Why I did an Honours in Gender and Social Justice
After reading Naomi Wolf’s, The Beauty Myth, during my final year of high school, my affinity of women and their struggles became evident, and my journey as a Women’s Studies student began. Now a 4th Year Women’s Studies major, I have learned and experienced a lot during my time at the University of Waterloo.
Contrary to popular belief, Women’s Studies is not about misandrous women who gather in classrooms and bash on men. Women Studies is actually far from this notion—it is a field of study that takes an interdisciplinary approach to the study of gender. It examines the ways in which women’s and men’s roles in society have been constructed and how these roles have changed and continue to transform on personal, political and transnational levels.
From my personal experience, Women's Studies courses will keep you informed about, and sensitive to, issues of concern to women. You will face these issues in your everyday lives and Women’s Studies courses will help you to understand them!
So, when I look back at my four years as a Women’s Studies student, would I do it all over again? Of course I would. This program was an eye-opening and empowering experience that broadened my horizons. It has provided me with the most well rounded educational experience, with the beneficial twist of examining issues from a feminist perspective. I’m thankful for having experienced it so I can understand why I believe what I do. That’s what Women’s Studies did for me – I’m a proud believer!