Making Connections: Literacy and EAL Curriculum from a Feminist Perspective (1996)

C. Analyzing Media

To do the work in this section, choose some examples of media images of working women. A number of feature- length films, such as Working Girl, 9 to 5 and Norma Rae, portray women at work in various capacities, in traditional roles and rebelling against these roles. In films and in real life, key supporting personnel such as wives, mothers and secretaries are often given minor roles.

There are many television programs which show women working at home and at many different kinds of jobs. These programs can serve as wonderful discussion starters. You might also want to look at TV commercials that show women working. Whatever the medium (film, television, popular songs, magazine images), the questions suggested below may help learners focus their thinking on women in the workplace.

1. Guided discussion

* Some questions to consider:

What do you notice about the women you see here?
What are the women doing?
Are the women respected by others? Why? Why not? How can you tell?
Do you think this portrayal of women is accurate? Do you think it's realistic? Why? Why not?
What do you think the audience is meant to think or feel after seeing this film/reading this story/ seeing this advertisement?
What's the main idea of the film/TV show/ advertisement? Do you agree with the main idea? Do you think it's fair to women?
Why was this made? What should you think or want as a result of seeing it?
If you could change anything about it, what would you change, and why?
What and who are missing from it? Why?

D. Song: "Bosses' Lament"

This song is recorded on the cassette tape included with this book.

Bosses' Lament
by Terry Dash

Well I don't know what to make of it, just where it all will end
I haven't been so mortified since early 1910
Well I've heard of war and famine, but things got really hard
When the ladies at my office got hold of union cards

CHORUS:
Whatever will we do, whatever on this earth
When all the secretaries demand what they are worth?

My girl she runs the office, You know that's what girls do
She does her job, yes, very well, and most of my job, too
But it's certainly outrageous, it's completely out of line
When she demands a salary commensurate with mine

	CHORUS:
Now my secretary tallies up the things that I must do She keeps a list of all my friends, so I'll know who is who My lord if she should leave me, oh how would I survive? I haven't made a phone call since 1945

	CHORUS:
Now there's rumors of a walkout, rumours of a strike rumors of a picket, a slowdown and the like But I've got my survival plan, in case of storm and strife. Here's how I'll get the job done, I'll give it to my wife.

	CHORUS:
Well I've had about enough of this, I just can't comprehend Whoever do they think they are to organize like men? Well I believe in order, the tried and trusted norm I'll damn well see her fired if I can find the form
	CHORUS: (twice)


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