This
photo displays children playing at home without the influence of their peers.
The “Two Cultures” of Childhood involves
segregation of sex to encourage boys and girls to separate socially. This also
encourages playing with appropriate toys or activities categorized by gender
schemas. Typically if girls play with something that is categorized as “male” it is accepted and praised. The opposite occurs if boys
play with something that is categorized as “female” it
will not be noticed or even taunted leading to the fag discourse as they age.
This
was captured at their home. Home is neutral for these children allowing them to
play how they want to and not according to what is socially accepted. In the
photo you notice the girls playing football first, it takes up the most space
in the frame. Neighbors walking by would never discourage the girls not to play
football, they may stop and praise them. Neither girl will be degraded for
playing something masculine. In fact this photo shows these girls as strong
enough to play football. Masculinity is displayed with strength, assuming
strength is vital to participate in something presumed masculine.
In
the back corner after you study the photo you will see the young male playing
with a baby doll. This activity is not socially accepted and could be
discouraged. This imaginative behavior could be beneficial. This young male
could be a better doctor, father, brother, uncle or husband with positive
encouragement this early in life. Placing the boy in the back corner makes him
seem less significant because he is playing with a baby doll and not
participating in football. This shows the insecurities placed on males who
engage in activities viewed as feminine. If a neighbor were to walk by the
little boy, he would be judged and may be viewed as gay or girly. This boy,
although being compassionate and kind, is viewed as small and weak. Feminine
toys or activities are typically soft and dainty, mostly powerless. There is a
lot of emphasis on the importance of males to be masculine, exerting strength
and power and discouraging compassion. Seeing the boy in the back of the photo
shows us how society looks down on most things feminine.
There
is a lot of pressure on individuals to be either masculine or feminine, mostly
praising masculine. This photo should display children playing with equal space
and importance. Instead you see the backlash toward atypical males and the
praise of masculine behavior in early childhood.
2 comments:
From: Katelyn
From this photograph you can tell the differences between the two genders. In the textbook you notice that they talk about how boys don’t play with girl toys and girls don’t play with boy toys. From this photograph you can see the little boy with a baby doll and a girl with a football. The two girls wouldn’t get judged for being masculine as much as the little boy would be for showing femininity. This photo taken at home allows the children to be their selves instead of being judged in public by society.
This photo shows how girls can play boy sports and not be ridiculed because they are young. For example the girl is wearing a jersey playing football with what looks like her big sister. In Chapter 3 they talk about gender segregation and this picture describes it very well. For example, look at the boy in the background. The image has him shaded off a bit and looks like hes holding a doll. At a young age children of the opposite sex normally don't play together. The little boy has no interest in playing the game of football with his sisters. He's looking down at the doll as if hes telling a story in his head. Also, we can see that the photographer zoomed in on the two girls playing football, the author was trying to make a valid point. (A)
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