.
I see Gender Unity being portrayed negatively at first when portrayed in the media. I feel this way because so many people see the traditional way of life being the best and changing something like this won't go over well at first. However, if many look more in depth as we have in this class, it could possibly have a good outcome. It will just take a great amount of time.
Future Generations:
The advice I give is to give yourself plenty of time ahead of the due dates for Reports. Also, when taking a class such as this, you need to stay open-minded because if not you will tend to get angry. You don't have to necessarily agree with what is being discussed but just stay open to others agreeing with something like this. It is also very good to read more about a certain topic that may question your thoughts, so you are more aware of this topic. Stay positive and you will do just fine! Good luck!!