Sorted!

 Hi,

So many people believe that feminism isn't applicable to the modern world. I am a feminist (Not the crazy man hating kind) and I believe that so long as women feel the need to put on makeup instead of just using it to express themselves, and men feel the need to work out just to look the way they think they are expected to look. we have a long way to go. feminism is about being equal. this doesn't mean that women and men should always be treated exactly the same, for example if you want someone to play a character in a film, and the film has more male/female characters in it, your not going to get female/male actors to play the opposite sex just to be equal. that would be silly! the point of feminism is that if a woman and a man go for a job interview then the person that is hired, will only be hired because they are better qualified not because of their sex. there are still glass ceilings and feminism is still an issue. many people believe feminism is a thing of the past with war time suffragette, and women throwing themselves under horses. this is modern day feminism:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHNBGjBtBPg&list=TLKa_BKxuUoKBH8jQ8kE-1MUCs1goZPEYu

And glass ceilings:
  http://metro.co.uk/2013/11/13/the-glass-ceiling-illustrated-in-one-meet-the-staff-web-page-4186032/

So although many women and men think that feminism is Sorted It's not!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzwcF-Vno14&list=PL7W9rLxGqiophlAXPpyEx-hC31VeyfwHD

So what about the people who are effected by this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6LjMyg7-ho

Yep so maybe feminism isn't Sorted. The best thing we can do in this situation is to form our own opinions and beliefs! to do this we need all the information. usually I give you the information but today I will just give you the recourse and let you work it out. What if more people actually had an opinion? on anything!

https://www.google.co.uk/#q=sexist+opinions

I hope you can get all opinionated now.
thanks for listening to my rant!
Bye.

Why I Write This Blog

Hi,

Yesterday I discovered that Googling lessinkyfingers brings my blog up at the top of the page! How cool is that. If you go on Google images then you can see pictures I have used on this blog. I was really surprised how professional it looked. Although I don't update my blog every week or write perfect posts I do put a lot of work into this and I am glad that people are interested in what I have to say. But at the same time many adults don't take me seriously. I am 15 and I am home educated. This means that many 'grown ups' probably find what I have to say silly (because of my age) uneducated (Because I am home educated) and they don't care what I think because I am not even old enough to vote yet. I don't know that's what they think but I have been dismissed because of at least one of these things in the past. I'm not saying it happens all the time or that all adults do this, but it happens enough for it to make a difference. My opinion and my views are not valued or considered just because I am young and Home educated. This happens a lot to people all over the world. people don't listen because they are: young/old/black/white/well educated/uneducated/just different. My Mum sent me this link:

  http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/10/30/12-year-old-suffragette-fires-back-at-nc-gov-for-voter-suppression-i-am-not-a-prop/

The girl from this link is frustrated just like me, and being heard is difficult whoever you are. But for people like me, people who don't want to speak to crowds or lead a revolution. People who just want to be heard and to help. We are not getting a voice. I know I refer to Disney a lot when I talk about being who you want to be and doing what you believe in, but in all seriousness this Disney message is a good one. But its not as easy as that. Because however hard people try they will always care what other people think. And being beaten up for being different isn't something you can just 'get on with' so you can be 'true to yourself'. I think that whoever wrote the Disney message about 'Being yourself no matter what.' can't have been that different or ever had to face a class full of other bored 10 year olds and explain why they are vegetarian. But then if you don't fight for what you believe in, there won't be anyone else to do it for you. I also don't believe that everyone has a person inside them who's the 'real you' and all you have to do is be true to yourself and you will be a good person. Sure there are many things people can't change about themselves, but many characteristics are habits. In other words they are breakable and not permanent characteristics.

So yes doing what you believe in is important, of course it is. But being who you are is easier said than done. Especially if you don't know who you are. I don't know who I am, but I know who I want to be. I will work on that.

Thanks for listening to my rant today.
Until the next time!
Bye
 

How People React To Home Education

Hi,
(I haven't done a blog post this personal before, but I have a point I want to make and the best way I can see to make it, is to refer to my personal experience.)

Home education is a very interesting subject, and I have been home educated for almost 5 years now; but accepting home education is difficult for the children, the parents and everyone else. To explain home education and my views on this I will give you a link to an earlier blog post I wrote, I think this is my best post yet since this is an important subject and writing this I felt I have had my say on home ed.

http://utterlyinvisibleteengirl.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/5-reasons-to-love-home-education-or-not.html

So just 5 years ago being home educated was the last thing I wanted. When my Mum first asked me about it I said, NO WAY! I thought that it would mean being constantly supervised and made to work extra hard. My Mum on the other hand first found out about home ed. when my cousins started it. They are very structured but my auntie thought it was great, and persuaded my parents, to read a book called Free Range Education. The link to the book:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Free-Range-Education-Home-Works/dp/1903458072

When my Dad bought the book my Mum read it and was fascinated. She researched the concept of home education until she was sure it was what she wanted for us all. Many of our friends and family have been opposed to the whole idea but because of my Mum we are now home educated and happy about it. My Dad quickly discovered it and soon I was telling all my friends. Some of them were supportive but most of them were unsure and sometimes even mean about it. I was shocked not only at my friends reaction but also the way their parents disapproved and there are still some people today who 'Are not supposed to hang out with me' because I am home schooled.

Without support from the people we knew Mum looked online, and for the first year of our home ed, we spent a lot of time talking to other home educators, swapping advice stories and support. We went to a weekly home education group and our day was reasonably structured as Mum encouraged us to do 'educational' things like workbooks. We watched documentaries and we did basic schedules keeping some sort of routine. The first 2 years were the hardest, Mum threatened to send us back to school a lot and I had nightmares about going back and about the time I spent there. I hadn't realised how stressed I was until I left. My eczema cleared up, I slept better, got ill less and I had more energy and less worries. after 2 years I hardly got any school dreams any more.

The process of  becoming used to autonomous living and de-stressing is called deschooling.
It took us approximately 2 years.

People always judge quickly and I don't mind people disapproving of my education any more, but it is also none of their business how I choose to live my life, and how my Mum decides to educate her children. We haven't had such a bad time as other people, like the people who were really hurt by school or who have had unhelpful authorities and family. One thing I can say for this experience is I found out who my real friends are.

After almost 5 years I can only just now say that I don't feel that I need to constantly defend my education. I feel proud of it almost. I don't tell people I am Home educated when I first meet them, as I want them to judge me for myself not my education but I guess one day I will feel more comfortable with that too. For now I can say that I am happy enough with my life, and confident enough in my judgement and choice in education and lifestyle that I can proudly say 'I am Home Educated' and not feel that I have to justify it. 

I hope many other home educated children (And their parents) can feel comfortable as I do, and I hope people will not hate us because we are different, but research it, and either change their mind and give us a chance, or challenge us with a reasoned argument.

Bye

Revolution and Voting. Delia Derbyshire

Hi,

So Russell Brand has been political. He said a lot of things in his interview with Jeremy Paxman, (People do tend to say 'things' in interviews) but the two 'things' that caught most peoples attention where 1. He has never voted and 2. He wants to start a revolution. lets talk about that.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGxFJ5nL9gg

People who have never voted / don't vote, often have their political complaints dismissed because 'How can they complain if they don't do anything about it e.g. vote?' But Russell Brand says that he doesn't vote because the voting system doesn't help him or people 'like him'. So he believes it would be pointless and that actually voting would be going along with a system he doesn't believe in.

When it comes to starting a revolution, he mentions the occupy movement. This was hardly given any press coverage. just like the selling of the NHS and the post office which where both sold off quietly after weeks of 'we are about to sell them off' they did it and didn't talk about it on the news until it had all blown over a bit. I am not a mad conspiracy theorist (I hope) but I think that they didn't mention those three events so know one would complain maybe. I haven't read this next link as thoroughly as I usually do but it is interesting.Mad conspiracy:

 http://mentalfloss.com/article/33497/8-government-conspiracy-theories-and-how-they-could-be-right

Interesting recent conspiracy theory:

http://www.thefarrellreport.net/files-report/THE%20FINAL%20REPORT.pdf

OK so if we are being constantly watched or if the government has no clue what they are doing I think it is still important to stand for what you believe in. (Cheesy Disney moment.) I don't have as much faith as I could in the voting system but when I am old enough I will vote because I want to have a say and also it is the least I can do to thank the suffragettes and suffragists who made it possible for my voice to be heard.

Also I missed Ada Lovelace day this year so I will leave a link to the Delia Derbyshire petition please sign it! Especially if you like Doctor Who.

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/154/789/535/publish-delia-derbyshires-music-from-the-bbc-sound-archive/

(Ada Lovelace day is a day to appreciate great women in history. Delia Derbyshire is my favourite great historical woman. She co wrote the Doctor Who theme tune but because she was a woman she didn't get any credit. She influenced electrical music forever and she deserves recognition.)

Bye.

Children Feminism and Role Models: Too Many Links! - Children and Gender Part 2

Hi,

So my last post was about children, prejudice and dressing up. This post is about children, prejudice and feminism. But this is a little different; the last post was about dressing up in stereotypical clothes. This is about inspirational role models and dressing up.

This link is about a girl, whose mum encourages her to dress up as great women throughout history instead of Disney princesses:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2323795/Mother-shuns-Disney-Princess-ideal-dresses-daughter-REAL-heroines-history-commemorate-fifth-birthday.html

I think what I said in the last post, explains what I want to say about how important dressing up and playing pretend is to children’s development, and how it will affect who they become. So I will skip all that. But, what I didn't go into much detail about is the demeaning and prejudice (I am using that word a lot) characters that girls are encouraged, or even restricted to dress up as. Disney Princesses included.
This link is about the effects of Disney on society:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qsy3BblcjCA

This link is called what Disney princesses teach girls but it is also about what Disney princes teach boys:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yAqgatzuT0

But it isn't just Disney who are using weak female role models. Celebrities and movie characters are often anti feminist and bad for body image.
Cameron Diaz talks about having body hair as a bad thing even though it is natural and OK. shaving etc. is a choice, and she is promoting the idea that it's not OK not to shave:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWcaM_Y9Xt8

This is a 'ThosePeskyDames' video about sexism in geek culture.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QrVYDv7hhSQ

Basically young girls are dressing up as girly pathetic Disney princesses instead of strong capable women.
This link should some it up:

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ei6JvK0W60I

This is interesting too:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WyJec7DZyoQ

Here are some good female role models throughout history:

Ada Lovelace: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ada_Lovelace

Amilia Earhart: http://www.ameliaearhart.com/

Hedy Lamarr: http://www.hedylamarr.com/

Marie Curie: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marie_Curie

Delia Derbyshire: http://www.delia-derbyshire.org/

Mary Seacole: http://www.maryseacole.com/maryseacole/pages/

Joan of Arc: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joan_of_Arc

Emmeline Pankhurst: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emmeline_Pankhurst

Boudica: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boadicea

Catherine of Siena: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catherine_of_siena

Eva Peron: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eva_Peron

Rosa Parks: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosa_parks

Jane Austen: http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/austen_jane.shtml

Jane Goodall: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jane_Goodall

Cleopatra: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cleopatra

Beatrix Potter: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beatrix_Potter

There are so many more and also many modern day role models for strong girls.

http://www.angelfire.com/anime2/100import/

Bye.
     

Kid's Toy Ads - Gender and Children - Children and Gender Part 1

Hi,

Today In our Kleeneze catalogue, we found a dressing up box for children. The ad lookes like this:

The page on the right (Page 33) advertises a product called "Dress Up Trunk" which sounds like a good idea; A dressing up box for little children with 5 readymade outfits. You even have a boys or girls option.

 But.... all the boy’s clothes are adventure characters like a pirate, a Native American, a cowboy and a knight. There is also a fireman outfit which is a career character as well. The girls outfits on the other hand are all about looking pretty; a model, a movie star, a princess, a bride and a Ballerina. Although the movie star, the model and the ballerina, (even the princess at a push) are all careers, every one of these characters is pretty, pink, and they all have something to do with looking beautiful. The bride character usually relies on a boy to be groom as well. It is sexist and demeaning, as it implies that being pretty and getting married is all a girl should do, and being active and strong is all boys should do. Why can’t girls be pirates, fire fighters, Native Americans, cowgirls or knights. And why can’ t boys dress up as Grooms, Princes, Movie stars, Models and Ballet dancers too. There are so many things to pretend to be, yet the girls can only be pretty and the boys can only be action heroes.

 I dressed up as a strong action characters when I was little, and I know boys who dressed up as weaker more dressed up characters, when they played pretend. Why is being a strong girl or a pretty boy so unusual? Boys can be ballet dancers and girls can be fire fighters so why can’t they pretend to be these people when they are small? This is just one example of the way people are made to feel they have to be a certain way ‘because’ they are male/female. This tells small children that they must be a pretty and glamorous girl or a strong and adventurous boy; otherwise they won’t be a proper girl/boy because they are wearing the wrong dressing up clothes for their gender.

Maybe they should start selling pirate clothes for girls and ballet clothes for boys. Restricting the character choices is like saying. You’re a girl so you can’t be a pirate/fire fighter etc. Or you’re a boy so you can’t be a Ballet dancer/ model etc. Would you tell a child that they can’t be what they want to be because they are a boy/girl?    

I hope that people start to sell dressing up clothes for children that allows them to be whatever they want. Or maybe they could do historical characters like black beard, Florence Nightingale, Shakespeare and Joan of Arc.

This might seem like a small thing but this happens all the time and people grow up to believe that being a girl restricts you to just being pretty and sweet all the time and being a boy means you have to be active and strong.

Links:

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VqsbvG40Ww

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZn_lJoN6PI

 

Have a nice day

 

 

Bye! 

25 Rules For Children and Computer Problems

Hi,
So I don't want to make a really bad excuse for not updating the blog for ages but this excuse is true. The computer was playing up. So I'm sorry its late but here is my 25 Rules For Children post, that I should have posted ages ago.

Hi,
So I saw this link:

http://shine.yahoo.com/parenting/25-manners-every-kid-should-know-by-age-9-2480238.html

And I thought it was so bad that I wrote my own. If its not completely obvious these are sarcastic, and silly, do not take them seriously.

25 rules for Children

1. Never say please, as you don not want the grown ups to think that you are too good, as they may expect more of you - like doing the washing up!
2. Do not say thank you. If you are too nice they will not be disciplined enough to do whatever you want.
3. Interrupt whenever possible. It shows them who is boss.
4. Do not say things like "Excuse me". They will think they have a choice other than to listen to you.
5. If you want to do something, do not listen to the grown ups. They never understand anything.
6. Do not worry about what your parents like. Make sure they know what YOU like so you can get the best Christmas presents.
7. Do not let your parents know how good they are. Give them a rare smile or a mild grin if you think they've spent enough money on you.
8. If people say "How are you?" tell them all about it, but don't let them tell you about themselves - you haven't got all day.
9. When you have your friends' over instruct them in these rules and even give them a copy to keep.
10. Never knock before entering a room. You need to make people know how important you are and knocking is for small people.
11. When you phone someone make sure that you tell them exactly what you want and if you get interrupted - there is no worse crime!
12. Make sure that they are appreciative of your wonderfulness.
13. If your parents swear make them wash their mouths out. Your ears do not deserve such abuse.
14. Call your parent mean names to make sure they don't get overconfident. Write down the good ones so you can repeat them.
15. Make every day fun and exciting. You only have one life and your parents have already had most of theirs!
16. If a play or show is boring make sure that EVERYONE knows so that they don't make the same mistake again. It's for their own good.
17. If you bump into someone make THEM apologise.
18. Cover your mouth when you sneeze and always make sure that there is an adult nearby to wipe your hand on afterwards.
19. When you walk through a door someone should always hold it for you. If they don't kick up a fuss.
20. If you find your parents working on something, punish them. They shouldn't have time for that as they should be caring for you.
21. If someone asks you a favour you should refuse unless you can benefit.
22. If someone helps you do not thank them. They should do it anyway.
23. Make sure they make your food properly. Do not let them get away with burning or undercooking or any mistakes in anything YOU have to eat.
24. Keep yourself kitted out with an adult and a rucksack (that the adult carries, obviously)at all times so that anything you need when out and about is right at your side.
25. Make sure everything is within reach at mealtimes. You shouldn't have to reach out or ask for anything or risk dipping your sleeves in your perfect meal.

I hope you enjoyed my rules.
Bye