Gender Inequality In Society

Gender inequality is inevitable in most societies. Even societies that claim to be educated and advanced have gender related stereotypes that further worsen the gender inequality. A gender related stereotype is a generalized view or preconception about attributes, or characteristics that are, or ought to be, possessed by women and men or the roles that are or should be performed by men and women. Gender related stereotypes could be both positive and negative. For example, “women are nurturing” or “women are weak.” Some stereotypes related to women are so impactful that they shake the foundation of gender equality causing women to be treated unfairly in society. Gender equality can only be achieved if people in society stop having negative stereotypes

These stereotypes are often portrayed in media, which impacts the psychology of women thereby shaking their confidence and self-esteem since childhood. Disney movies such as Cinderella, which are redeemed as a favorite movie of young girls, depict women as weak and reliant on men. In the movie, the main character, Cinderella, is presented as a weak and poor woman who works for her stepmother as a scullery maid. The fact that she married the prince, and gained happiness in her life further supports the stereotype that women rely on men for happiness in life. The whole concept of presenting Cinderella as a feeble female character who gains happiness and success through marriage rather than hard work alters the mentality of young girls, and forces them to assume that marriage is significant for success. Young girls often identify with their beloved character, thereby affecting the way they conceive beliefs regarding their future roles in society. According to “The Sexualization of Childhood,” young girls are taught to seek a life path that does not require tremendous effort and hard work, and consists of gaining a man’s support through marriage and feminine qualities (Olfman). Hence, as they grow up watching movies like Cinderella, they will develop a mindset that women are weak and dependent on men just to gain happiness in life, which further lowers their self-esteem and