The roles of men and women in society....

So this week, we're expounding on the topic of relationships and certain "roles" that men and women are expected to play in society. Without going too much into detail or getting too explicit, we again have the glaring--and maddening--double standard, which suggests that it's okay for a man to engage in certain behaviors, but is frowned down upon if women engage in this same behavior. It all goes back to upbringing in the families; boys are encouraged to express themselves freely and are permitted to engage in certain activities; while girls are supposed to be nice, quiet, and dainty. Should a girl show any signs of aggression, she could be viewed unfavorably by not only family and friends, but by society as a whole.

This is of concern for those of us in school or the workplace. When we enter the workplace, if people continue to hold to these perceptions of what is acceptable behavior for men and what's acceptable behavior for women, then we will continue to have issues of sex and gender come up in the workplace, such as sexism, sexual harrassment, and other related issues. I remember going over this information at work and the gentleman I worked with told me that for what I do, this type of course is necessary. And he's right; it's only by understanding our co-workers and our clientele and what they define as "normal" behavior for themselves and their families that we can satisfactorily meet their needs. And this is interrelated in the other two courses that I'm taking, as well.

The feminization of love....

In sociology (Marriages and Families), we are discussing love and loving relationships and how love is multi-faceted and different for different situations. One of the things we also discusses was the feminization of love, which focuses more on feminine qualities of love and excludes the masculine, rarely noticed masculine qualities. The feminization of love suggests that by focusing exclusively on the female emotions and actions of love, we exclude men's loving contributions to a relationship simply because they show their love in different ways.

The chapter also discussed the maddening double standard: men who can date as many women as possible without commitment and be considered a "stud", "the man", etc. But a woman who does so is not as respected, and this is a concern to many because it hinders the development of love. In fact, it is suggested that this double standard creates a lack of mutual trust and respect.

Going further into the chapter, we also read about jealous and stalking; stalking is defined as behaviors that invade a person's privacy and cause fear (such as telephone harrassment and surveillance). With the advancement of technology also comes cyberstalking, which is threatening behavior or unwanted advances using e-mail, instant messaging, and other electronic communications devices.

Global marketing and MTV....

So we're talking about global marketing in Mktg 220, and MTV was our discussion board topic this week. We talked about how MTV is one of the premiere cable entertainment channels, and how they're reaching out to customers abroad. One of the ways--which I thought was really neat--is that they actually have a virtual veejay in their Asian market named LiLi, who speaks five different languages. So, five different languages for five different segments of the Asian market will be able to get the music and culture to the masses and the markets MTV hopes to serve. I think about that in terms of its American audience, too; we have certain shows marketed to certain cultures in this country, as well. Another thing that MTV has done in terms of reaching its global audience is meeting with respected leaders regarding the concerns they may have had about their culture being Westernized by MTV. President Bill Roedy meets extensively with such leaders to assure them that their concerns will not be unheeded, that he only means to bring entertainment that they, too, can enjoy.

So this is another thing those considering a career in marketing would want to take note of: we concern ourselves with not offending those of other cultures if we want their continued support of our products. Extensive research and study is necessary to make sure that we respect their local customs while promoting our brand.

This week in Marriages and Families, we're considering love, relationships, and sexuality. More on that later, but I can guarantee that this will be one spirited conversation.

This finance class is helping me so much....

So for finance, we've been building a financial plan, based on our income, assets, and outflows of cash. Well, I've figured out a way to beef up savings immediately, and I can use this next paycheck to do it. I've decided to pay off my credit cards with the lowest balances first, so that there's no longer a need for that money to go out of my account. Sure, it's one credit card at a time, but once they're all paid off and I stick to a budget and buy what I can afford with cash only, then I'll start to see a rise in savings. Self-control and budgeting is the key. And the neat thing is that the book we're using came with a notepad for writing down everything we spend money on daily. This is good for those of you interested in a career in the business and finance field.

In marketing, we discussed the influence of marketing and labeling as a means to attract customers. The one company we focused on was Rockstar Video, who are responsible (and might I add, in a BAD way--though you can be sure it's just my opinion) for the creation of the game "Vice City". We talked about the case where two youngers were arrested for going on a killing spree; and when asked why they did what they did, they cited boredom and being influenced by the aforementioned game. The Chief Operating Officer, of course, stated that it was not his responsibility to parent and that the M rating alone should suffice; otherwise the government would be stifling "free speech" and "creative expression". He also went on to say that the game was for adult males who wanted to release tension. In an age where disregard and disrespect for life is all too rampant, we don't need video games reminding us of the grim realities of life or continuously targeting women and minorities, stating that it's just harmless fun. This is what the two youngsters stated; yet, these people can't come back in the next round. They're dead. This is also something for those interested in marketing to consider, as well.

Sociology can be maddening and interesting...

So this week we're discussing social learning theory (learned and biological behaviors), and it's interesting to note that in almost every society, women are almost always undervalued. In some societies, it's even illegal for a woman to know how to read. The most pervasive idea of all is that women are simply put here for the purpose of bearing children, keeping house, and looking pretty. This is reinforced consciously and subconsciously; "Boys will be boys" while "nice girls stay out of trouble". This ultimately means that little girls aren't expected to raise their voices in jest or in anger, while this type of behavior is "expected" from little boys.

However, what I read was particularly interesting with regard to one of New Guinea's cultures; it is the exact opposite in the Tchambuli culture. The men adorned themselves for festivals and kept house and performed the "traditional" roles that women performed, such as caring for the home and the children. The women went out and worked and hunted for food. When I read that there was a culture out there like that, I was shocked and intrigued. For so many years, we learn what our "roles" are in society; we are not used to having the norms challenged.

Putting together my financial portfolio is somewhat difficult. It requires forethought and planning, ranging from short-term financial goals to long-term financial goals. I know I'll be able to do it, though. I just have to consider how much I'm spending per month (or on a daily basis) and where I want to be in the next 5-1o years.

Finance and Accounting Club....

So I just recently checked the Berkeley Blackboard, and I've discovered that the Finance and Accounting club will have some activities planned for us this quarter. I'm going to email the contact person and find out when these activities are so that I can plan my days off from work accordingly. This will be the first time that I actually get to interact with students face to face on a Berkeley College campus; in the Newark campus, I was just there to do work, and I was gone. This time, I'll be talking with other students and giving my input.

On the classroom side, we have another assessment to take in Sociology. This one deals with social theory, and we were asked to talk about the roles each person in our household fulfilled. Well, my mom was one who was both mother and father because my father was deceased. She managed to raise two of us, work, finish school and graduate. This is part of the reason that I've gone back to school; my mom showed us not just by words, but by action, that if you put your mind to something, you can achieve it.

This discussion on culture is pretty interesting....

So as I posted previously, we've been discussing culture and family and what the two really mean to us, in terms of our experiences, upbringings, and backgrounds. What an interesting revelation has taken place among us. Some of the things that we've been brought up with (belief systems, traditions, customs, etc.) we hold dear, while others we don't necessarily agree with. And what I've been learning about some of my classmates' cultures is pretty interesting, as well. Some of them are not that different from my own, in fact, like one person's cultures views on cohabitation and whether or not that defines a family.

It's interesting because for all of our differences--language, ethnic background, social status--we're really not that different from each other. We all want to live happy, fulfilling lives (some of us with children, some of us without children). A deeper understanding of cultures will point us in the right direction so that we can make the choices that will benefit us (from whether or not we choose to work or stay home with our children).

As far as Finance goes, I've been keeping a log of my spending for about two weeks now, and I'm WELL over the $400 mark. I've seriously got to do better in curbing my expenditures, examining expensive habits and substituting them for less expensive, yet effective, ones. This would help to increase cash inflow and net worth and wealth.

How would you define culture?

So this week in Soc 410, we're being asked to define culture in our own terms. To me, culture is an expression of who you are and the way you're used to living: your norms, your customs, your beliefs, etc. However, it got a little tricky when I was asked to describe my family culture. My family's ethnic background is African American; however, we are so vastly different, even within the family unit. We have so many different beliefs, likes, dislikes, political views, etc., that it's hard to pin down exactly how I would or could define African American culture, even within the unit that I was born into. My brother isn't necessarily religious, but does express a belief in spiritual things; while my mother and I belong to practiced religion, but different organizations.

Even long-held views about the types of music we like, the clothes we wear, or the ways we style our heads of hair, get different responses from among us in the African American community. So Berkeley College, how do YOU define culture? We could even say that the school, itself, is a culture; we adhere to a certain cirriculum of learning, although the subjects we choose to sign up for may be vastly different. We then come together--either via classroom or the Internet via Discussion boards--and exchange these views and point out our similarities, as well as our differences.

In Finance, we were asked to calculate our debt using MSN's money calculator. While it turns out that I'm handling my debt obligations pretty well, I could stand to do more to beef up my savings for the future; as we all know, people are living well into their 90's and 100's and cannot afford the basic necessities. So by preparing now, we can ensure our futures.

Marketing is really interesting.....

We learned in Chapter 1 that marketing is not only the responsibility of the marketing department, but that of the whole organization. And that's very true; as the chapter brought out, a customer can make a marketing decision when he or she is deciding what to buy or what appeals to his or her needs and wants, and can decide whether or not to deal with an organization based on experiences with just ONE member of the staff. For instance, if a customer has a good experience with an employee in a store or other organization, he or she will recommend the business to his or her friends, and there will be not only repeat business from the satisfied customers, but new business from friends and family members.

However, all it takes is one negative experience to do just the opposite, no matter how satisfied the customer has been in the past. A rude employee can do much to hurt the image of a company, no matter how sterling its reputation has been in the eyes of the customer in the past. So all must learn to play a part in effective marketing, from our dealings with customers down to our goods and services. We should try to focus more on the marketing concept--which states that customer satisfaction, not sales, should be our focus as well as meeting organizational goals.

Just thumbing through my Marriage and Families book, I saw some pretty interesting topics for discussion. The first chapter we have to study deals with the changing definition of family from the traditional family (a husband who's the breadwinner; a wife who's the homemaker; and any children that may be in the home). There are other chapters, however, that I believe will challenge what I hold true, and that I may get somewhat perturbed by what the readings are suggesting (one chapter, in particular, has to do with rearing children). But I will remain respectful and courteous of all my classmates and try to explain my beliefs and values in the best way I can. After all, we are all different, and our upbringings don't make us any better or worse than anybody else.

The new quarter's here!!! The new quarter's here!!!!

Man, am I excited about THIS quarter!!!! "What's so different about this quarter?" you might ask. Well, in Finance 305, we're being asked to do something that I don't think I've ever been asked to do before: we are to keep a daily and weekly log of our spending activities. Consequently--and to my dismay--I've discovered that I've been spending WAAAAAAY too much money on snacks and miscellaneous things, and not enough on items that I actually need. So what I hope to take away from this course is how to budget my money wisely, as well as how to make my money grow in the future. (Hey, that might not be a bad topic of conversation for the Finance and Accounting Club: goals regarding how we can spend money wisely and save money for the future.)

Speaking of money, I spent a LOT of it on books for this quarter (well, the books didn't cost that much; it was the expedited shipping fees that put a hole in my pocket). At the same time, though, I didn't owe any balances for the quarter, so the money was available to me to buy the books when I needed them; so this helps me keep abreast of all my current assignments. I just updated my homepage for Soc 410, as per this week's graded homework assignment. And I just have to read Chapter 1 and go over the notes from this week's PowerPoint slide presentation, and I'll be right up to speed. This semester, I'm starting out ahead of the curve.

Speaking of financing and spending wisely, I wonder if we'll touch on the current financial crisis that we're facing in this country right now and how it will affect spending (one of my coworkers has already said that she and her boyfriend have cut down drastically on eating out). Yes, this looks to be a pretty interesting quarter, indeed.