This week I am going to blog about an episode of Made on MTV. This particular episode was about a young girl in high school named Amy who wanted to be made into a girly girl. Her reason for desiring this change were because she wanted to be more popular, have boys want to go on dates with her, and to be more confident. Also, she wanted to no longer live in the shadow of her older brother and sister. Amy’s older brother had graduated a few years previously but had left a lasting impression on the school. She was known as “Phil’s little sister” by both teacher’s and peers. Her older sister was a skinny, pretty, cheerleader who was very popular and had “the perfect football player boyfriend.” Amy’s older sister was Amy’s ideal image of the perfect girly girl.
The fact that Amy felt like she need to be a stereotypical girly girl for boys to like her and even so she could be confident shows how present and influential gender roles are in our society. Amy could not be confident when she was being true to herself. She felt that in order to be accepted and welcomed by her peers she need to dress, act, and present herself in a certain way, even if that was as something she was not.
Amy said that her main reason for wanting to be made into a girly girl was so that she could be more confident at school. She did not say that she wanted to learn about herself and learn how to be confident with her own personality and body. She wanted to force herself to epitomize an ideal feminine girl. This shows that in our world girls feel like they have to be a certain way not only so that they can be liked by their peers but so they can be liked by themselves.
Amy’s second reason for wanting to be made into a pretty girly girl is so that boys will like her. This shows that males are interested in girls who are pretty, and girly, and wear make-up and cute clothes. Nowhere in this episode does it point out that she should be smart, or friendly, or caring, or sincere. Apparently those are not things boys care about.
Throughout this episode there are many subtle and not so subtle indication of how a female she be dressing, acting, and speaking in order to be appropriately filling her gender role. The most evident example of this is when her father says how he would like his daughter to behave. He says he would like to see her act more “refined, you know, feminine.” This statement clearly shows the way this man considers women. He is saying that in order for his daughter to be considered feminine, she needs to change her outgoing and vibrant personality and be more reserved and modest.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Sex and the City
This week I have chose to blog about an episode of Sex and the City. In this episode the four main female characters worry about their “numbers” (meaning how many sexual partners they have had). During the episode, it is brought up that while men are praised and considers “studs” when they have a high number; women are frowned upon and considered promiscuous. While this is a somewhat old idea and has been heavily discussed it is still a strong message that says a lot as far as gender is concerned.
In this episode both men and women consider their “numbers.” Their reaction and sensitivity to the topic says a lot about their perception of it. For instance when the women talk about the “numbers” they are very reluctant to give an exact amount and try to be as vague as possible while talking about it. The men on the show that engage in these conversations though are very nonchalant and don’t appear to be uncomfortable like the women.
At one point during the episode a man and woman are talking to each other about the topic. The woman says “no, no I can’t; I have never told anyone my number before” and the man simply gives a rough estimate shrugging his shoulders when she seems surprised he doesn’t know the exact number. This scene was an excellent example of the difference between a man and a woman’s take on the idea. The woman are all worried about what it means about their characters and them as people while the men consider it for a few moments and then start thinking about something else without giving it a second thought.
Another example of how women are more sensitive than men about the topic of sex and multiple partners is evident in the reactions of other women to Samantha’s (one of the leading characters) numerous sexual partners. A few of the women who live in her building confront her about all of her overnight male guest and their disappointment is very obvious. This shows that even women themselves don’t accept that idea that it is okay for them to engage in the same sexual behavior that men do (or at least the same amount of it).
Keeping in tune with this idea, the episode also draws attention to the idea that while women don’t think it is okay for themselves to have many sexual partners they do accept and even expect men to be extremely sexually active. For example, when Carrie (the main character) has been seeing a man for about a week and has not slept with him yet she doesn’t understand what is wrong with him. When she tells her friends about it they immediate assume that he is gay or has “mommy issues.” If the situation were reversed, and the woman was the one who didn’t want to have sex the man would probably not have given it a second though. He certainly would not have assumed she has “issues”.
In this episode both men and women consider their “numbers.” Their reaction and sensitivity to the topic says a lot about their perception of it. For instance when the women talk about the “numbers” they are very reluctant to give an exact amount and try to be as vague as possible while talking about it. The men on the show that engage in these conversations though are very nonchalant and don’t appear to be uncomfortable like the women.
At one point during the episode a man and woman are talking to each other about the topic. The woman says “no, no I can’t; I have never told anyone my number before” and the man simply gives a rough estimate shrugging his shoulders when she seems surprised he doesn’t know the exact number. This scene was an excellent example of the difference between a man and a woman’s take on the idea. The woman are all worried about what it means about their characters and them as people while the men consider it for a few moments and then start thinking about something else without giving it a second thought.
Another example of how women are more sensitive than men about the topic of sex and multiple partners is evident in the reactions of other women to Samantha’s (one of the leading characters) numerous sexual partners. A few of the women who live in her building confront her about all of her overnight male guest and their disappointment is very obvious. This shows that even women themselves don’t accept that idea that it is okay for them to engage in the same sexual behavior that men do (or at least the same amount of it).
Keeping in tune with this idea, the episode also draws attention to the idea that while women don’t think it is okay for themselves to have many sexual partners they do accept and even expect men to be extremely sexually active. For example, when Carrie (the main character) has been seeing a man for about a week and has not slept with him yet she doesn’t understand what is wrong with him. When she tells her friends about it they immediate assume that he is gay or has “mommy issues.” If the situation were reversed, and the woman was the one who didn’t want to have sex the man would probably not have given it a second though. He certainly would not have assumed she has “issues”.
Friday, March 27, 2009
What I Like About You
This week I will be writing my blog about an episode of the TV sitcom What I Like About You. This show is centered on a high school girl (Holly) who is living with her older sister. In this particular episode her older sister, Val is in a strange position because she eloped with a man (Vic) one night after drinking and now that they are married she is starting to fall in love with him (she hated him at first). A little background on Val is that she was previously engaged to a man named Rick and was suppose to marry him one year ago on Thanksgiving (the episode takes place on Thanksgiving day). Rick is now married to another woman.
Val’s friend, Lauren, is falling in love with a married man she met in an online poker chat room but she has never met him in person yet. Lauren says that she is so interested in this man because he is funny, sweet, sensitive, honest, caring, sincere, and a good listener. This statement sends out a gender message because it is saying that this is what women are looking for in a man. They want someone who isn’t unafraid to show emotion, even though typically, men think they should never show/talk about their feelings because women will things it is feminine or they are less of a man. On Thanksgiving morning she plans to meet him and it turns out to be Rick. They are upset at first but then once they start talking they end up kissing even though Val is Lauren’s best friend and Rick is married to someone else.
Another message sent out in this episode goes along with the first one. Vince (Holly’s boyfriend) spends the whole episode drooling over an old friend of Vic’s that comes over to the apartment for Thanksgiving dinner. The woman is beautiful and while Lauren (women) is interested in the emotions and feelings of a man Vince (men) is solely focused on her beauty. This sends the message that men are only interested in physical attractiveness, not a woman’s personality.
Towards the end of the evening Val ends up finding out about Lauren. Everyone is terrified when she does and assumes she is going to go crazy or have an emotional breakdown right then and there. This is sending the message that women are highly emotional and unstable because it is expected by everyone that she will be so upset. In actuality though, she is not upset about hearing about Rick, just that Lauren betrayed her. Val surprises everyone by appearing (and being) completely over Rick and their broken engagement.
On a final note, there is one more gender message in this show/episode that has to do with women in the workplace. Val owns her own a business and is very successful with it. While at first this may appear to be sending the message that women are just as equal to men in the business world and so forth, but actually it is sending the message that women belong doing feminine things. Val’s business is a bakery/cupcake shop. Baking is typically seen as a feminine or domestic thing. Women are expected to do it, not men. So, while Val is out making herself a career we still view her as a stay at home mother figure because she is spending the day baking in a bakery with pink and purple walls and big cupcakes everywhere. Even though she is spending a large portion of her airtime at “work,” we still see her in a domesticated sort of way.
Val’s friend, Lauren, is falling in love with a married man she met in an online poker chat room but she has never met him in person yet. Lauren says that she is so interested in this man because he is funny, sweet, sensitive, honest, caring, sincere, and a good listener. This statement sends out a gender message because it is saying that this is what women are looking for in a man. They want someone who isn’t unafraid to show emotion, even though typically, men think they should never show/talk about their feelings because women will things it is feminine or they are less of a man. On Thanksgiving morning she plans to meet him and it turns out to be Rick. They are upset at first but then once they start talking they end up kissing even though Val is Lauren’s best friend and Rick is married to someone else.
Another message sent out in this episode goes along with the first one. Vince (Holly’s boyfriend) spends the whole episode drooling over an old friend of Vic’s that comes over to the apartment for Thanksgiving dinner. The woman is beautiful and while Lauren (women) is interested in the emotions and feelings of a man Vince (men) is solely focused on her beauty. This sends the message that men are only interested in physical attractiveness, not a woman’s personality.
Towards the end of the evening Val ends up finding out about Lauren. Everyone is terrified when she does and assumes she is going to go crazy or have an emotional breakdown right then and there. This is sending the message that women are highly emotional and unstable because it is expected by everyone that she will be so upset. In actuality though, she is not upset about hearing about Rick, just that Lauren betrayed her. Val surprises everyone by appearing (and being) completely over Rick and their broken engagement.
On a final note, there is one more gender message in this show/episode that has to do with women in the workplace. Val owns her own a business and is very successful with it. While at first this may appear to be sending the message that women are just as equal to men in the business world and so forth, but actually it is sending the message that women belong doing feminine things. Val’s business is a bakery/cupcake shop. Baking is typically seen as a feminine or domestic thing. Women are expected to do it, not men. So, while Val is out making herself a career we still view her as a stay at home mother figure because she is spending the day baking in a bakery with pink and purple walls and big cupcakes everywhere. Even though she is spending a large portion of her airtime at “work,” we still see her in a domesticated sort of way.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Full House
This week I am writing my blog about an episode of Full House. In this episode Joey is offered the opportunity to take his comedy show on a six week college tour. At first, even though he is really excited about being offered such an exciting opportunity, he doesn’t think that he should go because he should be there for the family and to take care of the three girls. This is sending a gender message contradictory to the social accepted idea that women, not men, hold the responsibility of caring for the children and household. In Full House though the family is headed by three single men, there are no woman in the family except for the three daughters. This show sends a message that even though it is not typical, men are capable of caring for and nurturing woman. Even though this is the message of the show, there is some humor throw into the episodes that reinforce the ideas that women are the sensitive, emotional gender and men are the work centered bread-winners.
This show use humor and funny situations to send the message that even though these three men are successfully running a family and household without any women around, they still are out of place doing things like ironing and cooking. (Things that would typically be considered domestic, feminine chores.) Danny holds the head (masculine) role in the family. The three girl are his daughters. He makes all the final decisions about what the family and children can do. He especially is dominant in financial situations and decisions. Joey and Jesse alternate as the feminine or secondary role in the family. They are the ones that do the household chores, care for the girls, cook dinner, and chauffer the girls between their various after school activities.
Because Danny is the masculine figure in the family and he is the one that holds the final say so, this show sends the message that men (being the masculine figures) are in charge and are the heads of families. They make the decisions and the feminine (typically women) figure/figures are there for suppose and assistance (and make sure the household runs smoothly). Danny is never once seen cleaning or cooking himself during the episode, but both Joey and Jesse are seen multiple times through the show dressed in aprons roaming around the kitchen.
Along with the previous messages I have talked about, this show also sends the message that men are out of place in the kitchen and household and that they belong out in the working world. This is shown because while it is true Joey and Jesse are often doing domestic things they also, often, look out of place doing such things. For example, when Joey is ironing clothes in the kitchen he beings playing the drums on the ironing board. By making this scene into a humorous situation the show is demonstrating that Joey is out of place doing household chores. A few moments later when he voices his concerns about leaving the kids and house for six weeks while he goes on tour Danny and Jesse tell him that he should go and it will be great for his career. This says that the main job of a male is to have a successful career and bring money home to the family. Taking care of the house and children is a secondary figures (feminine figures) job.
This show use humor and funny situations to send the message that even though these three men are successfully running a family and household without any women around, they still are out of place doing things like ironing and cooking. (Things that would typically be considered domestic, feminine chores.) Danny holds the head (masculine) role in the family. The three girl are his daughters. He makes all the final decisions about what the family and children can do. He especially is dominant in financial situations and decisions. Joey and Jesse alternate as the feminine or secondary role in the family. They are the ones that do the household chores, care for the girls, cook dinner, and chauffer the girls between their various after school activities.
Because Danny is the masculine figure in the family and he is the one that holds the final say so, this show sends the message that men (being the masculine figures) are in charge and are the heads of families. They make the decisions and the feminine (typically women) figure/figures are there for suppose and assistance (and make sure the household runs smoothly). Danny is never once seen cleaning or cooking himself during the episode, but both Joey and Jesse are seen multiple times through the show dressed in aprons roaming around the kitchen.
Along with the previous messages I have talked about, this show also sends the message that men are out of place in the kitchen and household and that they belong out in the working world. This is shown because while it is true Joey and Jesse are often doing domestic things they also, often, look out of place doing such things. For example, when Joey is ironing clothes in the kitchen he beings playing the drums on the ironing board. By making this scene into a humorous situation the show is demonstrating that Joey is out of place doing household chores. A few moments later when he voices his concerns about leaving the kids and house for six weeks while he goes on tour Danny and Jesse tell him that he should go and it will be great for his career. This says that the main job of a male is to have a successful career and bring money home to the family. Taking care of the house and children is a secondary figures (feminine figures) job.
Friday, March 6, 2009
The Office: Valentine's Day
This week I choose to blog about another episode of The Office. This week the episode was about Valentine’s Day at in the office. The show started with a scene with Michael (the boss) and another of the male works riding in the elevator complaining about being alone on Valentine’s Day. This was sending the message that it was strange for these two men to be talking about being so upset and sad because men are not suppose to hangout and talk about their feelings. It was apparent in this episode that it was inappropriate for men, who should be emotionless, to spend time together talk about how they feel.
Another gender message of this episode was that men are the dominant one in relationships. Pam and Jim are engaged and both work in the office. In one of the first scenes in the show Pam is sitting at the front desk when someone walks in and requests to speak to Michael. The man is a sales representative from a phone company trying to sell Michael a new phone system that will allow all the phones in the office to be connected to directly by the caller pushing a number. Pam doesn’t want Michael to buy it because she says it will replace her job.
First of all, this shows that woman do not belong in the work place because they are dispensable. This idea is also supported by the other members of the office staff. All of the higher or more important jobs in the office are done by the male workers. For example the boss, Michael, and all of the sales people are men. There are also more men in the office than woman. The women that do work there do administrative jobs for the man. For examples, Pam is the receptionist.
As Pam is trying to make the salesman leave before Michael comes over, Jim comes up to the desk and pretends to be Michael and asks the man to leave. This says that Pam needed Jim to come rescue her. Jim saved Pam from a situation she did not want to be. This scene defends the damsel in distress stereotype of woman.
Another example that reinforces the damsel in distress stereotype is when Michael is giving blood in a blood drive. Michael meets a woman while they are both giving blood and then when she leaves to go to back to work, she leaves her glove behind. Michael decided that he will try and return it to her and they will fall magically in love- like Cinderella. This is saying that women need a man to come to the rescue and that a woman will fall in love with a man if he does save her. Michael believes that he will be her prince charming and they will live happily ever after.
Another gender message of this episode was that men are the dominant one in relationships. Pam and Jim are engaged and both work in the office. In one of the first scenes in the show Pam is sitting at the front desk when someone walks in and requests to speak to Michael. The man is a sales representative from a phone company trying to sell Michael a new phone system that will allow all the phones in the office to be connected to directly by the caller pushing a number. Pam doesn’t want Michael to buy it because she says it will replace her job.
First of all, this shows that woman do not belong in the work place because they are dispensable. This idea is also supported by the other members of the office staff. All of the higher or more important jobs in the office are done by the male workers. For example the boss, Michael, and all of the sales people are men. There are also more men in the office than woman. The women that do work there do administrative jobs for the man. For examples, Pam is the receptionist.
As Pam is trying to make the salesman leave before Michael comes over, Jim comes up to the desk and pretends to be Michael and asks the man to leave. This says that Pam needed Jim to come rescue her. Jim saved Pam from a situation she did not want to be. This scene defends the damsel in distress stereotype of woman.
Another example that reinforces the damsel in distress stereotype is when Michael is giving blood in a blood drive. Michael meets a woman while they are both giving blood and then when she leaves to go to back to work, she leaves her glove behind. Michael decided that he will try and return it to her and they will fall magically in love- like Cinderella. This is saying that women need a man to come to the rescue and that a woman will fall in love with a man if he does save her. Michael believes that he will be her prince charming and they will live happily ever after.
Friday, February 27, 2009
One Tree Hill
This week I have chosen an episode of One Tree Hill to analyze for my blog. In this particular episode there are many messages about gender role present from many different characters in the show. In particular I will talk about Peyton (who was drugged at a party), Nathan (who hid his feelings for a girl from his friends at school), and Karen (who made the first move on a man).
Peyton and Brook are two high school girls who pretend to be in college and go to a college party. While at the party Peyton goes into a dorm room with one of the boys and he puts a date rape drug in her drink. This represents the stereotypical role of women being the victims and men being the powerful force in situations. It says that men are in control and woman is weak.
When Brook discovers her friend is locked in the room with the boy she gets another boy in the dorm to open the door for her. She then takes Peyton outside and calls Lucas to come and get them. The fact that Brook chooses to call Lucas to come save them and not one of their girlfriends shows that she relies on men to save her from bad situations. This represents the stereotype that women need man around to protect them and keep them safe. It also shows that women should not be going out in social situations without men because they are unable to look out for themselves. Later in the episode Lucas and Brook and in the car together and Lucas asks Brook why choose to call him and not “one of the other guys.” This shows that it is common for a woman to turn to a man to save/protect them. Lucas and Brook both neither considered that Brook would call another female to come pick them up because she would also be unable to help.
The second character I want to talk about is Karen. Karen is Lucas’s mother and had just been offered the opportunity to go to Italy to study cooking for a few weeks. She doesn’t think that she should go though because she should be at home taking care of Lucas. This represents a woman’s natural instinct to nurture and take care of those around her. Even though Lucas is 17 years old and is very mature so he could take of himself, Karen still feels like she should be home.
Also, Karen is going against the stereotype that men should make the first move because she Kissed Keith (her love interest) in the airport before she leaves for Italy. Typically, men are expected to make the first move romantically because they are traditionally the more, masculine and dominant figures in the relationship. By going against this stereotypic Karen is showing her independence and confidence as a woman.
The final gender message apparent during this episode is shown by Nathan’s actions and words around Haley and his different actions and words around his friends. When Nathan is around his friends he feels like he needs to be a “man’s man” and not show his emotions. In order to do this he chooses to ignore Haley and not treat her in the kind, sensitive way as he does when they are alone. Haley, being “feminine” is upset by this and doesn’t understand why he can’t be kind and loving to her in public too. By the end of the episode however Nathan does treat Haley in public as he does in private so he breaks down the stereotype that men should not have feelings.
Peyton and Brook are two high school girls who pretend to be in college and go to a college party. While at the party Peyton goes into a dorm room with one of the boys and he puts a date rape drug in her drink. This represents the stereotypical role of women being the victims and men being the powerful force in situations. It says that men are in control and woman is weak.
When Brook discovers her friend is locked in the room with the boy she gets another boy in the dorm to open the door for her. She then takes Peyton outside and calls Lucas to come and get them. The fact that Brook chooses to call Lucas to come save them and not one of their girlfriends shows that she relies on men to save her from bad situations. This represents the stereotype that women need man around to protect them and keep them safe. It also shows that women should not be going out in social situations without men because they are unable to look out for themselves. Later in the episode Lucas and Brook and in the car together and Lucas asks Brook why choose to call him and not “one of the other guys.” This shows that it is common for a woman to turn to a man to save/protect them. Lucas and Brook both neither considered that Brook would call another female to come pick them up because she would also be unable to help.
The second character I want to talk about is Karen. Karen is Lucas’s mother and had just been offered the opportunity to go to Italy to study cooking for a few weeks. She doesn’t think that she should go though because she should be at home taking care of Lucas. This represents a woman’s natural instinct to nurture and take care of those around her. Even though Lucas is 17 years old and is very mature so he could take of himself, Karen still feels like she should be home.
Also, Karen is going against the stereotype that men should make the first move because she Kissed Keith (her love interest) in the airport before she leaves for Italy. Typically, men are expected to make the first move romantically because they are traditionally the more, masculine and dominant figures in the relationship. By going against this stereotypic Karen is showing her independence and confidence as a woman.
The final gender message apparent during this episode is shown by Nathan’s actions and words around Haley and his different actions and words around his friends. When Nathan is around his friends he feels like he needs to be a “man’s man” and not show his emotions. In order to do this he chooses to ignore Haley and not treat her in the kind, sensitive way as he does when they are alone. Haley, being “feminine” is upset by this and doesn’t understand why he can’t be kind and loving to her in public too. By the end of the episode however Nathan does treat Haley in public as he does in private so he breaks down the stereotype that men should not have feelings.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Home Improvement
This week I have chosen to analyze the gender messages apparent in an episode of Home Improvement. In this particular episode Al is interested in dating a woman he meets on the set of the TV show. Within the first few minutes of the show Tim and Jim each attempt to give him advice on how to win over the woman and get her to accept a date with her. Tim tells Al that he needs to be a tough guy and let the woman know he has some “hair on his chest.”
What Tim means is that a woman wants someone masculine. The idea of masculine being referred to is a man who is tough, raw, and a jerk to women. Tim’s theory is later supported when he says that the reason Jill fell in love with him is because he was tough a “manly man.” Tim is very persistent in telling Al that the last thing he wants is for this woman to think of him as a “sensitive guy.” Tim believes that if this is how the woman views Al she will not be attracted to him.
Jill gives Al the opposite advice than Tim does. Jill insists that woman DO want a nice, sensitive man. She is implying that to be masculine can mean being caring and emotional. Men do not have to be emotionless all the time. Jill counters Tim statement from earlier by saying that the real reason she fell in love with him is because he was so sensitive. Jill claims that a woman wants a man that she can be comfortable with, someone who she can talk to.
Tim disagrees with Jill’s comment that woman want a sensitive guy by saying that woman always say they do but then end up dumping the “nice guy” for the “tough guy.” This represents the male idea that they need to be strong and controlling in order to take care of a woman. This contrasts to Jill’s idea of masculinity and shows the differing feelings of men and woman relating to gender roles.
The interactions between Jill and Tim’s son Brad also support Jill’s idea that woman want a caring man. Whenever Brad’s girlfriend is around he is on his best behavior. He is doing things around the house that he never did before such as putting on a clean shirt and washing up before dinner. Brad’s girlfriend also makes a comment to Jill about how Brad must compliment his mother on how pretty she is often because he is such a gentlemen. It is obvious that the girlfriend really likes Brad which implies that she is attracted to his caring, sensitive form of masculinity.
What Tim means is that a woman wants someone masculine. The idea of masculine being referred to is a man who is tough, raw, and a jerk to women. Tim’s theory is later supported when he says that the reason Jill fell in love with him is because he was tough a “manly man.” Tim is very persistent in telling Al that the last thing he wants is for this woman to think of him as a “sensitive guy.” Tim believes that if this is how the woman views Al she will not be attracted to him.
Jill gives Al the opposite advice than Tim does. Jill insists that woman DO want a nice, sensitive man. She is implying that to be masculine can mean being caring and emotional. Men do not have to be emotionless all the time. Jill counters Tim statement from earlier by saying that the real reason she fell in love with him is because he was so sensitive. Jill claims that a woman wants a man that she can be comfortable with, someone who she can talk to.
Tim disagrees with Jill’s comment that woman want a sensitive guy by saying that woman always say they do but then end up dumping the “nice guy” for the “tough guy.” This represents the male idea that they need to be strong and controlling in order to take care of a woman. This contrasts to Jill’s idea of masculinity and shows the differing feelings of men and woman relating to gender roles.
The interactions between Jill and Tim’s son Brad also support Jill’s idea that woman want a caring man. Whenever Brad’s girlfriend is around he is on his best behavior. He is doing things around the house that he never did before such as putting on a clean shirt and washing up before dinner. Brad’s girlfriend also makes a comment to Jill about how Brad must compliment his mother on how pretty she is often because he is such a gentlemen. It is obvious that the girlfriend really likes Brad which implies that she is attracted to his caring, sensitive form of masculinity.
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