insight
04.02.09
oakton
beautiful fabulous maternal make-up thin neat organized pearls shopping cooking cleaning house-wife girl-talk sensitive teacher emotional sweet generous helpful modest accommodating feminine follower glamorous gossip pink
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Gender Studies 101
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Boys
& Girls Transforming traditional gender roles
sex pressure page 4 & 5
ima y d o
modern relationships
gender equality
ge
in this issue:
b
Girls should be skinny. Boys should be athletic. Girls should raise children. Boys should go to work. Girls should not have sex. Boys should ask the girls out. All of these unwritten societal rules put different pressures on both genders in every aspect of their lives. Whether it is the pressure to have sex, date, look a certain way, play sports, or choose a career, these rules shape the decisions that both genders make on a daily basis. In the following stories, we discuss these pressures and their impact on boys and girls in our society.
page 6 & 7
page 8 & 9
page10 & 11
Pressure: pressure to have sex, pressure from guys and girls, pressure of getting STDs, and pressure of teen pregnancy. Being sexually active puts students under a great deal of pressure.
Have you ever felt the pressure to have sex?
Teen sex is a topic of hot debate, some students seem to feel that it is a good to have sex. It can not be prevented, but it can be made safe. There are many factors that contribute to teens deciding to have sex such as curiosity, the need to feel rebellious, peer pressure, or just wanting to do it because others are doing it. “Teen sex should be accepted, being sexually active is natural and teens are curious and just want to explore,” said senior Evan Hayer. The problem with this, is that teenagers do not have the best sense of what they should do. Acting on impulse is something that we are good at. Teens will have sex and not use any sort of contraceptive. Those who do not find them readily available still will have sex because they want to. As most many people know, having sex unprotected can often lead to STDs or teen pregnancy Pressure from Students: Guys vs. Girls Pressure to have sex is something that all teenagers have to worry about at some point in their high school career. Both guys and girls have to deal with the negatives and positives of the matter. All around, students, at Oakton, or any other high school in the country, are talking about sex. This is the age for sexual activity, it’s the time in life when young teenagers begin to explore their sexuality. Guys: Does it really matter?
Insight surveyed 113 students using SurveyMonkey in a voluntary format.
- erik gunther, staff writer, can be reached at erik.gunther@ oaktonmedia.net
04
The question of whether or not to have sex is far different for guys than it is for girls. They tend to have less issues with other guys when talking about it. Guys just don’t seem to care as much about the issue. If a boy talks about having sex, other boys tend to think they are cool. If they talk about how they don’t have sex, either they can be sometimes seen as not cool, or that it just doesn’t matter. “Yeah, it is whatever, I do not care if my friends have sex. It is not that big of a deal,” said sophomore Minir Kamani. Sex for guys either just happens or it doesn’t. It seems as though it is no big deal. It’s all just a popularity contest for guys, but in the end, no one seems to care.
Girls: It’s sort of a big deal. For girls, having sex is a far different issue than it is for guys. Girls seem to have to deal with far more criticism from both guys and girls than guys do. If a girl has sex, she is often seen by other girls and guys in a bad way. “When girls talk about having sex, they probably just want attention. Maybe they are not getting enough, so they go to extremes to get that acceptance,” said freshman Meera Arora. It would seem that girls who are not sexually active would be seen in a more positive way, but even they are criticized just as much as girls who are. “I think its stupid. I mean, it is high school, we are supposed to experience things,” said junior Meghan Freeman. “Do not even pretend I am the only one who thinks that.” Either way for a girl, it seems that when it comes to the decision of whether to have sexual intercourse or not, it always seems to end in a negative. This puts seemingly more stress on girls when it comes to this issue, than it does guys. Teen Pregnancy: When it comes to teen pregnancy, there are only a few choices: having the baby, giving it up for adoption, or having an abortion. No matter what, there will be some sort of criticism. All that some pregnant teens can hope for is the support of peers, which in some cases, does not happen. “Teen pregnancy is bad, it will ruin you’re life if you do not have support,” said sophomore Liz Mongrovejo. The pressure of being alone is one of the major pressures a pregnant teen has to deal with, its far worse for a girl than a guy. Its not an easy concept to live with. Many pregnant teen girls are left to feel alone and will sometimes leave school so that they are not criticized for the way they look after they become pregnant. “If you get pregnant, you let it happen,” said junior Philip Tom. “You can not blame others for your mistakes. It takes two to tango, it is you’re body and your decision.”
Boys & Girls
The Real Answer Uncovered:
cougar quotes
What Some Students May Not Know
Should parents purchase contraceptives for their teenagers? Yes, I think it wouldbe awkward, but considering the statistics for teen sex, it makes sense that they should.
I am available to speak and assist students who may have health questions or concers. Generally i try to be at Oakton two days a week, Mrs. Lutz can help students get in touch with me to talk confidentially.
- zak goldberger, soph.
- tracey paterno, public health nurse
Yes, because even if they do not have sex, it encourages them to have safe sex when they finally do. It also encourages honest and open communication about - gwen brown, jr. sex.
The Answer: The Question:
Can you (the public health nurse) give out contraceptives to students if they come to you and ask you?
f
No, because it basically implies that they can have sex and it encourages them to do so.
- wendy xue, soph.
Also, students may not know that when the public health nurse is not in, they can talk to the school nurse, Mrs. Lutz confidentially and schedule for a time to meet and talk to the public health nurse.”
2th Graders in
FC P
Yes, teenagers have too many hormones to make good decisions, parents need to step in and make that decision for them. - cindy chao, sr.
Yes. If the teens are sexually active, the contraceptives would protect them from consequences that would effect their future. - marla schrettner, sr.
S Depo-provera - 1%
Co ntr ac e
pt i
ve
U
o se
tive 1 c A y ll xua e S
“Students can come to me and can speak to me in a confidential manner about health issues such as mental health, sexually transmitted diseases, substance abuse, and birth control,” said Tracey Paterno, the public health nurse here at Oakton.
Condoms - 60%
-civia stein, jr.
% -8
d
ith
W
l wa a r
Yes, they should because it’s their job to protect their children. Teenagers are going to have sex regardless of what they are told by their parents, so it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Yes for Girls 26.5%
%
r-3 Othe
Not Sure - 4% No M
etho
Yes for Guys 19%
d-9
%
Birth Control Pills - 16%
Would Having Contraceptives at your disposal make you more likely to engage in sex? Source: Fairfax County Youth Survey
April 02, 2009
05
Dating: Just a game of he said, she said Even just the definition of dating has changed between our generation and the one before ours. What is the process of dating in your own words?
? n a e ’m
g n i t a s ‘d
e o d hat
W
allison corser, jr.
farshin yeganeh, sr. “[Dating is] basically going and having a fun night out or something. [It’s] enjoying each other’s company together.” “It’s when you take someone out who you want to like you.”
katie smith, jr.
anthony schiavo, jr.
“When two people go out enough that their parents start cracking jokes about it.”
“I think if you go out with a guy on more than one date then you’re dating him, but it’s not an official relationship unil he asks you to be his girlfriend.”
taylor vogelzang, soph. “[It’s] two people that are Facebook official.”
“First friendship, then interest in more than friendship. Then exclusively dating and beyond that you either continue dating or you stop dating.”
jeanine musgrove, science teacher
sajan moktan, sr. “First you meet a girl and become friends. Then you bond and eventually ask her out. Then after a few dates you get into a relationship. Then you hold hands and kiss. Then you care for her and love her and protect her.”
Myth Busters Myth: Girls only like to date older boys. There are lots of myths when it comes to preference of dating between boys and girls. Nice guys don’t get dates. Boys only like to date shorter girls. But when it comes to senior Raquel Garces and junior Caleb Dyke, these myths don’t matter. Even though Garces is in a higher grade level than Dyke, their relationship is just like any other couple’s of the same age, or one where the girl is younger. “You don’t really notice it after a while,” Dyke said. While they have successfully avoided the stereotype, Garces still felt the effects of defying it at the beginning of the relationship. “People made fun of [me] at first and it was kind of annoying,” Garces said. Despite the initial teasing, their unconventional relationship is still going strong. The difference in age has even become unimportant to both of them. “Once people get over [the age difference], it becomes pretty unnoticeable and no one really cares anymore.” Garces said. Dyke even thinks of their age difference as a good thing. “It’s pretty tight dating an older girl,” Dyke said. “Guys are like, ‘way to go’.”
amanda herman
Senior Raquel Garces and junior Caleb Dyke sit together in the morning to play on her GameBoy. Garces and Dyke defy the stereotype that girls only like to date older boys and that boys like dating younger girls. “Guys are like, ‘way to go’,” Dyke said.
Do you think that chivalry SHOULD still exist with the current generation of high school students?
You said:
farshin yeganeh, sr.
jill burke, sr.
“I feel a woman has all the rights to do she pleases, but “Although I as a it is pertinent that we show rewhy women would be against a guy spect in offering the . I feel that the of them because they want to feel strong, I guy should be a gentleman and do these things, but if think it’s so much better in type of the girl does not like this idea I’m all for their women’s situation in which the man takes care of the woman.” rights thing. Sometimes [girls] feel they don’t want to be because of the fact - amanda herman, staff writer, can be reached at amanda. that they’re girls but they should be treated with the herman@oaktonmedia.net same that any guy should want in return.”
gentleman kindly stuff
care
respect and understand taking traditional
17.8% NO
82.2% YES
treated differently respect
08
Boys & Girls
amanda herman
The First Date: What are you thinking? Senior Caity Edwards and junior Anthony Schiavo know what it’s like to be in the dating world. They don’t date each other, but they have gone on several dates within the past few years. Insight asked them to reveal what goes on in their heads while they’re on a date. The differences between the boys’ view and the girls’ is evident in their responses.
I wonder if this will lead anywhere or if it’s just a one time thing.”
At Dinner
Caity- “What should I order? Is he paying?
Should I get something cheap? A salad or a burger? What he would think if I ordered a salad?”
Anthony- “I’m going to stay away from
messy foods and pasta.”
April 2, 2009
Caity- “Should I let him pick the
movie? I don’t want to see a gory movie. Is he paying for this too? He should enjoy the movie. I will just go with what he wants.”
During the movie
I don’t date - 26.8%
Caity- “Are we doing commentary? Don’t laugh too hard because that would be embarrassing. His hand is close to mine… should I hold it?
Will he make a move on me?” Anthony- “This is a pretty funny movie.”
Driving her home
every time - 1.4%
boys:
Caity- “I wonder if he’ll ask me out I don’t date - 11.9%
Anthony- “Concentrating on driving...”
usually - 7%
I say something? Am I talking too much or is he not talking enough? I don’t want to seem too talkative, but this silence is kinda awkward.”
never - 16.9%
Caity- “Should
Driving to the Movies Anthony- “Does she think I’m funny?”
girls:
never - 2%
Driving to Dinner
How often do you pay on a date?
every time - 38%
Caity - “Wow, this is a little unexpected.
sometimes - 47.9%
Let’s go here.”
usually - 31%
Anthony - “She’ll say yes. Keep it brief.
We Asked, You Answered
sometimes - 16.7 %
Asking Her Out
again. Do I want him to? What do I do when he walks me to the door; a goodbye hug? ...kiss? Does he initiate this or do I?” Anthony- “That was a pretty funny movie.” - amanda herman, staff writer, can be reached at amanda. herman@oaktonmedia.net
09
A Do you think that schools should offer the T same number of girls’ H sports as boys’ sports? L girls’ response E 15.6% No T I 84.4% Yes C S boys’ response 32.4% No
Q: How has Title IX affected Oakton in the last 40 years? A:
I think that the basic idea behind Title IX was that the girls had equal access to sports and I think probably our field hockey field is the best field hockey field in the county. We hold region field hockey tournaments here. Our facilities have really improved. The athletics director lighting is directly correlated to Title IX so that girls didn’t have to play games on the baseball field only in the afternoons. Then obviously our girls teams here are as competitive or more competitive as our boys teams. girls baseball, girls swim, cross country fifth in state. So obviously we have great girls teams here.
Q:How did Title IX exactly change was it just more funding? A:
If you had a freshman jv in boys basketball, that means you had to have freshman and jv teams for girls. You have to have equal access. For instance, wrestling would be kind of an example. If you wanted to go out for the wrestling team as a girl you could. We could have a girls wrestling team but there’s not the demand for it. Very similar to girls lacrosse, at one point there was only boys lacrosse that played. Girls lacrosse came in shortly after. Again, it was an access equity issue. That’s how girls lacrosse got started.
Q:Does Oakton meet Title IX requirments? A:
Its not done at Oakton, its done at the county level. Basically with that is participation numbers. If participation numbers are off, someone could bring a law suit against us saying that we don’t offer equal access and opportunities. At Fairfax County right now, we look at the total number of male athletes and female athletes in all the sports and right now it’s very close. We may even have more female athletes than male athletes.
Q:Do you think women get eqaul oppurtunities at Oakton? A: — Prohibits sexual
Without a doubt. as many people girls basketball games Which is very uncomCounty or anywhere. I the amount of people Richmond, the amount our girls got. That competitive our girls Count our banners. be more girls than boys
Q: A:
Do you spend boys and girls
Title IX facts
en are stronger than women. Therefore women should not play sports. This statement was often believed and frequently referenced by many for most of American history prior to 1972. After the introduction of Title IX, women were given equal opportunities in most schools and sports leagues across the nation. Athletics director Peter Duperrouzel discusses the affects of Title IX on Oakton athletics over the past 40 years.
peter duperrouzel
M
SEPARATE
but
discrimination from education or activities receiving federal funding — Enacted on June 23, 1972 by Congress — Female participation in high school athletics has increased 944% since ‘72
You probably saw if not more at our than our boys, mon, in Fairfax think you saw by that went to of support that really shows how sports teams are. There may even awards up there.
equally for sports?
We have two different fundraisers [for boys and girls clubs] and source: usdoj.gov a general boosters account. The teams actually make more money than the boosters do, and when they make money for [their club] that is for them. Each team raises their own money and for the general boosters it is facility based. So we spend money on the fields, but both boys and girls have access to the fields.
Q:Are club sports exempt from Title IX requirments? A:
It depends on the team and season, in the fall the football team got the majority of the attention. In the winter it was girls basketball team. In spring we tend to mix it up, the girls lacrosse team is coming off three state championships and boys are always competitive. Both of our soccer teams will get about an equal amount of attention.
67.6% Yes
Q: What changes have you witnessed in women’s athletics as a result of Title IX? A:
The opportunities are better and the athletes are better. Girls now train year round, go to trainers, they are better trained, better coached, have access to better facilities, we don’t have people who are “secondary coaches” coaching the girls. Some of our best coaches coach our females. As someone who got to coach boys and girls – I coached football, girls basketball and girls lacrosse – so I got both sides of the equation. That gives me a better perspective of my job and to have both coached sexes and know the issues involved. The perception I think is always there that the girls are being slighted, and at least at Oakton we try as hard as we can to break that conception and treat them as good or better than the boys here.
10
Boys & Girls
EQUAL? nurse
F
A:
My dad went there, and I had a lot of family members that went there. Whenever I went to all of the games I really loved the environment. It’s a great sense of camaraderie. It’s a tough time but it is a great experience to have.
Q:How physically demanding is the naval
academy?
A:
It is very physically demanding. You have to take a physical test to get in. That is part of the normal application so they could deny you right off the bat if you don’t pass. Then you have to show up on July 1 and do six weeks of boot camp to get in shape before the school year starts. Each quarter you have to take a physical test.
Q:How academically demanding is the naval academy?
A: Q:How many girls attend the naval academy? A: — All students earn a
It is equivalent to an Ivy League school. It is a very demanding environment. You are lucky if you are not failing. They have a very high graduation rate though because all of the teachers are very helpful.
naval academy
It’s 20% girls there.
bachelor’s of science degree upon graduation — Students are referred to as midshipmen — Student-facutly ration is 7:1 — Students recieve a month long summer vacation source: usna.edu
April 02, 2009
Q: How did this statistic affect your choice to apply there?
A:
It was something to think about and if I decide to go there I want to try and be on the girls lacrosse team or field hockey team so that I have one part of my day where I am not completely surrounded by guys. It does prepare you for the real world in a way because men run most businesses. It’s good to be able to figure out how to interact with that sort of environment and step up and show that girls can do the same stuff as guys.
C A R E E R S
Q: Why do you want to be an elementary school teacher?
karlan cruz, sr.
sarah beth rupp, sr.
Q: Why did you choose to apply to the naval academy?
A:
I have found that I get along with kids really well. I have tutored a couple of kids before in my neighborhood so I think I am pretty capable. The other part of teaching that isn’t as much fun, like grading papers, I don’t think I would mind very much.
Q:
Do you think there is any prejudice based around being a male teacher?
A:
I think there is some prejudice based around it, but, at the same time, its something I probably wouldn’t care about. It wouldn’t affect me enough to change what I want to do. I’m sure it’s what I want to do, and I’ve got it all planned out.
Q:What are you planning on majoring in? A:
I am planning on majoring in English or Psychology and then becoming a teacher after that.
Q:Do you think as a man it willteacher? be harder for you to be a — Males comprised 24.4 percent of schoolteachers A: I don’t think so at all.
in 2006 — In Virginia, they comprised 18.8 percent of all schoolteachers in 2006 — Men who work in public school districts are mostly administrators, 81 percent of superintendents are male source: seattlepi.com
fast facts
doctor
lipping through the channels on TV 50 years ago, you might come across shows featuring the perfect housewife who patiently awaits her husband’s return every evening. Whether Lucy was waiting for Ricky Ricardo’s familiar call of “Honey, I’m home!” or Donna Reed was baking a delicious home-cooked meal for her family, the image portrayed across America’s TV screens during that era made it clear that the proper place for a woman was at home and the proper place for a man was at work. Since then, women have fought against this stereotypical image to become successful leaders of our nation. Both women and men have worked hard over the past halfcentury to break the gender barrier and become less separate and more equal. Below are stories of how two students plan on breaking down that gender barrier in the near future.
Q: Why do you want to teach elementary school instead of middle school kids?
A:
High school kids aren’t that nice. Kids in elementary school, specifically fifth or sixth grade which is what I want to teach, are mature enough where you could still talk to them but they are not completely out of control. - ellie kaufman, academics editor, can be reached at elena.kaufman@oaktonmedia. net
11