Different For Girls: Gender Stereotypes

667 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Media representation on gender

Different for Girls To correctly define the term society, one must consider the significance of various influences that compromise the complexity of the phrase. On a larger scale- traditions, surrounding medias, stereotypes, language, and a conflict in upbringing, account for the differences found. However, there are some disheartening similarities- the depersonalization and aggressive sexualization of women. From a young age, women are told they have to behave “correctly”, dress “appropriately”, and perform tasks around the house that men say are- cooking, cleaning, and caring for children. Women lose themselves because of the importance put on appearances and societal expectation of expression through femininity. The thought of success through beauty is ingrained within in the brain from when one is a child. Gender stereotyping begins at a young age- being clothed in pink, frilly dresses, changing her vocabulary, and learning to accept the incredibly uncomfortable situation of being catcalled by complete strangers on the street- a “lady” is expected to take such attacks and …show more content…

Within the poem Barbie Doll, Piercy states that a “girlchild was born as usual” and was “presented dolls that did pee-pee/and miniature GE stoves and irons” (2-3), effectively denying women the right to maintain any sense of individualism and personality. These are symbols of feminism that the family wants the child to grow up into. To this day, society successfully manages to implant gender stereotypes as to where a woman “belongs”, and her “proper” place in society. Piercy uses imagery to help paint a picture of how girls are taught that they need to cook and iron because it is the role of a woman and that men cannot do these things. To turn a blind eye to such a fundamental key clearly supports the notion that ignorance is truly a

Show More
Related

  • Societal Pressures in Boys and Girls, Introduction to A Vindication of the Rights of Women and Barbie Doll

    1185 Words  | 3 Pages

    The societal pressures faced by women is, arguably, the main topic of Alice Munro’s short story “Boys and Girls,” Mary Wollstonecraft’s essay “Introduction to A Vindication of the Rights of Women” and Marge Piercy’s poem “Barbie Doll.” “Boys and Girls” deals with those societal pressures faced by women within both the home and family life. Alternatively, “Introduction to A Vindication of the Rights of Women” and “Barbie Doll” deal with those societal pressures faced by women in society at large. All three show how societal pressures are acting against women, but “Introduction to A Vindication of the Rights of Women” and “Barbie Doll” go even further by showing the negative effects of these pressures.

    Read More

  • Kate Chopin's Barbie Doll

    855 Words  | 2 Pages

    The treatment of females from the 18th century through the 21st century have only gotten worse due to society’s ignorant judgment of the gender. Of which, is the change from the previous housewife like actions to the modern day body figure. This repulsive transaction is perceived throughout literature. From the 19th century’s short story, “The Story of an Hour” written by Kate Chopin in 1894 and the 20th century’s poem, “Barbie Doll” composed by Marge Piercy in 1971.

    Read More

  • Marge Piercy’s Barbie Doll

    604 Words  | 2 Pages

    In Marge Piercy’s, “Barbie Doll,” we see the effect that society has on the expectations of women. A woman, like the girl described in ‘Barbie Doll’, should be perfect. She should know how to cook and clean, but most importantly be attractive according to the impossible stereotypes of womanly beauty. Many women in today’s society are compared to the unrealistic life and form of the doll. The doll, throughout many years, has transformed itself from a popular toy to a role model for actual women. The extremes to which women take this role model are implicated in this short, yet truthful poem.

    Read More

  • Femininity and Gender Roles in Films The Graduate and The Last Picture Show

    2103 Words  | 5 Pages

    Women in today’s society seem to be having a very difficult time expressing themselves without dealing with lots of criticism. Common values are standing in the way of women’s drive toward molding themselves into whatever they desire. Our culture has made standards about how should women look, act, and conduct themselves that greatly limits what they can do, and still gain respect. Martin S. Fiebert and Mark W. Meyer state that, “[there are] more negative [gender] stereotypes for men than for women.” This idea doesn’t seem to have a great amount of validity in our present society. Society set certain standards that men are supposed to live up to such as strength and confidence, which are more behavioral characteristics. Women seem to be more trapped than men by societies standards because they are supposed to live up to standards dealing with beauty and size, which are more physical characteristics These specific guidelines have been set by society that are sometimes unattainable for a majority of women. The women that follow the specific criteria are greatly respected, and the ones that try and be innovative usually are criticized if not disliked.

    Read More

  • Influence Of Gender Stereotypes

    917 Words  | 2 Pages

    Hannan Goodall, author of Media’s Influence on Gender Stereotypes, once said “If as a society we refuse to accept certain gender stereotypes as truth, then the media makes may not be as inclined to center their message on them”. Do you ever wonder why Windex commercials generally show women cleaning the windows instead of men? Or why beer commercials show men sitting around watching sports with their buddies while sipping a beer instead of women? Commercials, Movies and Television Shows are the vast source of gender stereotyping, because they are adapted to the specific, focusing on male or female’s gender roles as their main target. Deborah Tannen, the author of Sex, Lies, and Conversation, focus on addressing the different communicating styles between men and women and how it effects their relationships as a whole. Media’s gender role stereotypes have shown effect in the Hindu culture, work and family

    Read More

  • Gender Stereotypes In Children

    236 Words  | 1 Pages

    Gender stereotype are fixed ideas about men’s and women’s traits and capabilities and how people should behave, based on their gender. It starts at a young age. Our society starts establishing gender roles when children born. Parents chose for their children blue color clothing and other staff for boys and pink for girls. Even in the children’s stores, just by watching stuff the way they are organized you can see the difference. The toys are different as well. In general, toys associated with boys are related to fight, aggressiveness, competitiveness, and toys associated with girls related to physical attractiveness, nurturing and domestic skill. So basically through toys children learn their role in our society. Even if you will try

    Read More

  • Gender Stereotypes

    601 Words  | 2 Pages

    There is a common saying ‘that all men are from Mars’ and ‘all women are from Venus’ which has the tendency to stereotype the individual differences as gender differences. When it comes to psychological traits like empathy, sexual attitudes and behaviours, and personality traits like extroversion and openness there is no clear evidence to suggest men and women can be divided into two distinct groups. Critical thinking challenges stereotypes and proves that there are more similarities than differences between men and women. Men and women have the same desires, wants, dreams and fears. It can be said that gender stereotypes are in most cases a result of 'nurture' more than 'nature'.

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Barbie Doll

    1000 Words  | 2 Pages

    In Marge Piercy’s “Barbie Doll,” females are pressured into their pre-assigned gender roles starting at a young age with their dolls. Once the “girlchild” is born, she is given, “dolls, stoves, irons, and lipstick,” (Piercy 2-4) to prepare her for her future roles and clueing her

    Read More

  • Gender Stereotypes: The Influence Of Gender Roles In Society

    1165 Words  | 3 Pages

    Changes in society have brought issues regarding gender stereotype. Gender roles are shifting in the US. Influences of women’s movement (Firestone, Firestone, & Catlett, 2006) and gender equality movement (e.g., Obergefell v. Hodges (2015)) have contributed to expanding social roles for both genders. Nevertheless, gender stereotypes, thus gender stereotype roles continue to exist in the society (Skelly & Johnson, 2011; Wood & Eagly, 2010). With changes in gender roles, pervasiveness of gender stereotype results in a sense of guilt, resentment, and anger when people are not living up to traditional social expectations (Firestone, Firestone, & Catlett, 2006). Furthermore, people can hold gender stereotype in pre-reflective level that they may

    Read More

  • Gender Stereotypes And Gender Inequality

    1670 Words  | 4 Pages

    From the moment a child is born, they are directed and coached into a gender stereotype that follows social norms. They are informed by various contexts within society, what colours they should like, books they should read, clothes they should wear, toys they should play with and the appropriate behaviours that represent their gender. Values and behaviours are spontaneously implemented as children internalise the knowledge and information gained through their environments (National Union of Teachers, 2013, p. 3). Children become aware of stereotypical conduct and attitudes that are often shown through society, history and media constructs, that being a male is a commensurate of masculinity and a female correlates qualities of femininity and timidness. The intricacies relating to gender identities are more than ingrained in Australian culture, they have been historically embedded for many years, where the man was the hunter and woman was the gatherer (Wood & Eagly, 2002, p. 700). This binary way of thinking (Gobby, topic 6,n.d.), intensifies the issue of gender inequality. Author MacNaughton (2000, p.18) brings to light the long standing debate over the biological versus the social determination of shaping our gendered identities, concluded that both may be interconnected but an educational belief of one over the other may present detrimental issues. However, MacNaughton (2000, p.14) also asserts that agents of socialisation such as parents, teachers and other stakeholders, model and inspire gender specific behaviours through both implicit and explicit directions.

    Read More

  • Gender Stereotypes

    412 Words  | 1 Pages

    When you hear the phrase, "like a girl", you would will most likely think of the sad and touching always commercial. The commercial shows older boys and girls and younger boys and girls doing tasks "like a girl." The older children did the tasks very stereotypically. When they were told to run like a girl they all ran very clumsily, slowly, and daintily. But, when the younger girls were asked to run like a girl they ran as fast as they could with all of their might. As a child you don't understand all of the stereotypes being throw around today. Stereotypes aren't the biggest problems, in my opinion, the thought of feminism is the root of all arguments about women and girls. According to Google, Feminism is defined as, "the advocacy of women's

    Read More

  • Gender Stereotypes

    1120 Words  | 3 Pages

    I recently turned nineteen years old this past month. I am in my second year of college. Growing up, around the time of puberty, I remember being one of the tallest in my classes. In Spencer A. Rathus’s textbook of Human Development, it says, “Girls start to spurt in height sooner than boys, at an average age of a little more than ten” (Rathus 232). This is true in my case because I remember being taller than all the boys in my class. When it came to what I thought about my changing body, I was not surprised or nervous. I read books that were written to inform girls about their body during puberty, so I already knew what was going to happen. When my body was changing, I ate healthy food, about the same as the text suggests, “1,800 to 2,400

    Read More

  • Are Women Slaves to Fashion and Beauty?

    1707 Words  | 4 Pages

    I would like to begin with the fact that women have always been known to dedicate their time to beauty. Those who are devoted to their appearance most often believe that beauty brings power, popularity, and success. Women believe this, because they grow up reading magazines that picture beautiful women in successful environments; not to mention they are popular models and world famous individuals. Beautiful women are no longer just a priority for most advertising, but we have become a walking target for the working class employers. It is documented that better-looking attorneys earn more than others after five years of practice, which was an effect that grew with experience (Biddle, 172). We cannot overlook the fact that it is always the most popular and most beautiful girl who becomes homecoming-queen or prom-queen. While these are possible positive effects of the "beauty myth," the negative results of female devotion to beauty undercut this value. These effects are that it costs a lot of money, it costs a lot of time, and in the long run, it costs a lot of pain.

    Read More

  • Breaking Gender Stereotypes

    2237 Words  | 5 Pages

    “Sugar and spice and everything nice, that’s what little girls are made of.” This is a famous nursery rhyme that is recited by loving parents almost as soon as a child is brought home from the hospital. But does it serve as the backbone for gender stereotypes that permeate our society? Today women make up more than half of college graduates but according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2010) only 13.8% serve as engineers and 24.8% are working in computer and mathematics fields. The resounding question is why aren’t women choosing these occupations? On one side of the argument is the belief that it is a scientific fact that girls just aren’t as talented at math as boys, and on the other side is the belief that girls are stereotypically pigeonholed into traditional female roles from a young age, eventually affecting their self-efficacy in math-related topics and their choice to pursue jobs in this realm (Bandura, Barbaranelli, Vittorio-Caprara, & Pastorelli, 2001; Geist, E., 2010).

    Read More

  • The Importance Of Gender Stereotypes

    755 Words  | 2 Pages

    Gender is a large part of our identity. Those differences are reflected in many gender stereotypes (Iowa 2015).  People are expected to act according to their gender. Most aspects of our lives are based on these specific gender stereotypes and can mold our futures. Gender stereotypes make us believe that we all have to follow a specific role in life. These stereotypes make us believe that we have to fit into a certain mold. It starts from an early age and is pushed onto us throughout the years. Culture does have some impact on the stereotypes also. Certain cultures still believe that women need to stay home and take care of the children while the men work and pay the bills.

    Read More

More about Different For Girls: Gender Stereotypes

Open Document