Elevator Speech

If women's studies centers on women's lives, it is anti-male?

Women’s studies are not anti-male simply because it centers around women’s live. All of history has been portrayed through a predominately white, male gaze. Women’s studies work to analyze history through a female perspective. By changing perspectives, you are able to gain an understanding of the inequality marginalized demographics experience. Women’s studies don’t attempt to eliminate men from the picture or seek to blame all social injustices on men. It simply provides a different way to critically analyze our society.

Given the enormous progress women have made over the past three decades, why would you need a degree in women's and gender studies?

While the women’s movement has made great strides over the past decades, women still have a long way to go. Domestic violence against women in America continues to be an epidemic. In the U.S., a woman is assaulted by an intimate partner every 9 seconds. Also, rape culture is still extremely prevalent in the U.S., seeing as 1 in 6 American women will be the victim of sexual violence in her lifetime. On a global scale, women in other countries and cultures are denied healthcare and education. Women’s and gender studies seeks to help women globally and is not limited to issues specifically experienced by U.S. women.

What kind of employment can you find with a degree in women's and gender studies?

Because women’s and gender studies requires its students to look at our society through a critical lens, students in the major are equipped with critical thinking skills that can be applied to any occupation. Graduates with a degree in women’s and gender studies have gone on to become social service workers, midwives, researchers, or pursue careers in women’s health or human services. It’s also important to note that most adults in today’s job market have fluid career paths as opposed to stable careers. It’s important to be adaptive.

Is women's and gender studies biased because it has a political agenda?

Although women’s and gender studies are centered around the lives of women, it is still aiming towards equality. Women’s studies focus on inequalities faced by all oppressed demographics while working to create solutions for these issues. It is not functioning to only benefit women’s lives; the program is functioning to create a positive environment for all people.

Do women's studies create victims by arguing that women are victimized in different ways?

Women’s studies do not create victims by arguing that women are victimized in different ways. It brings to light the ways in which women are in danger in our society and seeks ways in which we can make our society a safer place for women. Rather than breeding victims, it makes victimization more recognizable and raises awareness of the issues women and other marginalized groups face.