From: Kayla
Imagine
having to explain to people over and over again, “Yes, I am a girl”. You don’t
wear makeup. You don’t wear “preppy” style clothing such as dresses and high
heels. You don’t get your nails or hair done. You like football and sports that
would normally be associated with being a male. Gender stereotypes are a huge
impact on every single person in our world. Laurie Rudman and Peter Glick
explain that many studies have found that we create gender stereotypes that are
biased perceptions of individual category members (Rudman and Glick, 95). My
friend Morgan, who is the woman in this picture, is dressed in a style
typically for a male such as the hoodie, black vans, loose jeans, and boxers.
Morgan was and still is consistently mistaken for a male because of the exact
act of people gender stereotyping her just because of her taste in clothing.
There is an expectation that society has for what a girl should look like and
how to act. According to Rudman and Glick, cultural theorists believe that the
expectations girls (and boys) are supposed to follow are the gender schemas
presented to them which is to discover what to wear; for example, blue vs pink
and what activities they are to participate in; for instance, football vs
figure skating (Rudman and Glick, 9). Morgan is against these norms and accepts
herself the way she is. I presented her in this bright purple, feminine style
bathroom, staring at the makeup and hair products in disinterest. The way the
picture is taken is presented above her as if society is looking down upon
Morgan but she is not paying any attention to what is above her. This
represents that even though society may be against with how she presents
herself as an “outsider”, her expression shows that she does not care what
society may think about her. Although, the way her attitude is now was not
always like this. In the past, being mistaken as a boy did hurt Morgan’s
feelings just by the mere fact that she dressed like a boy, wore no makeup and
had super short hair. Being different from the norm is hard to be accepted in
society. There are many others like Morgan who deal with being stereotyped,
judged, bullied, and looked down upon because they are outside the norm. But a
lot has changed to where many people of society have come to accept everyone
for who they truly are no matter what.
Work
Cited
Rudman,
Laurie and Peter Glick. The Social
Psychology of Gender: How Power and Intimacy Shape Power Relations. The
Guilford Press, 2008.
4 comments:
From: Jessica
After viewing this photo and reading your description, I immediately realized that we saw two different things. Where you see a bright purple room, I see a dark-hued room cluttered with stuff. Where you see a girl not caring, I see a girl with an expression that looks as if it is trying to hide the insecurities that lie within her. To me, the photo represents a private look into this girl’s world- one that is very dark and not joy-filled. The tones within the bathroom are actually very dark, creating a depressing feeling within the photo. This dark feeling was what originally caught my eye as it invokes emotion upon the reader- it beckons you to come closer and to observe it more carefully. The look upon the girl’s face does not look confident to me. Her eyes are downcast and her expression is solemn. She looks particularly unhappy to me which, I feel, only adds to the emotion present in this photo. I feel that the combination of lighting and expression help us to see the true effects of the beauty culture within society today. Women are constantly pressured to look their best through the use of makeup, clothing, and accessories. Your friend is very brave for not caring about what society thinks and continuing to dress as she pleases. That said, I feel this photo may accurately reveal the level to which societal standards can take their toll on those who chose not to participate.
From: Thara
In your photo “Yes I’m a girl” there were a lot of creative elements that I found interesting. The whole idea of this was to generally show how gender schemas, and norms can change a person. Starting off with the scene, it was very smart to place her in the bathroom being that usually when girls are in the bathroom looking in the mirror their typically putting makeup on, or participating in any other “feminine” tasks. The walls being purple and the floor maps being pink really enhance the persona of a “girly girl” which she is not. Next, look at the angles and positioning of the photo. The camera is placed in the corner of the bathroom up high to where the model looks small. This could symbolize an outcast, less worthy, and not empowered. The camera is also placed far away from her causing space between her and the camera which could also symbolize the emptiness she has within society’s expectations. Or the space could represent the disinterest she has between gender norms. Although with the space between her, the camera, and the “girly” room she still has this body language that expresses confidence and acceptance. Even though she isn’t the ideal girl we are used to seeing in magazine’s and in everyday life, she’s aware she’s different, but accepts the way she is. I really liked this photo not only did it represent and great message, the symbolic elements were well executed and were easily seen.
From: Thara
In your photo “Yes I’m a girl” there were a lot of creative elements that I found interesting. The whole idea of this was to generally show how gender schemas, and norms can change a person. Starting off with the scene, it was very smart to place her in the bathroom being that usually when girls are in the bathroom looking in the mirror their typically putting makeup on, or participating in any other “feminine” tasks. The walls being purple and the floor maps being pink really enhance the persona of a “girly girl” which she is not. Next, look at the angles and positioning of the photo. The camera is placed in the corner of the bathroom up high to where the model looks small. This could symbolize an outcast, less worthy, and not empowered. The camera is also placed far away from her causing space between her and the camera which could also symbolize the emptiness she has within society’s expectations. Or the space could represent the disinterest she has between gender norms. Although with the space between her, the camera, and the “girly” room she still has this body language that expresses confidence and acceptance. Even though she isn’t the ideal girl we are used to seeing in magazine’s and in everyday life, she’s aware she’s different, but accepts the way she is. I really liked this photo not only did it represent and great message, the symbolic elements were well executed and were easily seen.
From Mariah
The photo, “Yes I’m a girl” strongly shows how females are stereotyped. The setting is in a feminine, bright purple bathroom, a place typically where most girls are seen doing their makeup, nails, hair etc. Instead, Morgan is being cornered by beauty products, a frilly dress, and the word “beautiful” on the wall, and shows great distaste in her stance and facial expression. The way the photo was taken, the products are almost seen as taunting “bullies” by the way they are surrounding her, yet she shows indifference. The angle is facing down on her, similar to the way society looks on to people who challenge stereotypes. Yet, she is the main focus, showing she is above the said gender norms
Morgan’s attire strongly contrasts against all the elements around her. Her clothes challenge the stereotype boys and girls are supposed to dress differently. They are dark and not seen as girly, representing Morgan doesn’t care that she is different from the typical female. She is comfortable and feels beautiful in boxers and loose jeans, typically stereotyped “boy” clothing. All these purposeful and creative elements support the message that being different from society is deemed unacceptable, though it is more important to be who you truly are.
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