I took my photo based on the section “Romantic Socialization” from Unit 3. It talks about the ideal traits of a romantic partner children are taught through the vast methods of absorbing information, such as TV, stories, video games, movies, etc. The female characteristics include being beautiful, gorgeously thin, and a great housekeeper while the husband is away making all the money. These and other issues are brought up in my photo.
First looking at her style choice, the pearls around her neck symbolize two things. Proper ladies wear white pearls as one way to show wealth and classiness. This necklace resembles the importance for women and girls to seem proper and elegant. On the other hand, pearls are normally a gift from a gentleman who can provide a wealthy lifestyle. Girls are taught to think of men with money as the ideal mate. The hair, done with a curling iron, light makeup and oversized dress link to the unit’s topic on women and girls having to change themselves in order to attract a potential spouse, even if the methods of change are ridiculous and harsh on the individual. This must be the only way, right?
She has to know how to be a generous housekeeper in order to fit her romantic social role. A sink full of dishes and a counter covered in cleaning products takes up fifty percent of the frame. This implies a clustered and frustrating pressure put on young girls to abide by their roles.
The frame is at an odd angle that lets an uncomfortable feeling arise. The girl is slack in posture with a lose grip on the dishrag and pot, portraying the idea that the task of washing a pot is the last thing she’d want to do as a kid. The downward angle of the camera in combination with the girl’s facial expression conveys a lack of fulfillment and confidence to do want she truly desires. The most powerful element of the photo is the gaze of her eyes. She is looking directly into the camera, as to ask the viewer if this is necessary. Can she go play and be a kid now?
3 comments:
I think your photo is a thoughtful representation of the issues discussed in the chapter on “Romantic Socialization.” You pointed out that the sink and counter top are the focus of fifty-percent of the photo frame. The other half is occupied by a polished, professional looking young girl. I believe these aspects express the two lifestyles females are often caught in between. Women are taught to conform to their nurturing feminine roles in domestic life. This expectation often conflicts with their desire to pursue professional careers. However, when they do achieve their professional goals, women are often still expected to maintain the same level of responsibility at home. As a result, they are forced to live two, equally taxing lives. The inner struggle caused by this incredible burden is portrayed clearly on the girl’s facial expression in your photo.
I found this picture to be very interesting and very informative. I really like the expression on the girls face, it really shows how girls/women put their wants and happiness aside to please others. This girl is clearly learning her future gender roles in society as the one to do household duties. Most girls at this age are out playing with friends or at the mall, not learning how to be a housewife. I also think this picture portrays the “second shift” very well. This young girl is most likely still in school, so once she gets home from school she has homework to do and then still chores.
I completely agree with your picture and explanation for it as well. It is amusing that kids have to start these roles at such a young age. We are taught to cook, clean and other things needed that grown women do throughout our lifetime to prepare us for when are married. In the picture we are shown how the little girl looks professional as well as having the kitchen in the background. Bringing to light that although a lot of women have those professional jobs they also have duties to abide when they step foot in their household.
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