At a very
young age, boys and girls are taught to act differently from each other. In the article “The Two culture of
Childhood” the author suggests that children learn gender schemes from their
social environments (Rudman Et Al). Most young girls spend more time with their mother or older siblings
and learn gender schemas from them and young boys spend more time with their
father or older brother and also learn gender schemas from them. In the article
the author also stated, “Gender schemas become
part of self-identity, influencing children’s preferences, attitudes and
behavior as they strive to act in socially appropriate “masculine” or
“feminine” ways (Rudman Et Al).” Girls are labeled weak in the society which
results for their toys and feminine objects to be “soft” or “smooth.”
I chose five individual
creative techniques when setting up my photograph which are color, camera
angle, symbolism, gaze, and background to emphasize gender schema at a very
young age. First, I choose the technique of color and used pink as an
emphasizes of femininity as shown in her shoes, dress and headband because
colors such as blue and pink can distinguish the gender of an individual.
Second, I used the camera angle technique which I deliberately capture the
photo upward that conveys she is a role model for her younger female siblings
and she is someone they can look up to because she follows gender role from
dressing and acting feminine. Third, I used her cross legs to symbolize
elegance and beauty that is learned from her mother at a very young age and to
show what was stated in the article that “girls are less likely to engage in
physical aggression” (Rudman Et Al). Fourth, I used the technique of gaze that
is shown in the picture that the girl (which is my niece) is looking at her
“baby doll” in a nurturing way. In
the article “The Two culture of Childhood” the author stated, “Girls’ pretend
play often includes assuming family roles” (Rudman
Et Al). In the picture
the girl is pretending to be the mother and her doll was the baby. She is
caring for her child by carrying it in a warm and nurturing way. Lastly, I used
background technique to further emphasize the types of toys girls play with. In
this picture we can see a teddy bear, doll, colorful mice, and a case of “play
sick” which has a first aid equipment. The background illustrates the “feminine
traits” of young girls such as gentleness, nurturance, and warmth that was
discussed in the article (Rudman Et Al).
Gender
schemas are influenced by the environment and causes the children to segregate
and create social worlds that are very different from one another. Toys are one
major aspect to neutralize gender schema because if there weren’t gender toys
all children can play with any toys they want.
3 comments:
I think this really good idea. because when I was a kid there were a lot of stuff that made me this way. i could have been having different personalities but i was told to be this I am by the toys and lectures that they have been giving in to me
From: Sarah. I agree with your initial sentence: that boys and girls are taught to act differently from each other. As we grow up, our parents want us to play with and do things that are considered “manly” or “girly”. I think your photo is a good representation of your theme. The little girl is sitting with her legs crossed, I was taught that at a young age, to sit like a lady. She is dressed up very nice, with a cute dress and sandals, she is holding a baby doll as if it were a real child. This is all behavior we are taught when we grow up. I also like how you used gaze and camera angle to emphasize the young girl looking at her baby, but having the camera angled up to make her look more powerful. The quote you picked, “Gender schemas become part of self-identity, influencing children’s preferences, attitude and behavior as they strive to act in socially appropriate “masculine” or “feminine” ways” (Rudman Et Al). This quote is very important because it really does sum up how gender norms become part of our personality as we grow up. I like how you brought up the quote from the article, “The Two Cultures of Childhood” because girls really are taught how take on family roles when they play. Whenever I played “house” with my friends when I was little, I was always the mom or dad, taking care of my children” All together, I enjoy the photo you took and you wrote a very compelling essay!
From: Iris
I love how you have captivated the topic of gender schemas in children. I specifically wanted to focus on the meaning that your photograph holds specifically with the symbolism of the girl in the photo crossing her legs. As a child I was taught that sitting with my legs crossed was the proper way to sit and when I refused and said it was uncomfortable, I was told to stop and ‘sit like a lady’. Furthermore, I was told that I spread my legs like a man when I refused to cross my legs. This perfectly captures what society deems as acceptable and what it also rejects in terms of behavior in women and these ideas start and are taught at a very young age. If this young girl had done all the opposite for example starting with the simple gesture of uncrossing her legs especially since she is wearing a dress, this photograph could have a completely different meaning. The quote used at the beginning of the essay perfectly sums up this topic, “Gender schemas become part of self-identity, influencing children’s preferences, attitudes and behavior as they strive to act in socially appropriate “masculine” or “feminine” ways (Rudman Et Al).” I believe this photo is the perfect example of the socially accepted 'feminine' behavior. Great Photo and Essay!
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