Cassidy Titchenell

Syeda Menebhi
Gender Studies
June 12, 2017

Gender Studies Final Project: Personal Narrative

Cass, go help your aunt and grandmother make the sauce.

Cass, wanna watch the baby so Ernesto can take his wife out?

Cass, do the dishes for your mother.

Cass, you better be careful picking on your brother like that. Boys always get stronger

when theyre older. Nana always told us that.

Cass, Cass, Cass. Cass because you are a girl so you should learn to be good in the

kitchen. Cass because you should be good with babies due to your innate nurturing sense as a

young woman. Cass because the hours of homework you have are less important than the dishes

that your younger brother, Colin, could take a turn doing instead of playing yet again, another

PS4 game. Oh and a favorite, Cass better watch out when standing up for herself or speaking to

her brother because even though he is younger, he will get taller, stronger, and more impulsive

one day.

Jeez. My name is followed by so many different labels and stereotypes about women that

its pretty sickening. I am much more than just a girl, a young women, that is able to help cook,

clean, and babysit. I am far more than my gender. And while I do enjoy babysitting or helping in

the kitchen, it is not all that I know how to do, nor is it all that I would like to do.
 As a child, I grew up with pink bedroom walls and enough dolls for an army of young

girls. My wardrobe consisted of dresses, skirts, and flats. Along with that, my hair was always

done with a bow, a cute headband, clip, or scrunchie. Each morning before school as my gram

did my hair and I whined about the pain, I was reminded that if I wanted to look pretty, I would

have to be a big girl and quit complaining. As I grew a bit older, I was put into baseball, which I

enjoyed, until I began dancing at Dance Attitudes. (And yes, baaaseballlll-- Not softball, not

t-ball. Baseball.) Once I got into that, baseball became a second priority and later on a separate

chapter in my life. I guess I just preferred to be on a stage dancing in beautiful costumes, rather

than playing with a ball and bat. In the sixth grade and as I continued to dance, I was registered

to cheerlead for the Oakwood Raiders while my brother played football. Throughout middle

school, I was one of the many girls who majored in dance at Jenks Junior High School,

enhancing my experiences with different dance genres and increasing my stage time.

In addition to the stated aspects of my life, I have also always been reminded of the

norms that play into being a girl-- Dress nicely, act lady like, and smile every so often. My

grandmother and Godmother never fail to ensure that I not only uphold certain societal

standards, but embrace them.

Now, please do not mistake my observation and slight sarcasm for disagreement. I love

being a girl. Getting my nails/hair done, spending time in the bathroom, and having it be socially

acceptable that I care about my appearance is all something that I appreciate. When I did dance,

it was not only a form of staying active each day, but it was also a passion. And today, I still

enjoy cheerleading for a group of rambunctious, sweaty high school boys. My walls continue

being pink and purple while a few dolls remain unbothered in a bin in my room. (Okay, so I
dont want to say that I care that the dolls are still there or that my walls are pink/purple.

However, I do wish to redo my room because I am 17 now and it can get embarrassing at times,

but, thats besides the point). Point is, I am unbothered about the fact that I was raised as a girl

and continue to portray myself as a one to society today.

While I do enjoy this part of my identity, I do wonder at times how society and my

family have impacted each decision I choose to make. Do I wear a dress to school and go to the

bathroom every few periods to see how I look because I want to? Or am I doing it for everyone

else?

Also, it bothers me that I am expected of certain things. I am expected to happily be the

cook, maid, and babysitter of the house when there is not another woman around to do it. It is

also bothersome that despite having a vehicle and being much more responsible than Colin, I

have a curfew and if I break it good luck to me. Having a genuine friend of the opposite sex is

questionable and being catcalled by grown men that probably have wives/daughters of their own

as I walk home from school is okay. Being a girl in the 21st Century in itself is not easy and I am

tired of being expected to live it a certain way.

Regardless, I am proud of the girl that I am today-- with all of the pink, purple, and

stereotypes included.
Cassidy Titchenell
Syeda Menebhi
Gender Studies
June 12, 2017

Gender Studies Final Project: Personal Narrative Connections

Connection #1: Missrepresentation

Personal Narrative Evidence-

Part A:
Cass, go help your aunt and grandmother make the sauce.
Cass, wanna watch the baby so Ernesto can take his wife out?
Cass, do the dishes for your mother.
Cass, you better be careful picking on your brother like that. Boys
always get stronger when theyre older. Nana always told us that.
Part B:
...I do wonder at times how society and my family have impacted
each decision I choose to make. Do I wear a dress to school and go
to the bathroom every few periods to see how I look because I want
to? Or am I doing it for everyone else?
Also, it bothers me that I am expected of certain things. I am
expected to happily be the cook, maid, and babysitter of the
house when there is not another woman around to do it. It is
also bothersome that despite having a vehicle and being
much more responsible than Colin, I have a curfew and if I
break it good luck to me. Having a genuine friend of the
opposite sex is questionable and being catcalled by grown
men that probably have wives/daughters of their own as I
walk home from school is okay. Being a girl in the 21st
Century in itself is not easy and I am tired of being expected
to live it a certain way.

Connection-
Part A:
 The above quote from my personal narrative connects to the film Missrepresentation in
that it highlights the stereotypical norms and expectations that are set for women in
society. My shared personal experiences exhibit some of the many everyday reminders
and assumptions women are presented with each day. This connects to the film since
similar to my experiences, Missrepresentation highlights the norms that are pressured into
the life of a women.
Part B:
My personal narrative also connects to the film since I explained the issues I have often
been faced with, which is similar to Missrepresentation, which raises attention to critical
issues regarding gender in society today.

Connection #2: Western Tradition and Women in Society

Personal Narrative Evidence-

...you are a girl so you should learn to be good in the kitchen. Cass
because you should be good with babies due to your innate nurturing sense
as a young woman. Cass because the hours of homework you have are less
important than the dishes that your younger brother, Colin, could take a
turn doing instead of playing yet again, another PS4 game. Oh and a
favorite, Cass better watch out when standing up for herself or speaking to
her brother because even though he is younger, he will get taller, stronger,
and more impulsive one day.

Connection-
The stereotypes and misconceptions explained within my narrative highlight how society
and the past, such as Western Traditions, have affected peoples personal beliefs and
have carried into societal norms today. By expressing the importance of cooking,
cleaning, and babysitting, among other things, I was able to connect my narrative to the
Western Traditions passed on throughout history.