post vii: socialization into gender

The moment this unit started I knew it was going to be an interesting one. It changed my perspective with a lot of things. I thought I knew things but in reality I didn't. Coming from the Philippines (A very conservative country with mostly Catholic people), I thought America was a very liberated and open minded country. In some ways, it is considering they have adapted the concept of gay marriage and such. Watching the film "Tough Guise" for the first time, made me realize how ignorant I have been with the issue. I was guilty of being the person who would say "man up", "don't be such a girl", "what are you? gay?" and so much more to my little guy cousins and to my boyfriend. It was all connected. People loves it when guys open up to them but only to a certain extent or it would decrease their masculinity. And because of this, guys tend to keep their feelings to themselves until they reach a limit and they start acting up based on their emotions. That is when violence to one's self and other people come up. After watching the movie "Tough Guise", I realized how I became one of the ignorant ones and I then decided to change this certain part of myself. Another part of the film was how there was a lot of crimes was done by man. Statistics were high and the film made a point that over time, this issue become Women's issue. In the world we live in, we are the ones that has to be cautious.We were the ones that cannot provoke or bad things would happen to us. The topic about masculinity made me disgusted on how the man in our society thinks they have the right to dominate and hurt woman just to prove they are more masculine. 

On the other hand, the topic femininity made me more sad and sympathetic of the women all over the world. It is inevitable to be insecure and feel like one is not good enough. It made me realize that instead of bringing each other up, women tends to tear each other down. In the film "Killing Us Softly4" is where it showed how media affect how women deal with their body. In the film, women are usually the weaker one. The men are the more dominant one, the women are perceived as someone who just obeys and follows. It basically showed that women needs to please men. It definitely made me feel really hopeless because it is true that men see's women as object. Only a few are treated well. I can say that everyone felt more of an object at least once in their life. In this unit is where it emphasized how women are different. There are different body types and it is okay to have them. That we, women, does not need to force ourselves to look like someone else. The film made me appreciate how it is okay to be skinny. That I cannot let myself be categorized as an object and the one that pleases. This topic is something everyone can relate too and if women everywhere accepts and makes each other feel comfortable in each other's skin then it would benefit everyone. 

post vi : socialization

Few weeks ago, we have learned that everyone is being influenced in every way and every day. From small to big things, everything we do is based of how we were raised and how people around us are. Recently, we came across the "Agents of Socialization". It is where people get and learn values and know what to do and it is where how they think came from. It was divided from family, friends, school and more.

The foundation of everyone would be family. Without a doubt, families shape people. From what to wear, how to act, what to eat and more is when the influence starts. I definitely agree with this because I am an example of it. At such a young age, I was taught on what and what not to wear. I was taught how to act at certain places. I ended up liking things that they liked. I ended up eating things they usually eat. And now, I still find myself doing things they usually do. I still eat things they feed me. I still have the values they taught me growing up.

Another saying that stuck was "tell me who your friends are and I'll tell you who you are". All my life, I was taught to pick my friends. To not be with druggies or people who drink alcohol or one will lead to the wrong path. Growing up, I never believed in peer pressure. I never felt pressured to do anything because whatever it is, I wanted to do it anyways. I became the one that made people do things, it was not bad or anything. It actually turned out for the good. The friends that I have are friends for we can somehow connect to one another. We like the same things and often hate the same things. If a person surrounds itself with good people, eventually that person will be influenced and be good as well or do less bad things. The influencing is really strong specially in friendship.

post v : american culture

I moved here four years ago. It was all too weird for me. From the weather to the food to the people. It was a weird surrounding to be in, it was really clean and there was no pollution. I moved to Stevenson High School on my freshman year. On that year, I was constantly taking notes on how different I am and how different this place is compared to where I came from. I noticed that people does not really get attached with people. They get to know the basic things about people. It reminded me of the movie "Tuesdays with Morrie". Mitch is one of the characters, he basically represents a bunch of Americans. He is in a way of getting attached to people and is therefore a little scared of receiving and giving love. He took his girlfriend for granted for such a long time. Never made time for her. Maybe it is the fear of getting hurt is what hinders a lot of people of giving love. They  fear that their effort is wasted. I remember it took me a long time to get closer to anyone for they have some trust issues and most of the time they think that I am not interested in getting to know them. Americans has this belief that they do not deserved to be loved. They think so lowly of themselves and that made them assume that they are not worthy or receiving anything. A quote from the movie is stuck in my mind, "We must love one another or die". People in America are scared to open up to people. They are scared that they will not be wanted because they are not what other people expected them to be. Mitch from the movie took people that loved him for granted for he kept thinking that he did not deserve the love that he got. When I realized here is that Americans are not much of a fan of relationships. America is such a liberated county. People believes in hook ups and the no strings attached type of relationship. Back in the Philippines, everyone would wait a couple of months to be together. The guy has to court a girl for some time. In here, everything is rushed. Everything is not about getting a connection but more of what they can get from the relationship. Some people are lucky enough to find people worthy of them. Some of my friends are also good people. Thing is, they do not truly love another. They always judge and criticize and that is not what love is. This country is full of people who values love but they do not treat it as a necessity.

post iv: values.

One of the things that I found unique in the Filipino culture was the "mano po". It is when a person giving the greeting bows towards the offered hand of the elder and presses his or her forehead on the elder's hand. The word “mano” is Spanish for “hand” while the word “po” is often used in Filipino culture and language at the end of each sentence as a sign of respect when addressing someone older. Put together, “mano po” literally translates to “your hand please” as the greeting initiates the gesture of touching the back of the hand of an elder lightly on one’s forehead. 

Mano po is still used in the Philippines right now. This gesture can be done to anyone older than them and it is just basically to show respect to the elders. By offering your hand to “mano”, you are allowing yourself to be subservient to the elder to accept their blessing and wisdom. It is considered impolite if one does not exercise the custom of “pagmamano” when entering the home of an elder or after seeing them at a gathering. Respect is a big thing in the country since Filipinos are truly loyal to their family. Everyone respects each other and everyone values people's authority. The gesture is usually followed with a "God Bless You". It is a unique thing Filipinos do, I've never seen other countries do such thing.

post iii: categories and stereotypes.

"you should not generalize about people-- that's the same as stereotyping and everyone knows that educated people are not supposed to stereotype. Everyone is an individual."

Those words came from an English professor at a university. He was emphasizing how sociology should not be about generalizing people. Even though some people are tied through certain factors such as culture or religion, one should not assume that they are all the same. In the article "Should We Generalize about People?",  it was implied that even though stereotyping and categorizing is not right, it is inevitable for some cases. It is often necessary with some material things, diseases, places and more. But it is never right to categorize a person in certain categories. 

I am Filipino and luckily for me, people knows that I refused to be categorized. There was situations in the past where people automatically think that I am friends with my asian friends because they were Asians. They were wrong, I was friends with them because I think they are fun to be with and relatable. People never really categorized me as an Asian. *excuse the usage of the word* Some dumb people does not even know that Philippines is part of Asia. They would always say, "you're not asian!! you're Filipino" and I would politely reply, "Philippines is under Taiwan and Taiwan is in Asia, learn your geography". 

This topic goes along with religion. I am a Catholic. I go to church regularly. I believe in God but I don't believe in other things. People automatically assume that I am already against gay marriage or that I am against a bunch of stuff when in reality, I don't really care about those things. I'm indifferent with a lot of things I don't understand. Majority of people already assumed a lot of things just because a person is a Catholic. Even though some things are right, it is still unfair because they don't even truly know what kind the person is if her culture and religion isn't included.

To end this post, I would like to say that back then, stereotyping did not go well. A lot of people fought for their uniqueness. A lot of things, lots of bad, happened that could have been prevented if stereotyping did not exist. From holocaust to civil rights and so much more all over the world. End stereotyping and embrace individualism! 

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I am going to introduce myself as B. As much as I'd like to talk about myself, this blog is all about my views and thoughts about things. It may contradict with yours, it may agree with yours. If there is one thing that would define me, it would be my experiences. As cliché as it sounds, I am who I am because of my experiences. Here's a little a little blast from my past.. I was born in a different country, lived there for 14 years, and fluent in 3 languages... Safe to say, I am not from here. Living a life in a third world country is quite interesting since I did not know much about living it the other way. I am from Philippines. I lived in one of the place with the happiest and caring people. I lived in  

a very religious place and was raised by religious families so my views about things would have a hint of my religious belief. Although, after I moved some of my moral were changed. I learned to adapt and learn stuff on my own. In short, I am who I am because of my experiences in the Philippines. It made me tough and somewhat fearless but also appreciative and grateful. 

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As of right now, I don't have any influence in my life. As bad as it sounds, I have been trying to do my own thing and not let anyone affect my decisions and such. Although I lack influence, I am overflowing with inspiration. Some of my inspirations are my family and my best friend. 

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My goal in life is to be happy. And also have a decent job and an adventurous life. As of right now, my purpose is still a bit blurry and is still unknown. But I cannot wait to know what is in store for me.