From: Benjamin
As we grow up, we are instilled with expectations associated with both the male and female sexes. These associations can (and do) dictate how most people live and socialize with others of the same and opposite sex. These expectations are known as gender scripts and are taught to us by those around us from birth. In my photo, titled “Let’s Play?”, we see a doll gazing in the background at a variety of toys typically associated with boys in the foreground. This photo can represent a myriad of interpretations regarding gender scripts that are ultimately up to the viewer.
As a viewer, you may be wondering “Why doesn’t the doll just come and join the rest of the toys in the yard?” The reasoning behind this is best described by three quotes from the reading The Two Cultures of Childhood written by Rudman et al.:
“Children quickly develop strong gender schemas (Bem,. 1981, 1989), cognitive associations of different attributes, behaviors, objects, or social practices with “male” and “female” . . . 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 (Martin & Ruble, 2004).”
Girls are not typically associated with the toys shown in the photo, and as stated above, children strive to act in these socially appropriate, gender confirming ways. You could argue that the doll does not wish to break the expectation of not playing with boy’s toys, which coincides with the next quote. “Most likely, children have learned to avoid being seen playing with toys associated with the other gender (Bannerjee & Lintern, 2000). Thus, children not only segregate themselves by playing with same-sex peers but engage in different kinds of play within these groups.”
Another possible take on the photo is that the doll simply does not wish to play with the other toys due to learned attitudes towards the opposite sex. “. . . Children’s attitudes about the other sex are often more overtly hostile, representing well-entrenched intergroup attitudes.” Girls learn through socializing that boys and girls are not supposed to mix and as a result form negative attitudes towards the opposite sex, making the idea of play between them undesirable. This gender script just goes to further separate and reinforce the divide between both sexes.
“Let’s Play?” uses a variety of elements to represent the idea of gender scripts and the learned divide between male and female. The element of space is seen in how the toys in the foreground appear larger and more powerful, while the doll in the background appears small and frail. This overlaps with the expectation of men being more powerful while women are less so and stay behind the scenes. This element works alongside the gaze of the doll towards the foreground where the rest of the toys lay; the meaning of the gaze left up to the viewer’s interpretation (whether that be longing, disdain, or something else). This culminates together with color: the doll is left in a dark, shady background giving it a sad ambience while the other toys are brightly colored and cause the doll to stick out in the photo as if she does not belong.
Work Cited
Rudman, Laurie A., et al. "The Two Cultures of Childhood." The Social Psychology of Gender: How Power and Intimacy Shape Gender Relations. The Guilford Press, 2015, 59-63.
1 comment:
From Brandy:
Benjamin,
I think your picture does a great job at showcasing how gender scripts control many lives from an early age. I find it very interesting how you have the doll posed and gazing at the boy toys in the foreground. The contrast between the items in the foreground and the items in the background really highlights how society views both boys and men as the dominant sex because their items are strategically placed in the foreground while the girl’s toy, that symbolizes the female gender, are the more passive gender because they are in the background. After reviewing the picture, I was able to interpret it in a couple of different ways. The first being that the doll in the picture simply does not want to be involved with the boy’s toys. This idea goes along with the quote that you inserted from The Two Cultures of Childhood speaking about how the doll does not desire to play with the other toys because of negative attitudes towards the opposite sex. In addition to this, Rudman stated in The Two Cultures of Childhood that “Children rarely play with toys associated with the other sex, which happens for less than 5% of children’s playtime (Fagot et al., 2000). Most likely, children Have learned to avoid being seen playing with toys associated with the other gender.” (Martin & Ruble, 2004). I think that this quote does a good job at explaining what is going on in this picture. The girl doll may want to play with the boy toys but is afraid of what society will say about her for doing so and this is why she is cowered away in the background of the photo, hiding in the shadows. So, because she is worried about what others may think, she does not want to partake in any play associated with the opposite sex. Overall, I think you did a great job at using creative elements such as foreground/ background, symbolism, gaze, and taking up space to get your message across. The photo is clear and is easy to understand. Great work!
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