Last week in class we discussed the role and expectations of gender, particularly in Hollywood. What is masculine and feminine, first of all? What way should a man or woman act? What way should a man or woman not act? The mass media greatly influences our expectations and schemas that we use to answer these questions.
We started by looking at advertisements and articles from different magazines. Many depict muscular, athletic men and tend to pair them up with supermodels that could literally be supported with one hand, or other appendage. These particular body types were described as ideal. Larger females and skinny males didn't fetch much attention in the magazines. The athletic females also had very little coverage, despite the fact that they would likely have been better matches for the athletic males.
We watched clips from different movies and discussed how certain actors tend to always be cast for particular roles. You would never expect to see Bruce Willis in a movie such as Mrs. Doubtfire. In turn you'd never expect to see Robin Williams in something like Live Free or Die Hard. Speaking of the latter, we discussed how Bruce Willis' screen daughter had just as much of a kick-ass attitude as he does.
Films and TV depict what are 'normal' masculine and feminine behaviors. When these norms are violated, we often laugh or make of fun of those who are different. We used the male nurse example from Meet the Fockers. It built up the stereotype that males shouldn't be in a nursing position because we aren't supposed to be nurturers. The examples could go on and on.
Lastly we described the struggle for power between competitors and how these struggles can have good and bad consequences. The scene in Dum Line showed the fight between the underdog and the top dog. It's almost as if a group exists there are those who will embody power, and others who will crave it. The latter group will tend to do whatever it takes to obtain its objectives.
Gender is such a hot button issue in today's society. With the movement of the gay, bisexual, lesbian, and transgender communities, gender is not so cute and dry anymore. Gender roles and expectations are not so black and white anymore. I say again, the world is grey.
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