It has only been one week since I started this course and it has already made me more aware of gender issues on television, in the newspaper, and everywhere around me. These issues have always existed, but until this point, were never brought to my attention.
The other night I was watching an episode of the George Lopez Show, one I have seen a few times and have never made any gender associations with it. In this episode, George and his family were mourning the loss of his mother-in-law. George's son was talking to him about how he felt about losing his grandmother and George responded, "Men are not suppose to cry, men are suppose to be strong". As you can see, the emphasis is put on the definition of masculinity. As the book states, "to be masculine is to be strong, ambitious, successful, rational, and emotionally controlled" (Wood, p. 24). Society has made this classification. We have been taught this since infancy and how much emphasis is put on this depends on our culture and our beliefs.
Given the man changes over the years in the roles of men and women, will the stereotype of what it is to be masculine or faminine always exist? I think people should be who they really are and not what society wants them to be.
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4 comments:
You are doing a great job with embracing blogging here. You have the right idea of the intention of these business class posts. It isn't so easy to act on your own gender definition, is it? And, where do these definitions come from? The media, as illustrated in a simple sitcom like George Lopez, to our families,etc. How do you think we could begin to change these expectations? Do we need to accept what we see on TV or elsewhere so easily as the truth?
Well said, I totally agree with you. People should be comfortable with themselves and express themselves as they choose.
Comment to Thomas' Week #1 Post:
Given the fact that men and women are considered equal, I guess the message that there is no such thing as chivalry in the workplace is something we have to get accustomed to. I find it a bit difficult. I have always opened doors for women without even thinking about it. It's just something I automatically do, but I guess it's a habit that can be broken more easily at work than socially.
What about the men who resort to fist fighting (probably as they are younger) when people get them angry. As we know this is not emotional control so maybe the definition needs to be rethought.
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