One thing that I really like that was brought up, although briefly, was how early on these gender stereotypes are set in place for young girls. Susan Douglas points out the Toddlers and Tiaras, which puts insane amounts of pressure on girls appearance before these girls are even potty trained. Throughout my whole, I can't recall a time where it wasn't looked at as a girls "duty" to make sure she presented herself in this certain, undefined way. As pointed out in the article, a certain weight, wear certain clothes, even speak and act a certain way. One thing that upsets me is how girls are taught in order to appear cute and feminine is achieved by dumbing oneself down, having less respect when it comes to body exposure, and one that personally gets me angry is being taught that you can alway live life dependent on a man. Growing up it is put into girls heads that they don't need to shoot for the prestigious, high educated jobs because our role is to live off men; in return we provide what is looked at as lesser tasks such as domesticated chores, nurturing children, and of course taking care of any and all of your husband's (man's) desires.
Jess Wabuda
I agree, women are told what is "right" and feminine from a young age and it's terrible. Children shouldn't have to feel like they don't fit in just because they don't wear the right clothes or don't start wearing make-up at the right age (or if they just don't wear any at all). In my opinion, beauty is not what society makes it out to be, but is how a person is without trying to conform to society's expectations.
ReplyDeleteIt has always bothered that society force people in to rolls based of their anatomy, both for boys and girls. Kids should be allowed to be kids and play with what ever they want or dress how ever they want. Whats the point of growing up if you can't explore all your different interest? In addition the current gender binary is very destructive to kids. Girls are told to always listen and be passive while any bad behavior a boy shows is passed off as boys will be boys.
ReplyDeleteJess, I like that you bring up the problem of enforcing these ideals on girls at such a young age. You mentioned Toddlers and Tiaras, which I think is a show that most people watch because it is so over-the-top. But does a show like this still reproduce gender norms even though most people don't go to the same extremes?
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