As our class focuses in on representation between women and men, we viewed Miss Representation and The Mask You Live In. While Miss Representation shows the struggles of women being seen as lesser, not viewed as being able to hold positions of power as opposed to men, The Mask You Live In focuses on typical views of masculinity and differing ways of how men fit into these roles.
While watching Miss Representation, I had felt a sense of respect and empowerment to women who can relate to being seen as lower in power to men, not equal, as they fight to disprove these thoughts. As the movie explains, many women are awaiting their time to take strong positions and be seen as role models, such as becoming president as a woman has not yet held the position. The thought of women being unequal to men can lead to them doubting themselves and distrusting their abilities to lead or be viewed highly. In The Mask You Live In, I had felt sadness for men who were taught to disregard emotions and struggle with self-identity, which can ultimately lead to issues within themselves. I had also felt hope that this would change in the future as more people distance themselves from these views. Men should be able to express their emotions and vulnerability without being shot down as too "feminine" as concealing them will only impact their ability to be open with others. For decades they had to be put in this position and hide from their feelings in order to be perceived as manly or strong. The argument in both films shows that the media, such as movies and shows, influence both views on masculinity and women's roles in life. This helped me realize how much impact these beliefs can have in people. While women are seen as the caretakers, cooking, cleaning, and being a mother, men must be tough and limit their vulnerability as well as hide emotions. Men are also often perceived as the workers for their family while the wife and children are at home. As children, many girls are ridiculed if they do something less feminine while boys are accused of being vulnerable or weak if they do something viewed as feminine. These films impact me by wanting to make a change in the societal norms of men and women. We should not be upholding views from decades ago but looking at it for what it is, negative and threatening. The thoughts on both genders acting out of the norm is becoming more accepted in current years, but there are still so many people who uphold these expectations and a stop should be put to it. If more people are taught the problems of these views and shown the negative impacts of expecting boys to hide their feelings, or being more open to women in power and authority, later generations could become better adapted to change in views of women and men.
3 Comments
Daniel Weaver-Cooke
4/1/2019 03:13:12 pm
I agree that the media takes an important role in how men and women feel they fit into our society.
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Sabatino
4/3/2019 04:42:20 am
I notice this post responds to both films (instead of creating two separate posts for each film). How did this choice impact your meaning-making.
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Kenya McDuffie
5/5/2019 12:47:03 pm
I had felt sadness for men who were taught to disregard emotions and struggle with self-identity, which can ultimately lead to issues within themselves. - Anna Weible
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