Espinoza 1

Jasmine Espinoza

Professor Lawson

English 113B

Final Draft

11 May 2017

Word Count: 1671

We Overthrow Many Expected Notions

Women have faced many hardships and assumptions over many years and are now

finally being perceived as equals. Today women are becoming adamant on being independent

and following the idea of becoming strong and successful alone and not having a man by their

side. The different gender roles society has implemented have made it difficult for women to be

independent. Men and women were viewed differently which leads to unequal treatment. Around

the 1900s men were portrayed superior and reliable while women were dependent and

vulnerable. Women were perceived to be submissive, while men were to be praised for being

dominant. Media such as TV shows, movies, and theater would influence the stereotype of what

a woman is and how she should act. As time went by and new perspectives were formed, gender

roles progressed into demolishing the concept of gender equality. Today, society has developed a

new attitude particularly regarding womens roles, this changing attitude is reflected in our

media. Although some women continue to depend on a male figure, the role of a woman has

become one of independence and self-determination.

In the 1900s women were expected to have a certain reputation. They were known to be

nice, compassionate, and respectful. For a female, her only goal was to marry a man and care for

the family while the man works outside of the house. Assumptions were made about women as
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society believed womens role was, to nurture her family by working full-time within the home

rather than taking employment outside of the home (Blackstone). Creating a child takes two

parents, so why were women targeted to stay home? Men on the other hand were known to be an

authority figure who must be obeyed. This means that men were the heads of their households

by providing financially for the family and making important family decisions (Blackstone).

Womens capabilities were doubted and underestimated by society. Society gave every woman a

purpose and every wife had an obligation to the husband. For example, women were supposed

to fulfill certain roles, such as a caring mother, a diligent homemaker, and an obedient wife

(Blackstone). Wives had to obey and follow, her man's every order and agreed with him on

everything, according to the medias standards (Blackstone). History has proven that women

had no voice and were not recognized for their strength, independence, or income. Instead media

recognized women for their responsibilities at home and obedience.

Many people do not realize the power of persuasion media has towards society. The

perspectives we have now were influenced by what we have seen and heard from TV shows,

movies and theaters. For example, in the movie Dear John (2010), they portray, a broken

woman with a troubled past and/or dark secret, who needs rescuing from a man (Underhill).

Women are being deceived and brainwashed with the concept of needing to be saved by a man

instead of rescuing themselves. Film industries send a message to their viewers of how a woman

must look or role they must follow. Movies like Snow White (1938) show a stereotypical insight

of womens roles by presenting to children and adults that Snow White (women) must look

presentable at all timeseven when cleaning and cooking for the dwarfs (men). Most romantic,

fictional, and kids movies depict a stereotypical woman and what her role is. Men are depicted
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as womens saviors and lifelines, they are strong, reliable, and dominant. In movies men are out

to be independent, strong, and a hero.

In superhero movies men are showcased for their skills, traits, and appearance.

Spiderman (2002) and The Incredible Hulk (2008), for example, portray men as saviors

defending the world and its innocent citizens. In the movie Spider-Man (2002), plots a storyline

between saving the innocent citizens and saving a woman. The movie focuses on the love

interest between Mary Jane and Peter Parker(Spider-Man), who is not only skilled and viewed as

a leader, but intelligent as well. Where Mary Jane on the other hand, is viewed as woman who

struggles at home with her father and needs her ex-boyfriend to help distract her. Later in the

movie, she jumps into different relationships because she is incapable of being alone. Women are

incapable of being defensive and strong. They must, work in a team rather than alone, although

men do not (Miller). Women were known to be, irrational or overly emotional, while men

were, ambitious and task-oriented in their work (Blackstone). Over the years women have

been given roles to play, but the roles have altered and now establish a sense of independence

and power. Especially in film industries, women have been given characters who fend for

themselves and are capable of rescuing themselves.

Within time, film industries, social media, and celebrities became open minded to the

idea of womens independence. Societies outlook on womens independence became acceptable

and understanding. As women strived to be independent they needed a role model to look up to,

someone who has a voice and who the public is listening to. For instance, Beyonc is a known

artist that many people listen to and praise. One of her songs which is titled 6-inch focuses on

how a woman is supposed to present herself and strive to be. The lyrics read, she works for the

money, from the start to the finish. While short and simple, Beyonc is sending a message to
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her audience that women are capable of being financially stable without a man. The beat in her

song is empowering; it is consistent and emphasizes how women can be strong and independent.

Similarly, more of her lyrics state, she walks in the club like nobodys business. Upon

analysis, this lyric can be interpreted as a females profession being nobody elses concern but

their own. Also, in the song Flawless, Beyonc shares her input on how society teaches women

to, aim to be successful but not too successful otherwise you will threaten the man. Besides

stating what society has to say, she addresses how it does not teach men the same roles. Her song

is encouraging and motivatingshe enlightens her audience to take a stand for gender equality.

Beyonc has given insight of what an independent woman is and how all she needs is herself.

What women choose to do and be is up to her because shes providing for herself and not relying

on any significant other than herself.

Women today have now come to represent a sense of empowerment and stability without

having to rely on their significant other specifically a male figure. For example, women have

worked to break free from [the] stereotypes and discrimination (Independent Women). The

ideal woman is no longer to obey what a man has to say, but what the individual desires to do.

The stereotypical woman being, less important, knowledgeable, and capable than men, is false

(Miller and Kaplan). Women are now being acknowledged for their strength physically and

mentally; women are no longer less than a man. The gender roles from the 1900s have slowly

demolished today and now society is starting to view women as equal to men. More women now

work outside of the house and are not obligated to be a housewife. The majority of the women

now rely on themselves and are reliable towards others. Men are no longer the only gender who

give orders and contain power. Some women are as aggressive and adamant as men are.

However, not every women likes being reliable and accountable for supporting themselves, there
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are some women like the idea of being taken care of.

Although, there are some women who do want to be become independent and not be

considered a stereotypical woman, there are those who continue to be dependent. Some may

want to continue being provided for and having someone to provide for them. We all have

different perspectives and mindsets on a particular topic, but the choice is given. Females are no

longer forced or obligated to obey anyone and do not have to be married. For example, Some

parents do not ask their children for their opinion when they consider it appropriate for them to

get married (Department of Justice). Before, parents believed their daughters needed a man by

her side to be taken care of. Now, the choice is given and no one is obligated to any partner or

marriage. On the other hand, women and men influence gender expectations. Is there a

difference between chivalry and sexism? Women and men tend to be confused in certain

situations and use the word sexism. For instance, a stereotypical woman likes to play the victim

and when a female does not like the outcome between a dispute of a male and female, they tend

to call it sexism. However, when men do it, it is known as chivalry. In addition, when a male

takes out a female, a man [is] always [expected] to pay for the date (Who Pays on a Date). Is

this called chivalry or sexism? Most women will say chivalry, but in the workforce if a man

receives a higher salary than a woman it is known as sexism. It is known that, women, on

average, earn less than men in nearly every single occupation (Pay Equality & Discrimination).

So, naturally women believe men can support them more than women can for themselves.

Women are known to be dependent on a man, but it is only known when women play the victim.

A female can be strong, independent, and stable on her own with no male figure to guide her or

boss her around. The way women allow themselves to be treated and spoke to is up to the

individual. Society no longer limits a specific gender role to a woman and man.
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Gender stereotypes will always exist, but over the years it will change and alter towards

women being more independent and reliable. Media has a greater impact on changing societies

perspective on different gender roles, but did not promote equality roles until celebrities

promoted independency for women. Despite societies arrogance in sexism, some women

continue being dependent over men. Women are given the choice and no longer having to be

obedient to their spouse, and instead are now heard and seen as strong. The difference between

now and before is that women are no longer afraid to voice their opinion. An independent

woman is someone who relies on herself and rescues herself from any obstacles given. A female

becomes stronger and successful from any mistakes made. Assumptions are made every day

about a woman and they experience hardships at any given moment, but they can overthrow any

expected notions.
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Works Cited

"Beyonc (Ft. The Weeknd) 6 INCH." Genius. 23 Apr. 2016. 25 Apr. 2017.

Blackstone, Amy. "Gender Roles and Society." Web. 18 Apr. 2017.

"Chivalry vs. Sexism | Womens Logic." Autumn Bench. 28 June 2014. Web. 19 Apr. 2017.

"Flawless (feat. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie) - Beyonc." Google Play Music. Google, 25 Apr.

2017.

Government of Canada, Department of Justice, Electronic Communications. Report on the

Practice of Forced Marriage in Canada: Interviews with Frontline Workers Exploratory

Research Conducted in Montreal and Toronto in 2008. Government of Canada,

Department of Justice, Electronic Communications. 20 Dec. 2016. Web. 11 May 2017.

Independent Women. Life in the USA: The Complete Guide for Immigrants and Americans, 19

Apr. 2017. PDF.

Judith O'Brien. Mary Jane (Character). Comic Vine. Web. 11 May 2017.

Miller, Monica K. Jessica Rauch, Tatyana Kaplan, and Monica Miller. "Gender Differences in

Movie Superheroes' Roles, Appearances, and Violence." Ada: A Journal of Gender, New

Media, and Technology. 13 Nov. 2016. Web. 19 Apr. 2017.

"Pay Equity & Discrimination." Institute for Women's Policy Research. 25 Apr. 2017.

"Read: A Womans Role in the 1950S - University of." Siloo.com. Web. 12 Apr. 2017.

Underhill, Allison. "9 Female Movie Stereotypes We Should Kick to The Curb." The Lala, 12

July 2016. Web. 19 Apr. 2017.

"Who Pays on a Date | Should the Guy Always Pay?" The Art of Charm. 24 Oct. 2014. 25 Apr.

2017.