Assassin's Creed

From: Lisa

I took this photo to represent the topic “Two Cultures of Childhood.” It would be nice to believe that gender stereotypes don’t exist or go away as children grow into adults. In this photo we see that gender stereotypes are in full gear. B, a 4 year old boy and Robert, a 21 year old male are doing what boys do best; playing video games. “Over time the more boys play with boys and girls with girls the more gender typed their play activities become.” (Rudman and Glick [page 59]) I chose to have the boys ignoring the photographer, a female, to support the statement from Rudman and Glick. The boys are focused on their video game instead of acknowledging being photographed. I decided to capture this photo with a polaroid camera after trying to use my phone when B said “taking pictures is for girls.” I decided to use Bryce’s advice and take the photo using an artsier camera; something a girl would have.  “At 3 to 4 years of age, girls become less likely to engage in physical aggression, whereas boys become more likely to do so.” (Rudman and Glick [page 63]). Not seen in this photo is the video game the boys are playing, the game is called Assassin’s Creed. The title speaks for itself on boys and physical aggression and how it is still seen as acceptable to promote violence in these children. I took off all the decorative colorful pillows off the couch to really capture the “boys only” essence of gender socialization because bright colors are for girls. In the background of this photo you don’t see any color on the walls or any decorations because that wouldn’t be seen as masculine.  I chose to capture both boys in this photo to show how gender socialization affects children as they grow into adults. Even though these boys are so far apart in age, boys still play with boys and not girls. At the young age of 4 most boys know that being affectionate is looked down upon; which is why I decided to capture these boys sitting close together yet making sure not to be close enough to be physically touching each other. I believe this photo accurately captures one of the “Two Cultures of Childhood” and how it continues into adulthood.