The saying “Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus” makes it seems like girls and boys are so different from each other. It is true that we have a lot of differences, but most of the differences are created by “humans.” The communication differences between girls and boys are well established from the day they are born. If we look at the different conversation rituals between girls and boys, we can see how this differences start. The Merriam Webster dictionary defines conversation as an “oral exchange of sentiments, observation, opinions and ideas.” The “conversation rituals for boys focus more on stablishing status” (Rellihan 11); they usually are allowed to share more stories with “achievement themes” (rellihan 11), and are not allowed to share their feelings. The expression “boys don’t cry” reflex boys conversation rituals. The conversation rituals for girls are totally different. Girls are encouraged to “establish similarity and connection” (Rellihan 11), express emotions, like sadness. The photo shows the different ways that girls and boys are encouraged to communicate. In the left side of the photo, I use a heart, a symbol of emotions, as a frame to show how girls are taught to see the world in an emotional way. The colors pink and purple are used to represent tenderness, acceptance and nurture. The girls are hugging each other because girls are encouraged to find similarities in the world and a hug is the symbol of peace, closeness, and warmth. One of them is holding a sign saying “way to go” that is usually how girls are supposed to use their words. The conversations for girls are gentler. On the right side of the photograph, I used a start as a frame because it represents being the best, which is what boys are taught to be. The colors black and gray represent power, dignity, and strength, but the colors also show how men are supposed to see the world in a monotonous way. The facial expression is serious because boys are not supposed to show or express emotions like sadness or any type of weakness. The boy is holding a sign that says number 1 because men are encouraged to be the ones holding control and power. The two photos are connected through a green margin because it represents nature, new beginning and growth. Boys need to learn to see the world with more emotions, while girls need to learn to have a better self-steam and try to see their lives as their own, not as just being part of someone else’s stories. There is not a single human that really comes from Venus or Mars. We learn these ideas that box people into the different gender categories and they shape the way boys and girls communicate.
Work cited
“Conversation.” Collegiate Dictionary. Merriam-Webster, 2018, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/conversation.
Rellihan, Heather. “The Socialization of Gender in Children,” 2018, https://aacc.instructure.com/courses/89307/files/6344757?module_item_id=1939043
1 comment:
From: Lexondria
I really love the idea behind your photo it shows the differences in the way men and women act. Instead of using facial expression you use colors which I thought were a really good way to show emotion and a different technique. The symbolism with your framing is very inventive, using the heart for females representing how emotional women are supposed to be. A star for boys representing the way they are taught to be the best. Also, the symbolism of the little signs they are holding capitalizing on the way girls and boys are taught to communicate with each other. The way you use a green border to represent growth and change is smart. I agree with your final point of how boys and girls need to change the way they view things, but also I want to add that it needs to be more of an overall change in society.
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