Emma Watson's speech outlines a majority of problems in our society today in terms of gender stereotypes. She talks about the problems women face, in terms of unequal pay; and she also talks about the problems men face regarding the fact they must look or act strong to be accepted. I feel like both points are true, but because of my experience regarding the male viewpoint, I'll create my essay on that.
The male population does have to difficulties to get through as well, myself included. My whole life I've been judged for being weak and scrawny, and I've never really felt like a man. When I was younger, a man was somebody who was tough, who wasn't sensitive, who wasn't afraid to dish out violence when it was needed (and sometimes when it wasn't), and I felt like none of those things. Young me was scrawny, was extremely sensitive (both to physical and emotional pain), and didn't like fighting. Young me wasn't what society would label as a man.
Obviously, today I'm different than how I was years ago, and yet, the same stereotypes persist and loom over me. While I'm not as scrawny, I'm still afraid of being judged for "looking weak." While I don't get hurt as easily, I still feel wrong as being sensitive and sympathetic. And I still don't like to hurt, for I feel it's unnecessary, but every once in a while, I get the thought that not hurting someone makes me feel less "manly."
When one thinks about it, these stereotypes for a man are reinforced constantly whether in the media or society. Starting with media, movies always usually, if not always, portray the man as the hero, the one that is needed to save the day. Even in movies where the female is not the protagonist, the man is still looked at as brave, tough, "manly," ect, ect. For example, Hunger Games features Katniss Everdeen as the protagonist of the movie, and even then, men are looked at in the movie to be strong. Peeta, for example, shows some feeling at the beginning of the movie, but, at least to those who've read the book, that Peeta changes from the "lovable guy," to the man who is becoming violent, brave, and "manly" for the cause of the revolution.
As shown in the movie, "Tough Guise," gender stereotypes hurt everyone and there must be a group effort to solve them because it is not just a women's problem, it is not just a man's problem, it is a problem for the human race to solve.
I see what you are saying about men having a gender sterotype just as much as women and I agree with you saying that it's something that needs to be addressed by everyone.
ReplyDeleteI also am able to (somewhat) relate to you with male sterotypes playing a role in your everyday life. I have a little sister (sophomore) and brother (8th grader) and everyonce and a while I will overhear my sister badger him about being weak and needing to start working out. It's amazing that until we started addressing this as a class I never thought of her "stereotyping" him, but now I see it. Hopefully there is something I can do to relieve the pressure to conform to what a "man" is suppose to be within my household.
On another note, I appreciated the connection you made with Peeta in the hunger games. I don't think many people would have made that connection though, now that you point it out, it is so visably clear.
I do agree that women and men both are stereotyped , and it would be way better if people did make an effort to stop the stereotyping but who knows maybe in this society it will or will not stop, we just have to try ourselves and make sure we are not doing it since we know how wrong it is.
ReplyDeleteI agree with everyone that men and women are stereotyped. I believe women are a little more stereotyped than men are. Nobody should be stereotyped by there gender just like nobody should be stereotyped by there race. Maybe one day men and women will be treated equally and not be stereotyped by gender.
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