Psychology of Women: Biographical Interview
Select a teenage or adult woman who has contributed positively to your own development. Examples might include family members, friends, colleagues, teachers, coaches, spiritual leaders, or any others who have influenced you in a desirable way. Please choose someone who is currently alive and lucid, as I would like you to interview them for this assignment.
As we discuss in class, women are more likely to engage in “silent heroism” than in boldly conspicuous acts of courage. The result is that many women spend lifetimes quietly helping others while receiving little credit for their actions. One of my goals for the midterm is for you to sit down with a girl or woman you care about and say, “You have made a difference in my life.” I would also like you to ask her questions about her own life. I hope your interview will give you a chance to learn more about her.
For some, it is a struggle to think of a woman who has influenced one’s life in a positive way. If you are in this predicament, please talk with me. It is OK to think creatively. For instance, you might have learned a lot from the bad choices your older sister made. Even if you do not choose to imitate her, she could have contributed positively to your development by showing you what not to do.
Possible interview questions include:
Where were you born?
Who raised you?
Who were important female figures in your life?
What was expected of girls when you were growing up? Who taught you how girls were supposed to behave (e.g., family, friends, religious group, &/or other cultural influences)?
In your lifetime, have you noticed changes in expectations for girls and women? If so, what have you seen shift?
What are your greatest achievements? What has brought you the most happiness in your life?
If you had a time machine, what advice would you give your “younger self”?
How did you feel when I told you that I wanted to interview you for this paper?
Your paper should include a description of how you know the girl or woman you interviewed and the length of your relationship. Please explain how she has influenced you and why you chose to write your paper about her. You should write a 3 – 5 page biography of her life. Note whether her life experiences are consistent with what we have discussed so far in class. If she does not fit with the psychology of women research we have reviewed, what important differences stand out?
The paper should be double-spaced, with 1- to 1.5-inch margins, in a 12-point Times New Roman font. Submit the assignment in rich text format or pdf, via Canvas
Please keep in mind that this is for a women studies class so the paper should highlight the importance of women and what they contribute to families/society.
Solution Preview
Women as Silent Heroes
Women in society often take the position of sources of support, and most people will often credit women in their lives as having played a significant role in their success. In particular, women will often provide support and reason for continued efforts to achieve the success one hopes to achieve, by generally remaining present as one tries to find his way towards such objectives.
(850 words)