This will either make you laugh or cry...

... or possibly a bit of both!

So I'm reading Where the Girls Are, which is fantastic. It's really opened my eyes about how the mass media has portrayed women throughout the decades, from the 1950s on. Having read quite a bit about women's studies, as well as the mass media (I have a degree in Communications), and just being a gal in general, I know that women have had it rough throughout the centuries... a lot harder than men, in my humble opinion!  ;-)   But I might be a bit biased. Seriously, though, women spent decades being viewed as "the weaker sex", and yet expected to take care of a husband, a family, and a home. If we're so supposedly weak, why all the responsibilities? It's too obvious to say how ridiculous this is. We're still not as paid as much as men for the same work, even today. We still continue to be held back in some ways, although we've come so far in so many ways. I guess it's an ongoing battle, although we're more ahead of the game now than ever before.

Anyway, I digress. What I wanted to share with the group was this oh-so-interesting section. It will either enrage you or scare you, possibly a bit of both. This particular part of the book was about advertising to women (especially housewives, which were all women were expected to be back then) in the 1950s. Since most women were housewives, and consumerism was on the rise, advertisers knew it made sense to target their products toward women, as they were the majority of consumers in America at that time. In 1958, a book was written called What Makes Women Buy, in which advertisers enlightened the world with their extremely intelligent views about selling to mothers (I am dripping with sarcasm here, FYI):

"Women, the book intoned, 'have a strong tendency toward irrational beliefs' ... the conviction that a woman 'lives in two worlds- her real world and an imaginary world she creates' led advertisers to invent guys like the shiny-headed, bullet-shaped, cartoon genie Mr. Clean to really reach childlike, daydream-believin' moms."

Wait for it... it gets better.

"Slaves to their reproductive systems, 'at least half of all women are turned into [witches] of varying degrees once a month.' Woman's bone structure and bodily proportions overwhelmingly lead her toward more passive interests and an inward life. The instability of woman's bodily functions and nervous system make her a more emotional customer than a man.' Women 'tire more easily than men' and 'the average woman would be more interested in reading about sewing than about swimming.' (who'd want to read about either?). Instead, 'home decorating is a high natural interest,' wired, presumably, into one or both of the chromosomes. 'Women's verbal aptitude account for the fact that they like to gossip and have the last word.' Women are 'not inclined to be interested in automobiles and business,' and their 'interest in sports and mechanical objects is extremely low.'"

Yeah... let's all sit back and digest that for a while. This is one of the many reasons I'm glad I wasn't a housewife in the 1950s!!!! I can't help but think of the TV show Mad Men when I read about this... anyone else love this show as much as I do? I can't believe that the season is over already!!!!

Now, on to other things. How was everyone's Tuesday? Mine was quiet... and cold. Right now I'm sitting here with my heating pad, watching The Biggest Loser. I'm not really sure who I dislike more... Heba or Vicky. I think Vicky, but not by much. I love Michelle and Colleen the best! If either one of them wins, I'll be happy!!!

In food news... I am 2 for 2 in the yummy new bar department this week: Odwalla Sweet and Salty Peanut Bar (I was going to post a pic, but I can't find a good one on the web). This was so freaking delicious!!!!!!!!!!!   Honestly, it tasted just like a healthy version of the PayDay candy bar... and it fueled a good cardio workout, plus some a set of chest press exercises and a set on the ab bench. But more importantly, it tasted like a PayDay candy bar!!!! I loved it and will be restocking the next time I go grocery shopping!

And here is my shrimp/black beans/broccoli dinner creation, as promised:

This was super delicious. I liked it better with shrimp than I did with the chicken, actually! Now I'm out of black beans AND shrimp, sadly, but that's okay... I can always buy some more!

Time to relax, watch TV, have dessert (more sugar-free pudding; gotta use up that milk!), and go to bed early. I have a Career Planning Workshop all morning at work tomorrow... should be oh-so-very fun.

Goodnight!!!  :-)