Reading #1_Response

“In Stoljar’s view, preferences influenced by the internalization of ‘oppressive forms of femininity’ (Stoljar, 2000, p. 94) evoke the intuition that they are not autonomous… agents must thus exercise normative competence - a skill which enables one to identify and exclude oppressive norms from one’s decision-making process — to count as autonomous" (p. 6) 

1. Looking at this statement through the lens of oppressive beauty norms, I resonate with the idea that investigating one’s preferences can spark disillusionment. For example, I think many women understand that it is impossible to “do makeup for yourself” or to shave because it makes you “feel cleaner” in a patriarchal context, despite how using these narratives can make those decisions feel autonomous. Personally, I believe that Stoljar’s view on “normative competence” is empowering because it highlights that noncompliance with beauty norms is not a moral failing.

"We need only recall literary pieces like Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll House for a predictable societal response. In Ibsen’s play, Nora decides to leave behind her home, her husband, and children, in pursuit of her own freedom from oppression. Her protesting husband Thorvald scolds her and tells her that she is, before all else, 'a wife and a mother.' Thus, her freedom is accompanied by censure; to avoid it, she would have to continue abiding by motherhood norms at the cost of her preferred life choices…” (p. 3)

1. Nora’s inner conflict and ultimate decision in A Doll’s House made me think about how many women face pressure to choose between a life as a “family woman” or a “career woman”. This presents the idea that men have more personal autonomy because they do not necessarily have to categorize themselves in this way; they can simultaneously be fathers and prioritize work. There is an expectation that women, as stated by Lee, must “take up caring roles in their stead” (p. 3). Therefore, this decision can feel like more of an illusion of choice for women. Being labeled as a “career woman” can have negative connotations, as it implies that one does not want to take on a largely supportive role in a family setting, which carries the harmful idea that ambition is masculine.
   
   

“As Mark Piper observes, gendered socialization processes disadvantage women when it comes to opportunities for self-expression, since young girls and women are often taught to be submissive to men and to focus on domestic life over other pursuits” (p. 2-3).

1. I found myself agreeing with Piper's observation - specifically, the current glamorization and aestheticization of domestic living online through tradwife content is incredibly predatory. It is tragic that women take on the role of influencers and perpetuate oppressive patriarchal structures while also being victims themselves. Although they may believe they chose this life for themselves, it reflects an underlying lack of autonomy as a result of gendered socialization. As a result, I think it is important to simultaneously remain critical of online tradwife content while investigating the context by which an influencer constructs their lifestyle.