I found Gisela Bock's essay on dichotomies the most intriguing of all. By using these comparisons, I found that she fantastically described many of the social and political struggles that women face while describing different categories that scholars study women under. My favorite was the dichotomy of Integration vs. Autonomy because I had no idea that there was such argument going on about where Women's History should be included in a course of study as well as what it should include in itself. '''This argument of whether Women's History should be autonomous or integrated with such things as Gender History seemed like a parallel to feminist controversies in modern day social and work settings.''' I have often heard the argument that if women want to be integrated with men, then they should be treated the same, no special exceptions. But, '''if they want to keep things like maternity leave and not getting drafted, then they should remain autonomous with perhaps less benefits than men receive.''' I think that Bock definitely provided some interesting parallels between womens history controversies and modern social controversies. -- Angie W.

I found Gisela Bock's essay on dichotomies the most intriguing of all. By using these comparisons, I found that she fantastically described many of the social and political struggles that women face while describing different categories that scholars study women under. My favorite was the dichotomy of Integration vs. Autonomy because I had no idea that there was such argument going on about where Women's History should be included in a course of study as well as what it should include in itself. '''This argument of whether Women's History should be autonomous or integrated with such things as Gender History seemed like a parallel to feminist controversies in modern day social and work settings.''' I have often heard the argument that if women want to be integrated with men, then they should be treated the same, no special exceptions. But, '''if they want to keep things like maternity leave and not getting drafted, then they should remain autonomous with perhaps less benefits than men receive.''' I think that Bock definitely provided some interesting parallels between womens history controversies and modern social controversies. -- Angie W.

Leslie Alexander puts forth an interesting idea when she says that "the recognition that Black and White women are culturally different opens a Pandora's box..." (p. 20) because it is something that many young feminists never consider, but when they do, they realize that is so very true. If historians and feminists were to recognize this, then their theory of one, strong womanhood would be attacked. Like Alexander said, Black women often name their race as their main identifying factor while most white women, especially feminists, put woman. If women's history scholars were to recognize this, then they would have to take another look at women's history and perhaps separate not just separate women from men, but also from each other based on their class, race, and even sexual orientation. This would put a whole new spin on feminism and women's studies. -- Angie W.

Leslie Alexander puts forth an interesting idea when she says that "the recognition that Black and White women are culturally different opens a Pandora's box..." (p. 20) because it is something that many young feminists never consider, but when they do, they realize that is so very true. '''If historians and feminists were to recognize this, then their theory of one, strong womanhood would be attacked.''' Like Alexander said, Black women often name their race as their main identifying factor while most white women, especially feminists, put woman. If women's history scholars were to recognize this, then they would have to take another look at women's history and perhaps separate not just separate women from men, but also from each other based on their class, race, and even sexual orientation. This would put a whole new spin on feminism and women's studies. -- Angie W.

One of the key components in the study of women's history is the recognition and understanding that different cultures expose women to different challenges.  Alexander notes in her essay that to acknowledge the black and white women have different histories because of cultural differences seems to be obvious.  We do not assume that George Washington and Abraham Lincoln have a bond simply because they were both of the same gender.  It would be ludicrous to assume that all women have experienced the same histories and lives. - efritz

One of the key components in the study of women's history is the recognition and understanding that different cultures expose women to different challenges.  Alexander notes in her essay that to acknowledge the black and white women have different histories because of cultural differences seems to be obvious.  '''We do not assume that George Washington and Abraham Lincoln have a bond simply because they were both of the same gender.  It would be ludicrous to assume that all women have experienced the same histories and lives.''' - efritz

efritz certainly makes some good points.  There are definitely similarities between white and black women, the simplest being they are both women.  However, I strongly disagree with having a universal image for women.  Even white women are different from each other, based on things like their environment, family upbringing, or culture.  So, of course white women and black women would vary from each other.  When Alexander talked about it being obvious for these women to have different histories, I agreed.  I had been surprised to find that historians had thought differently until it was strongly pointed out to them! -- CBrau

efritz certainly makes some good points.  There are definitely similarities between white and black women, the simplest being they are both women.  However, I strongly disagree with having a universal image for women.  Even white women are different from each other, based on things like their environment, family upbringing, or culture.  So, of course white women and black women would vary from each other.  When Alexander talked about it being obvious for these women to have different histories, I agreed.  I had been surprised to find that historians had thought differently until it was strongly pointed out to them! -- CBrau

I agree with Taylors interpretation of equality between the sexes.  The women's movement of the 1970's was a tremendous boost to elevating the status of women in society.  It assisted in raising wages of women to be closer to those of men, and allowed women to enter into occupations traditionally held by men.  But how far do we want to go with equality?  Men and women are different physically and physiologically for a reason.  Women should be valued the same as men but I think that to deny that there are differences is also incorrect. -efritz

I agree with Taylors interpretation of equality between the sexes.  The women's movement of the 1970's was a tremendous boost to elevating the status of women in society.  It assisted in raising wages of women to be closer to those of men, and allowed women to enter into occupations traditionally held by men.  '''But how far do we want to go with equality?  Men and women are different physically and physiologically for a reason.  Women should be valued the same as men but I think that to deny that there are differences is also incorrect.''' -efritz

I thoroughly enjoyed this reading.  I particularly liked how class and race were emphasized in all four of the essays.  The essay by Gisela Bock was interesting and raised a lot of good questions. As Angie pointed out, Bock does cover some of the basic struggles women face today and how scholars interpret these struggles, a point I found intriguing. A question I have, based off the reading is how each of the dichotomies she listed are specifically present today (as far as where), how much of an impact do they have on women in society and how much of an impact they currently have on the writing of women's history? I agree with the statement posted by efritz on equality.  Although I do believe men and women should have equal opportunity, I think there should be a clear distinction between both men and women. -abratchi

I thoroughly enjoyed this reading.  I particularly liked how class and race were emphasized in all four of the essays.  The essay by Gisela Bock was interesting and raised a lot of good questions. As Angie pointed out, Bock does cover some of the basic struggles women face today and how scholars interpret these struggles, a point I found intriguing. A question I have, based off the reading is how each of the dichotomies she listed are specifically present today (as far as where), how much of an impact do they have on women in society and how much of an impact they currently have on the writing of women's history? I agree with the statement posted by efritz on equality.  Although I do believe men and women should have equal opportunity, I think there should be a clear distinction between both men and women. -abratchi