Post #2 Gender and its Forms

The Code of Gender film I have seen this week brought about many interesting topics, that further illuminated the way that society “deals with” and has formed people’s unique understandings of gender and what it means to cultures/society. Right now, the Western culture’s basic starting point is that there are 2 sexes and consequently two gender norms that society conforms to. however, this has been changing, as the understanding of gender is evolving. However, the basic “understanding” that many people still have, is that if one does not fit into the category, they are not conforming to the social standard and thus are negatively different. 
We, in society, are thus “coded” into this thinking, since childhood - such as the toys that we are “assigned” to play with (males - cars, females - dolls), the colors we should like, as well as the behavior we should portray, such as females being girly, dressing up, taking care of others, and being submissive. Judging based on the conformed idea of the two genders is what we have been brought up knowing - and may be difficult to change this, what seems rational, behavior. 

Women’s roles

The female gender, in today’s world, is depicted as conforming to the role of a more submissive, as well as dependent on the other gender. Women are viewed as caregivers, who conform to the male gender. Focault signifies that power is "made" through accepted forms of knowledge, and knowing the truth, which is linked to this necessity for having understanding and categorizing, without outliers, into the 2 genders in order to have the power depicted. 

An example for this male dominance and female oppression is this ad, which depicts a man asking "is it always illegal to kill a woman?" when she messed something up, while her colleague/boss is lecturing her about this in rage. 

The Green Parent

Male roles

Males were traditionally viewed as strong, dominant, and at most times, emotionless. However, this brings about many problems, as it is restrictive and can suppress the emotions the male gender should be able to feel. For me, it is interesting to see the ads of the previous generations, such as in the 60s, when the male and female stereotype was heavily displayed out in the open. 

An interesting example I found is this 1970 Playboy ad, where the women are on the floor, leaning against the male frame, in an ad for men’s slacks.

SenseiAlan

Gender from an early age

As mentioned before, the concept of gender has been unavoidable within the Western society. Society likes to put people in boxes, in order to obtain a seemingly clear understanding of what applies to which category. As such, the concept of gender has been applied in children's toys, such as below:

Cadae Martin

On the other hand, girls are depicted as being in pink, taking care of baby toys, as well as playing with dolls. This stereotype and assumption of gender is, I believe, negative, as it can shape the decisions of children when they are adults - such as a Female brought about in a "girly environment" not even considering applying to an engineering degree. although it may be her dream. Rather, conforming to the stereotyped views she was brought around. 

Pezibear