In reading the text this week, there is just so much that I could speak to. This idea of gender is so much “a part of us” that we do not often realize (as our text states) that it “is constantly created and re-created out of human interaction, out of social life, and is the texture and order of that social life.” However, mirroring culture, gender depends on human production to sustain itself. And, we do! There is an interesting YouTube video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWc1e3Nbc2g) showing an interview with several children (approximately 3-5 years old) being asked specific questions as it relates to gender stereotypes.
One area that I found interesting as it relates to gender roles is in the media. How many of you watched Disney films? I know that I did and so did my children. How many of those movies would you consider to be gender neutral? Well, it seems as if they are attempting to steer clear of all princesses and transition to more neutral ground. This would be a positive move, right? With this move to the princess-free zone, comes also the girl-free zone. Very few, if any, films will probably be produced with girls. Pixar actually has its first girl centric film, Brave, set to release next June. It will be interesting to see what they will do with this film.
Continuing on this theme of gender roles and media, I ran across a great TedTalks film featuring Joanna Blakley in which she speaks on the matter of social media and the end of gender (http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/johanna_blakley_social_media_and_the_end_of_gender.html). After watching this film, I’m curious to know your thoughts about media (social or otherwise) and the role of women.
Like you Julie, I found this week's discussion to be very interesting! I really like your story you shared in class about your work experience with sexism. It goes to show that sexism still exists today and we need to do something about it!
ReplyDeleteSadly, I have not watched any of the movies that most of my peers have grown up watching. But I do know what you are talking about. I'm kind of interested in how Pixar came up with that idea. One of my favorites are Ice Age and A Bug's Life! A Bug's life does involve a male figure saving a female figure though. But compared to what I've seen and heard of from the princess movies I think we are slowly on the right path, provided that they meet our expectations and not send out other messages! I think the media is too focused on making women 'vulnerable', and the weird part is we've been buying into it for the past few decades, if not longer.
ReplyDeleteI am so over Disney films. As an adult, it's sad to say that I still have been watching Disney channel, but lately I haven't because I noticed something about the girls that are on Disney. These young girls who start out on Disney almost always grow up too fast and become some wild teenager, for example Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus. Nothing in this world is going to keep our little ones from being uninfluenced by the media.
ReplyDeleteI grew up watching Disney movies also and its true that most of the girl characters are in distress and in need of a "man's" help. This may reinforce the idea that women always need a man around to help them but as we grow up we realize that we don't. The media portrays women as sex symbols, submissive, less intelligent than men and society takes these images and makes them into a standard. This is what a woman should be and if you're not you are criticized. I think maybe more movies like Mulan (where she breaks out of the conformity that society has placed on her), and UP (in which the little girl wasn't stereotypical) would be able to show kids that gender doesn't define them and what they do. That being a girl doesn't mean the one who cleans the house, cooks, and takes care of the baby. Being a female pertains to our biological differences from males. It doesn't mean we have to act a certain way or be treated differently.
ReplyDeleteThe woman from the TED talk made an interesting point about how once women become more involved in the media most stereotypes will be contested and not just sexist stereotypes. It will be interesting to see how our institutions will respond to this type of change. Will they hold on to dear life for the old, patriarchal way or will they adapt to the demographic changes? Ironically, it is the capitalist market and its evolving market signals that is helping change the way we think about gender and other stereotypes and forcing our institutions to adapt to the future.
ReplyDeleteJulie, i just watched the "Brave" trailer. It was very interesting. I could not really tell what the movie would be about but with Pixar's approach to a "girl centric" film. It was interesting to see the image they are painting--a strong, beautiful and independent fighter.
ReplyDeleteAnd what will women do when they gain more influence? Will they break stereotypical molds? I hope there is an empowering of women rather then creating another label on women