Kirstenpowell's Blog

Summary

kirstenpowell — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 01:21:08 +0000

Overall the artifacts that I have chosen to represent explore the gender stereotypes that are seen in media on a daily basis. It is important that we pay close attention to these stereotypes that way we do not become victims to them. Also in recognizing the stereotypes that media places on men and women, we can further raise awareness and possible someday reach gender equality. Reoccurring themes that I found in the media were ones that portrayed men as intelligent, dominant and strong. Women were often times seen less than men, and when they were seen they played more trivial roles. Women often times played submissive, subservient roles, and were even seen as sexual objects for men. Men are seen as in control and women are seen as emotional beings, which do not even have control over their composure. This leads the viewer to assume that since they do not have composure over themselves, then they must not be capable of being controlling, dominant beings.

I explored the friendships that men and women make and how they incorporate gender stereotypes. It was also interesting to examine romantic relationships and how men and women are so different.

Families and parents seem to be the most important place that children learn gender identity, gender roles, and gender stereotypes. The stereotypes and knowledge regarding gender that the parents know often push themselves onto the children. If a parent learned a particular stereotype that they still actively use, the odds are good that the child will follow suit. Boys learn gender roles by looking to their fathers for an example. They often disassociate themselves from their mothers to prevent themselves from picking up feminine gender roles. Children do this at a fairly young age. They develop their gender identity simultaneous with their gender stereotypes and expectations. Media also starts to market children through cartoon shows as well as through toy ads and commercials. Store like Toys “R” Us even have separate sections devoted to boys and girls toys. In one of the clips you will see where a little boy understands that if he were to have a toy that is labeled a “girl” toy he would be made fun of, the same holds true when he was asked what would happen if he wore a dress.

Education seems to be an area that is trying to even the playing field for men and women. They are encouraging women to take part in studies such as math and science that had previously been deemed boys studies. Women are even beginning to outnumber men in Universities. Despite this fact they are still low in numbers when it comes to math and science.

In the career world women do not seem to be having the same luck. There seem to be many glass ceilings and uneven corporate ladders for women. Despite this awareness is being raised and hopefully one day gender stereotypes will become obsolete and we will all be on the same playing fields.

“When men lose interest in an activity they share with another male, they also tend to lose interest in that person.”

kirstenpowell — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 02:04:42 +0000

In the popular Sunday night TV drama, “Desperate Housewives,” the men on the show form a sense of camaraderie through a band that is headed up by character Dave Williams. The men do a great deal of bonding throughout the duration of their band. All of the men seem to be going through some sort of problem in their lives. For some it is mid-life crisis, for others it is dealing with repressed feelings in a positive way, and for some the band is just a good time for the guys to get together to do guy things.

Their band is the activity that in the male-male relationship that unites their friendship. Without the band the men were just be mere acquaintances since all of their wives are friends. Gamble and Gamble suggest that for male relationships they need some sort of experience or interaction together in order to form their bond. When the activity is taken away, the friendship dissolves. This is exactly what happens for these middle-aged men who share for a short time the bond of male-friendship while being in a band. When the band dissolves after a fire so does the relationship.

Gamble, T.K. & Gamble, M.W. (2003). The gender communication connection. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.

“The American Association of University Women suggests that while girls are enrolling in algebra, geometry, pre-calculus, trigonometry, and calculus, they comprise a significantly smaller percentage of students in computer science classes.”

kirstenpowell — Fri, 22 May 2009 00:42:30 +0000

Girls can Succeed in Science appears to be a book that encourages both boys and girls to proceed in to the field without being afraid, or thinking that it is too difficult. Traditionally many have viewed that the field of math and science that take place in the left hemisphere of the brain are male activities and that females should stick to reading and writing. This seems to be encouraging people to move away from this stereotypes and also shows that women are just as capable.

I think this book and others like it are great tools for empowerment of women. Women enrolled in Universities are still less likely then men to pursue a degree in math and science. Women account for less than 20% while men make up the other 80% percent. This field is still dominated by men, but hopefull women’s numbers will continue to grow, just as the number of women in universities has grown. Women now exceed men in the ratio of men to women who attend college after high school.

Gamble, T.K. & Gamble, M.W. (2003). The gender communication connection. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.

“Toys ‘R’ Us has different toy sections in its stores, one labeled ‘Girl’s World’ and another ‘Boy’s World.’ Girl’s World features plenty of dolls, kitchen toys, and makeup while Boy’s World features action figures, trucks, and walkie-talkies.”

kirstenpowell — Fri, 22 May 2009 00:42:10 +0000

According to the Standpoint Theory, the culture which someone is predisposed to defines people by gender, class, race, and status. Marketing of toys and baby items is helping to place gender roles on our children. You cannot walk into a baby store without thinking that the store just “threw up” pastel pink and blue everywhere. If you are born a boy, you are given masculine colors and items. When first born boys typically get blue blankets. People buy boys “tough guy” gifts that often involve sports. Girls on the other hand are swaddled in pink and handled more gently than boys. There are more options for things to buy girls in the store, but they often involve items such as flowers, that are pretty and dainty. These are the same characteristics that society expects the girls to grow up with. Pacifiers made by mam are even gender, ones for girls say things like “princess” and ones for boys say things like “tough guy.” You can search for toys based on gender from the Toys R Us website.

The idea of making specific Toys for Girls and specific Toys for Boys makes children feel they are compelled to have these kinds of items. If they do not they realize that they will be made fun of.

Children are encouraged by some organizations to break these roles. This shows a positive movement towards raising awareness about gender stereotypes, but for many it is already too late.

Gamble, T.K. & Gamble, M.W. (2003). The gender communication connection. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.

“Many women have paid their dues, even a premium, for a chance at a top position, only to find a glass ceiling between them and their goal…the glass ceiling applies to women as a group who are kept from advancing higher because they are women.”

kirstenpowell — Fri, 22 May 2009 00:41:51 +0000

This cartoon shows the distress that women face in the career world. This cartoon reminds of the unfair concept of the glass wall and the glass ceiling, discussed by Gamble and Gamble. Large numbers of women are in lower-wage, low prestige, dead end jobs, just because they are women. Among minorities these odds are greater. Women are given jobs based on traditionally feminine skills and are not considered valuable assets in corporate positions. Companies that feel this way are sadly mistaken. They are losing out on a vital half needed for the companies success. Gamble and Gamble suggest that companies that embrace women into the corporate realm prosper more than those who choose to remain all male.

Sexual harassment also plays a role in keeping women in lower levels. Men often want sexual favors in exchange for a promotion. Not many women go for this, and the ones who do leave their morals at the door and act more like the men who are their new colleagues.

This cartoon is a wonderful representation of the strife that career women have due to the fact that no matter how much harder they work, the man will get the raise, as well as the promotion.

Gamble, T.K. & Gamble, M.W. (2003). The gender communication connection. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.

“In corporate life, the woman as a mother stereotype manifests itself in a number of ways.”

kirstenpowell — Fri, 22 May 2009 00:41:31 +0000

In this cartoon I am reminded the Chapter on Family and gender roles as well as the one on gender in the workplace. In this comic, the mother is most likely referring to Title IX that encompasses an era of women’s movements against sexism.

Gamble and Gamble suggest that women who are mothers are often asked questions about how there kids are doing. The barrier between being a mother and being a professional is a very thin line that is often times crossed on both sides. This role spillover is something that career women often struggle with. This comic is looking at this issue in a humorous light, but the truth of the matter is that the little girl’s inquiry is a difficult task for women.

The comic artist maybe be poking fun at Title IX, the comic can be looked at from more than one perspective. This however is not how I read the comic.

Gamble, T.K. & Gamble, M.W. (2003). The gender communication connection. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.

“When they (music videos) are produced by men, or written or sung by male artists, music videos are more apt to promote sexism and communicate a misogynistic message by commonly depicting women outside the workplace, as background decorations, sex objects or slaves, the targets of male gazes and desires…”

kirstenpowell — Fri, 22 May 2009 00:41:11 +0000

In the Trace Adkins music video Honky Tonk Badonka a Donk, they use women as and their bodies as a source of entertainment. They recreate the popular night club scene with girls scantily clad and dancing for the mear pleasure of men.

At the very beginning of the video two girls walk in wearing next to nothing, immediately following, the guys walk in gawking and staring at all of the almost naked women, dancing with each other. The head nodding that the guys do to the motion of the girls steps is so incredibly sexist. Men are treating women’s butts like there are objects for them to admire. They are considering women for their butt’s instead of who they really are.

Also the girl on girl dancing leads men to think of their sexual fantasies. Gamble and Gamble suggest that men are more likely to watch pornography than men. This could possibly be because men think this is what they are supposed to do. Media constantly has images of men watching girl on girl almost nude dancing. These music videos arose men’s curiosity and excitement about pornography.

Gamble, T.K. & Gamble, M.W. (2003). The gender communication connection. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.

“When it is produced, composed, and sung by women music’s lyrics and television’s video images are less likely to be sexist or stereotypical.”

kirstenpowell — Fri, 22 May 2009 00:40:51 +0000

In this music video there are positive images of both men and women. Lip Gloss, a traditional item used to improve appearances of women, but in this case these women use lip gloss as a tool for empowerment. There are some provocative dance moves, but the women are in control. Also there are scenes where the men make passes at the women, but the women never lose control. They shut down the passes made by the men.

In the beginning the singer gets the empowerment from her mother. No man is present to influence her, this says a lot for the dominance of women. Another thing to consider is when Gamble and Gamble refer to the idea that African American women are more likely to exhibit strength than white women. African American women seem to be stronger than white women.

The females in this video are also dressed in an appropriate manner. In comparison to music videos of male artists, the women are dressed in a manner that resembles real life.

Gamble, T.K. & Gamble, M.W. (2003). The gender communication connection. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.

There are “Cultural notions of men as dominant, active and independent, and women as affiliative, passive, and responsive.”

kirstenpowell — Fri, 22 May 2009 00:40:31 +0000

The popular video game Grand theft auto promotes the idea that men are dominant, aggressive beings, while women are merely sexual beings in the background of the action. Men are seen racing fast cars, motorcycles, and boats, shooting guns, making deals, and running from the cops, while a women are walking out of a swimming pool. They are walking up the stairs in a stereotypical strut out of the pool in a very seductive manner. The men get into fights in the night club, while women are dancing around as if there sole purpose is to be entertainment for the men.

The men are in full “gangster” suits, while the women are seen wearing as little clothes as possible.

The excerpt from this video game show that men are seen more than women and play a more dominant role. Men are aggressive as they are getting into fights, racing fast cars, shooting guns, and getting in trouble with the law. These men pictured seem to be super-testosterone men. In real life men do not act like this. This is just another example of false images in media. Also, whether men like it or not, it is not a woman’s sole purpose in life to entertain and serve them.

Gamble, T.K. & Gamble, M.W. (2003). The gender communication connection. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.

“Interestingly, men and women concur that men should exert more power, and the husband’s views count more and usually prevail in households.”

kirstenpowell — Fri, 22 May 2009 00:40:11 +0000

Growing up my dad was the head of the household and the main power figure in our family. My mother tried to establish power over my brother and I, but we found ways of manipulating her. This showed that we had taken some of the power that she did have from her. Our mother was then forced to look to our father as being the disciplinary figure. My mother got the short end of the stick because she was responsible for all of the stressful planning, organizing, and caretaking tasks, but had far less power over the family dynamics than our father did. My mom was in charge of taking care of my brother and I, making sure we had clean clothes, getting us to school on time, preparing meals, as well as cleaning and doing all of the other household chores.

Despite all that my mother did my father was still in charge of delegating how the money was spent. My mother also let my father control the decisions that revolved around the free time that the family would spend and the vacations we would take. My mother would often times come up with ideas, but if my father did not agree with her suggestions, then we would not partake in them.

Men are more likely to make decisions regarding discipline rather than females. Men also are more likely to make monetary decisions since often times they are the ones making the most money.

Gamble, T.K. & Gamble, M.W. (2003). The gender communication connection. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.