Gender Stereotypes

Gender Stereotypes

From infancy, our culture teaches what it means to be a boy or a girl. From the color of clothes, to the toys we play with, the messages begin at a very early age. Young people are influenced by a barrage of messages to conform to a variety of expectations and to preserve a rigid set of values that stress the differences between genders. Men are raised up with the idea that emotions are supposed to remain inside of them. Men have always heard the expression, "Crying is for sissies". They are not supposed to show emotions like a woman or that reflecting any type of vulnerability or weakness. On the other hand, women are permitted/ encouraged to show their emotions, whether it is sadness, weakness or compassion. It is not uncommon to see a woman cry and to be known to wear her emotions on her sleeve. The fact is, we're all real people and we can experience the full range of emotions, including happiness and sadness, love and anger.

The world of make believe, as it is presented on TV and in the movies, has a big effect on the viewer. Even though the plot and characters are fabricated, the underlying attitudes and messages are not. They communicate cultural values, which shape the way we think and the way we interact. In order to combat this destructive hypocrisy, students must begin to ask questions, rather than passively accepting whatever they see and hear. Recognizing myths and false classifications for what they are, is a good first step. The objective here is to draw a thick line between the stereotypical behavior of TV, film, and video heroes, on the one hand, and our own lives, on the other.

Failing to accept ourselves for who we are can cause enormous problems. Wanting to be muscle-bound like Joey or slim like Susie could get us into trouble if our body type doesn't conform to these images. But stereotypes are more subtle than muscles and body weight. Masculine and feminine images that are portrayed in media also project their own psychological mystiques. As we grow up, our culture influences us through these images, usually without us realizing it. When we unconsciously try to live up to the impossible standards of the stereotype we can do physical and emotional harm to ourselves. Often, we don't notice this because we tend to mold ourselves to fit these stereotypes. A boy with a very slight build who wants to be muscle-bound is fighting against himself if he tries to change his physique to match that of the stereotypical male. A girl who has an angular nose can fall into the same trap if she listens to her friends and/or relatives who are trying to convince her she needs a nose job.

It takes conviction and self-assurance