Intellectual Elaboration
Among the many examples of gender or racial stereotyping that can be found from film or media, I chose the following; Gender Stereotypes within Children, Labels Against Women, and Raise the Red Latern. The Gender Stereotypes within Children has emphasis on how children respond from the given questions about the difference between a boy and a girl. The Labels Against Women talks about a commercial advertisement that represents women empowerment. The movie entitled Raise the Red Lantern demonstrates polygamy happened in China during the era of warlords, before the civil war of the country .
Do children develop stereotypes? The answer is yes. Children develop stereotypes. The children from age 4 to 9 can simply provide their answer when ask about how boys and girls are different. They can differentiate everything and anything when they are asked about what boys and girls wear, who will typically take care of the baby if its mommy or daddy, and who would clean the house. In addition, they simply answered when asked about who will fix things when it is broken, who likes to play sports, who usually cooks at home, who plays doll, and who is better.
Does gender dias still exist? If the answer would be no, why women who are in charge of something is usually called bossy while men who do the same act is just his job as a boss? When mothers are devoted on their career they are seen as selfish while fathers are considered as dedicated? Would you be surprise if the recent study conducted shows that 70 percent of men feel that women would have to downplay their personality for them to be accepted ? The fact that the Philippines ranks number 5 in gender equality, however, a survey conducted by the social news network Rappler has revealed that there is a prevalent issue on gender bias. It clearly shows that bias exists in the workplace when statistics shows that 66 percent of females and 77 percent males believe that men deserve employment more compared to women. This simply violate the ethical principle on fairness and respect for others.
In “Raise the Red Lantern,” polygamy is openly demonstrated in the film, shows how feudal society affects the women living unbearable lives, and how they survive due to inequalities and violence . The film demonstrated horrible events with personalities that are abused by someone with power in the family, the master. The women in the movie are abused by their master. The act of adultery is portrayed; however, it is part of their custom. The adulterous act is the manner in which the feelings of women are tortured emotionally. Indeed, the emotional violence has a negative effect for women. In addition, the scenario in the movie shows how wealthy men are dominant. It only shows how weak women are. Women do not have the same social status as men and they suffered all aspects of pressure. Women play passive and weak roles in the society and men are more superior. Men violated and oppressed the women. People nowadays should reflect from the past to change for the better or think deeply about equality between men and women, respectively.
Reference
Arteaga, S. (2012, Dec. 10). Gender Stereotypes within Children [Video File]. Retrieved from
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGDTKBt9uOs
Pantene Philippines. (2013, Nov. 9). Labels Against Women | #ShineStrong Pantene [Video
Zhang, Y. (Director). (1991). Raise the Red Latern [Motion Picture].
