One-Eyed Willy

From: Susan
This is Hunter, aka One- Eyed Willy. Hunter was enrolled in “Pirate’s camp” last summer, and loved to play the part. He said that “guys like violence more than girls.” As we can see from the TV screen, Spongebob is portraying a pirate as well. Although Hunter thinks Spongebob Squarepants is funny, he doesn't think he is anything like the real pirate he would like to be. “You get to use swords and guns and live on the sea,” said Hunter. “something that girls just can’t do.” This stereotyping isn't unfamiliar with young boys. They see themselves as strong and scary. “Boys are more likely to enact fictional heroes shown on TV.” (p193) Boys love to imitate, and the older they get, it appears the more violence they want implemented into their play times. Fortunately most of the gruesome details of play at this age remain a figment of their imagination. Through TV, actions figures and movies, young boys see characters, such as pirates, as “manly” and “masculine.” They are more likely to prefer the domineering role, influenced by today’s media. Pirates are portrayed as gender specific; they are the manly man. A boy being a pirate is socially accepted. Hunter is ready for his journey on the high seas, in hopes of finding his bounty, something we won't see many young girls try and attempt.