In the foreground there are two girls and they are sitting down on a bed. The one on the left is my sister, Joanna, it was her 17th birthday, her friend Colleen is sitting right next to her. I chose to take my picture because of the fact that in the background you can see that Joanna's walls are almost entirely covered up by posters and pictures of Superman. To me that shows that there is more positive emphasis on male roles that there are on female roles. The colors that Joanna has up in her room are colors that are normally considered feminine colors, both posters and pictures and posters she has put up herself and the border at the top of her walls that my parents put up for her. The fact that both of them have their hair down could symbolize the femininity that they are required to show in order to be beautiful according to society. I believe that my sister is one of the exceptions to the Socialization of Helplessness in that she has integrated both feminine and masculine aspects of society and still is confident in herself and her sexuality. She has embraced her feminine self in her color choice and her hair style but she has also defied the norms of the traditional role for females by having Superman as her hero.
3 comments:
djfkadjla;jdf;
Although I understand the photographers intended message, I see many different symbols in this picture. I agree that the cartoons of superman represent the disproportionate value attributed masculine traits; however I see him not as a role model but as a symbol of oppressive standards of femininity placed upon young girls. The fact that superman rather than wonder woman is covering her walls shows that men control what it is to be feminine. Pictures of superman and traditionally feminine decorations are much more dominant than the girls themselves implying that it is society and the pressure to conform that controls the girls’ actions rather than the girls themselves. The magazine cut out that says “Don’t be a rebel” further emphasizes the symbol of superman as an enforcer of gender norms. Overall this photograph suggests to me that it is the media, largely controlled by men, that teaches girls to be obedient and meet the impossible standards of stereotypical femininity.
I think that the poster that says "dont be a rebel" is important because girls are taught not to step out thier gender boundaries and not to cause trouble. Yet boys have the excuse that "boys will be boys" and that they are given more leeway with how they act and behave. The girls are sitting on their bed looking well behaved and calm.The room looks like it is set up in a very innocent way repersenting that the girls are trying to "please" their parents by not being rebles and having magazines and posters of celebrities everywhere.
Post a Comment