THROUGHOUT history, we have seen our once narrowly defined gender roles progressively expand. Today, women serve in the armed forces, work as surgeons and participate in the highest levels of government. Men are stay-at-home dads, have careers in nursing and are even self-defined feminists. Yet every day, women and men are typecast according to their gender in destructive ways.
We all have heard these stereotypes - men are "strong," women are "weak," men should act "manly," women should act "girly," he is a "stupid jock" and she is a "dumb blonde." And columns such as "The guy's guide to a girl's workout" (April 19) rely on them in an attempt to be funny.
Gender stereotypes are so pervasive we sometimes do not even recognize them. Instead, we laugh at them and promote them. Negative gender stereotypes are damaging, however. They affect both men and women, and they restrict individuals who are otherwise incredibly unique and talented.
Stereotypes are harmful because they offer an oversimplified image of a particular individual and undermine the characteristics that make each person unique. Boys and girls learn from an early age that to fit into society, they must conform to certain gender-based expectations. These standards are socially contrived and restrict the personal choices of maturing women and men. Though we may not buy into these generalizations, they nevertheless manifest in subtle ways and have larger effects in society than we might imagine.
A recent film study conducted by the Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism at the University of Southern California, for example, found that women in Hollywood are "seen and not heard." Of the top 100 grossing films of 2008, women held only 33 percent of the 4,370 speaking roles. Women also were more likely to be seen naked and in sexualized clothing than were male characters. Such stereotypes contribute directly to misrepresentation of women and lead to endemic disparities in the workplace. For example, women still face a 20 percent pay gap and will earn $13 trillion less in worldwide annual income than their male co-workers.
Furthermore, the progress we have achieved in terms of gender equality is fragile. Even the laws protecting women from sexual discrimination remain dubious. Recently, Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia declared that the Constitution does not protect women from discrimination. Scalia has argued repeatedly that the term "person" included in the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment may not apply to women. Though this may seem absurd, the mere fact that one of the nation's Supreme Court justices would question the Constitution's role in protecting women's equality shows the need for increased constitutional protections, as well as rejections of the tired gender stereotypes.
Beyond gender discrimination, stereotypes also promote gender violence. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, domestic violence affects 25 to 50 percent of all women in heterosexual relationships during their lifetimes. Trying to live up to society's preconceived notions of masculinity, some men enter relationships with ill-formed notions of power and control. Moreover, gender violence affects individuals of all races, ethnicities, religions, ages and sexual orientations. Buying into gender stereotypes reinforces a culture of violence that ruins lives.
In our society, it is still widely acceptable to poke fun at gender stereotypes. Sexist jokes are condoned under the guise of amiable humor. We are meant to laugh, not take offense. If we do not laugh, we are considered a killjoy.
The reason some women may take offense at sexist humor, however, is quite simple. Every day, women are told by the media and entertainment industry in the United States that their most attractive qualities are their age, weight and sexual appeal. Intellect, talents and beliefs pale in comparison to beauty and youth. Catcalling, street harassment, lewd remarks, whistling, leering, honks and disparaging sexual comments are common occurrences. Domestic and sexual violence are widespread, and underlying these lifelong social problems is the gender stereotype. It tells us that men and women are different in certain ways and that these differences are inherently negative for women.
If we lived in a perfect world, gender would be a non-issue. People would be judged and rewarded for their personal merits rather than their biological differences. The United States has a long and embattled history of social oppression as a result of difference, however. This history calls for heightened self-awareness when it comes to gender issues. Despite what some may believe, we do not yet live in a post-gendered society. Women continue to face gross disparities and real discrimination.
Gender is an emotive subject. Sexist jokes quickly become a source of pain. As a result, our conversations concerning gender should be handled with care. Relying on stereotypes is destructive and only reinforces false images that perpetuate social inequalities.
Throughout the years, we have seen drastic changes in what men and women can and cannot do. Rather than place others in boxes, we should celebrate all that is wonderful about individualism.
Ashley Chappo's column normally appeared Wednesdays in The Cavalier Daily. She can be reached at a.chappo@cavalierdaily.com.
Read More
SULLIVAN: Ramp up physical accessibility on Grounds
By Scarlett Sullivan | 6 hours agoThe University must take responsibility for the inaccessibility of Grounds and work to promote accessibility for all students despite misguided laws.
EDITORIAL: Scapegoating students will not stop hazing
By Editorial Board | 3 days agoInstead of retroactively responding to extreme hazing allegations, we, and especially the University, must begin asking more probing questions about the role of fraternal organizations on Grounds.
EDITORIAL: Celebrating and reflecting on The Cavalier Daily’s independence
By Editorial Board | April 18, 2024Our independence grants us the ability to ask the hard questions and to say what University representatives cannot.
