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Dominique Quezada

Stephanie Maenhardt

ENGL1050

April 26, 2016

Reflection: Gender Roles

Throughout the course, I have had reoccurring ideas about gender

roles and how society perceives and treats men and women differently. I can

recall various situations where my actions and responses were assumed, and

its interesting to reflect on many of the readings from the text and compare

my experiences with others. It was also interesting to understand that these

experiences are not only similar to men and women in American, but can be

related to various cultures and countries around the world. Specifically, I

wanted to explore how gender roles are introduced to us and if/how they are

reinforced throughout our lives.

When I reflect on my own personal experiences, I can recall various

instances in my life when my gender and gender role were reinforced.

Growing up with brothers, it became frustrating when I wasnt permitted to

be involved in the same activities as them and vice versa. These gender

roles created a lot of tension over the years because I couldnt understand

why they existed and why I was being forced to obey them. As I transitioned

from adolescent to teen, it became more apparent that my parents werent

going to change. Delilah Montoya mentions similar thoughts about the

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stereotypes surrounding female behavior, A social understanding has always

been that a woman is not to witness, demonstrate, or indulge in acts of

violence (211). The more I learned about other people and families, the

more realized how crippling gender roles can be. The parameters that define

who we are supposed to be based on our gender, restrict us from becoming

the best versions of ourselves.

Society and the mainstream media have created a specific idea about

how men and women should look, act and carry themselves throughout their

lives. Gender roles are so casually instilled into our society, it can become

difficult to understand what is right and wrong. John Berger makes several

comments about the differences about men and women and how we view

each other, She has to survey everything she is and everything she does

because how she appears to others, and ultimately how she appears to men,

is of crucial importance for what is normally thought of as the success of her

life (193). Bergers ideas stem from his attempt to tie together modern

media (advertisements) and classic European art. Although there are distinct

differences in context between historical paintings and mainstream media, it

can be dangerous to portray women in the same way. Insisting that a man or

woman is only perceived in a specific way can lead to crippling limitations for

the individual and for society.

Another skewed representation of gender roles I viewed are the public

service announcements included in the text (221). Directed at men in the

military during WWII, these posters blame only women for the spread of
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venereal diseases, rather than holding both men and women accountable.

Katherine Dodds also makes similar remarks about how dangerous it can be

to portray gender roles, Advertising doesnt just create images, it

constructs differences between men and women, which operate under the

assumption that they reflect a universal timeless truth (214). Public

representations of men and women in the media are usually damaging

because they reinforce ideas about who we are supposed to be. Anything

that deviates from societys mainstream culture can be interpreted as wrong.

If we strive to reinvent how we see ourselves and how others see us, drastic

changes and steps toward acceptance are only going to create stronger

connections in society.

Being introduced to several different viewpoints helped me think

critically and analytically about diversity, as well as make conclusions and

confirmations about my beliefs. It was interesting to compare my opinions

about gender and diversity to the readings from the text. My ideas and

opinions were challenged and I was forced to reflect on the reasons why I

think and feel the way I do. I think that creating open conversations about

our differences is the first step to overcoming negative stereotypes and

negative feelings about embracing diversities. Although it may seem

challenging to some, these steps towards progress are only going to benefit

us. Its most important that we are happy and comfortable being ourselves.

John Bonner describes how he felt when he was attacked in kindergarten by

a group of sixth grade boys, They continued shoving me between them until
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I fell backward and hit my head on the pavement. I still didnt cry. They could

see the blood starting to drip from my hair (Bonner, 2016). Stories like

these are why I encourage positive change. No one should be harassed or

bullied because of traditional ideas about men and women and how we are

supposed to act. Acts of violence are only going to discourage individuals

from being themselves, and ultimately suppress our differences. Social

changes are going to occur regardless of any attempt to suppress them. This

course has helped me realize that I not only need to embrace diversity, but

actively seek out ways to encourage diversity.

Works Cited

Berger, John. Ways of Seeing. Reading Culture: Contexts for Critical

Reading and Writing.

Diana George and John Trimbur. New York: Longman, 2012. 193-201.

Print.

Bonner, John. Will You Join Me? Huffington Post.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/5830d6f7e4b08c963e344034?

timestamp=1479596712604, 2016.

Montoya, Delilah. Women Boxers: The New Warriors Reading Culture:

Contexts for Critical

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Reading and Writing. Diana George and John Trimbur. New York:

Longman, 2012. 211-

212. Print.

George and Trimbur. Reading Culture: Contexts for Critical Reading and

Writing. New York:

Longman, 2012. 214, 220-221. Print.