Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Response for Friday: Herring article and CMC

Herring implies in the "Conclusion" section of her article that the female style of computer-mediated communication (CMC) is preferable to the male style. Do you agree with her opinion? Why or why not? Identify what characteristics of the "male style" or "female style" you prefer and why. Cite Herring's essay to further support your point, or use her essay to attack her opinion.

--ejfleitz

Baby Card

http://cards.123greetings.com/cgi-bin/newcards/showthumbs.pl?q1=fkt_boy&log=123&src=

With this link, there are online congrats cards for having a baby boy. I don't think it really fits in her example simply because some of these cards have traditionally "girly" colors yet the cards are for boys.

In general, however, I do think baby cards are a good way to show how children are treated. Some boy cards might have sports on it while some girl cards might have something more meant for a girl. The baby card, while sometimes debatable in the situation, is a good way to show identity roles for children.

Baby Cards

I definitely can agree to some extent with the author about baby cards. As I read this particular article I could think of many baby cards that I have seen in my past. Also as I went to wal mart last night I glanced at the card section and witness many boy specific cards and girl specific cards. I think it is an interesting argument. But I must say that I think the author could have used a little more proof to back up the argument.

gender specific cards

http://www.123greetings.com/family/girl/girl8.html
http://www.123greetings.com/family/boy/boy9.html

from the 2 cards that i researched you can see the gender messages that are given, for the girl she is seen as being an angel and for the boy the impression is that he is boss. this arguement fits in with the assigned reading for today because is shows the difference between how boys and girls are viewed, why cant the boy be an angel and the girl a boss? although many bosses are males there are a number of female ceo's etc..., and is calling a boy an angel considered girly perhaps thats the thinking behind gender specific cards.

Baby Girl Greeting Card

The card I picked (http://reminders.barnesandnoble.com/ecard/detail.asp?CGID=22&CARDID=18178&PAGE=0) was an e-card for a baby girl. The message only says; "It's a baby girl!" The picture on the cards says more. Its a picture of a baby girl chick that just hatched out of her egg and when she emerges she is holding a pick mirror and looking at herself through it. The makers of that card assume that since its a girl she will probably be prissy and looking at herself in the mirror to see if she looks ok. The mirror is also pink which I think ties into the reading about how gender is stereotyped. This seems to be an issue for some people, but honestly for me I don't see the color of a card being that big of a deal. Yes I think that people have sterotyped gender but who cares? I think people need to relax and not look so much into things. My favorite color is blue, and I don't see anyone making a big deal about it.

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

Baby Girl Card

At first I felt my card did not really support Willer’s claims; however on closer examination I realized that it in fact did have some gender reinforcement. On the front of the card it says “Congratulations on your little ‘sleepy-time gal’” and on the inside are two very tired parents holding there smiling baby. There is not really a gendered color theme of pinks, but there is no blue, more of a purple color. The language supports gendered themes in the use of the word “little” referring to a girl. Also, Willer claims that, “Although not significant, there were birth congratulation cards for girls that identified a girl as a shopper, as a phone talker … as needing security.” I think that the message that the new baby girl is tiring her parents up reinforces the stereotype that females are high maintenance.

Baby Cards

http://www.bluemountain.com/category.pd?path=82903

When i read about this assignment about 2o different cards popped into my head. I have worked at a hallmark store back home for 3 years. I have read, put away, and sold hundreds of baby cards. When i read the article there were defientaly some similarities that popped into my mind. I can think of some pink cards that have pink bows and glitter all over them for girls and have cute pictures of teddy bears, and pink toys. I think that most of the greeting cards fit Willers argument about baby greeting cards because most of them are gender specific. a lot of boy cards say "congrats on your bouncing baby boy" and with a girl its usually something about being precious and a little angel.