Friday, February 15, 2008
Gender Communication
Im currently taking a class titled Gender Communication and like always now that I am taking a class about a certain subject every time i see something related to it I notice things that I never noticed before. I notice little things on shows that show how media influences gender roles. Even in movies that are aimed at women, you can see sexist messages. Today while I was doing some hw i had the tv on and noticed that Romy and Michelle's High School Reunion and although I only caught the ending I was able to see how even in this movie you can see traditional gender roles get supported. The only woman two women who were successful in the business world from their class were angry, serious and seemed bitchy and a little masculine. One of them was even the only woman wearing pants, and she was accused of being unhappy because she was stuck in the business world. And then finally Romy and Michelle themselves were losers until a rich man from their class came to their rescue and lent them money so they could open up their own store. Again supporting the traditional gender stereotype of male superiority. I wont claim to be a big feminist or anything but I do find it disturbing that Hollywood continues throw these messages at us. It is specially disturbing to know that little kids will watch this movie and think that this is normal and that this is how the world works.
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2 comments:
Dear zbtjames,
The sorry display of sexism has been a regular routine in the media. No matter how outraged women's groups or women's advocates maybe, this will take a while before this can be changed.
Sexism is currently directed at Sen. Hillary Clinton. And it seems like no woman in the public eye, from Nancy Pelosi to Michelle Obama, is exempt. Like the long painful process of the abolitionists' fight for freedom for the African Americans in our country's history, this, too, needs the same impetus. I a woman who would be willing to sign any petition that will go around fighting against media misogyny. I am so glad to know that there are men like you who are willing to fight for women's rights. Thank you!
Comment by
freespeechcomesalive.blogspot.com
James, I meant to add that the media, fashion, cosmetics, and diet industries all promote a beauty standard that doesn't come natural to most women. They are very expensive, too! Advertisers make women believe that our bodies need constant improvement, so it is not surprising that so many women are unhappy with their appearance. Again, this is what I wrote about in my previous comment about we all have to fight media misogyny. It's about time for women to accept their inner beauty that doesn't come from fake sources like cosmetics and outrageous ways broght about my the advertising industry and Hollywood.
Comment by
freespeechcomesalive.blogspot.com
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