Intro to Global Studies Blog #1

  In reading the course text "Globalization", we read an article Childbirth at the Global Crossroads, which spoke about surrogacy primarily in India. This topic very much intrigues me as it is something I never thought to much about until this class. It is also something that after further analysis I feel strongly about. Surrogacy in India as discussed in the article is popular among Indian women as it pays them more than they would receive working another job. In the book it is discussed that the average monthly income from an Indian male was $25 whereas a women who was a surrogate would earn $3,600-$5,600 depending on whether the surrogate got pregnant with twins or not. This is a significant increase in household income of a typical Indian family. Women of consent then have to stay in the facility for nine months and are not allowed to have any sexual relations with their husbands until the baby has been born.  There seems to be a lot of controversy around this topic of w...

  In reading the course text "Globalization", we read a chapter on the market trends in skin lightening and how they are targeted to different classes. There has been an increase in the demand and diversity of skin lightening products offered in different countries due to the increase of globalization. For example, in India before 1991 there was about only two options for skin lighteners and now there are thousands. Technology has allowed for online forums to take place and here women have the chance to discuss what products works best for them. This is not just one race that feels this way about skin lightening. It is found all over the world: East Asia, Latin America, Southeast Asia, India, Africa, North America, and Europe. I find it both disturbing and curious that skin is thought of by many races as a type of fixed capital. Never before have I thought of my skin as anything but skin, and thus the reason I find this topic intriguing. It surprises me that women with beaut...