Tessa's Posts

2/19/12
It seems that we have definitions for each category of sexuality. It
is human to categorize information, but the problem is that
categorization does not work as well with human behavior. We begin to
form groups of heterosexual, gay, lesbian or bisexual, but we do not
allow ourselves to fit into more than one of those categories. In our
minds, it seems counterintuitive to be in two groups at once, such as
being heterosexual and homosexual at once. We do not create a gray
area for ourselves, instead, everything is black and white; however,
in most aspects of our lives, we live in the gray area, so why do we
try to box everyone into a specific area? I feel that being open to
your own sexuality would mean not being held back by these
categorizations. We could all experience multiple forms of
relationships, not based off what we think we are, but based off of
who we feel attracted to. In this case, we would not think of
ourselves as heterosexual or homosexual, we would just be in a
relationship with the person we want to be with.

2/12/12
I think there are a lot stereotypes surrounding what it means to be a
man or a woman. For a long time, women were the ones who stayed at
home and took care of the children, while the men worked and made
money, and those seemed to be their definitions. Men had much more of
a say in their lives and worlds they lived in than women did. Women
have been largely ignored and overlooked in the past, almost as if
their opinions did not matter. In this day and age, we have moved so
far from those stereotypes. I personally do not see myself as being
held back by anything anyone thinks I should be doing as a woman. I am
a woman but I am also a person. I want to be seen as a person that has
an equal opportunity in life regardless of my gender. I do not think
that being one gender or another should give you any advantages or
limitations. I think the definition of a woman or man is strictly
biological. There are so many stereotypes that women are more
emotional or dependent upon other people; yet I know so many strong
independent women who are not any more emotional than the average man.
Even with the way we define emotions, these stereotypes for men and
women exist. There is a negative connotation associated with
expressions of emotions women supposedly feel, such as crying; yet,
when men get angry and fight displaying aggression, it is just “how
guys are.” We do not think that type of expression of aggression makes
them weak, but a woman crying does not make her seem strong.