Blog #3

Question #1 What type of sexist roles do you see in this clip? Are you surprised by these roles? Would this ever be considered a movie if it was a man (I don’t know how HE does it)? Does this media example embody what bell hooks is trying to prevent? What are other media examples that still hold on to sexist ideas? (hint, hint: This would be a good place to incorporate media into your blog post!)

In this clip one can witness Sarah Jessica Parker’s character as a victim of many sexist roles.  She is seen being a chauffeur for her children, doing household chores, cooking, and being emotionally connected to her children.  I am not surprised that these roles were highlighted because it appears the movie attempting to show how the modern women must not only take on her former sexist roles but also work 40 hours a week.  This example helps keep women down in that it does not promote the sharing of responsibilities between both husband and wife but simply places the burden on the female.  A clip I found which also highlighted sexist roles of women was in the movie Legally Blonde.  In this clip Elle Woods is portrayed as extremely unfit for a lawyer by bringing her dog to class and having a pink, scented resume.

Question #2 What were your initial reactions to the commercial? Why is it not okay that her daughter is not in pink? Do you think they would ever make a similar commercial with a boy in more feminine clothing? Why?

My initial reaction to the clip was shock that this commercial was ever made.  I don;t think it was necessary to state “we tried the whole pink thing” because I believe instead society should be promoting self-expression and self-identity.  Through comparison of the girls camouflaged clothing to more “girlie” selections one is reinforcing the sexist roles in society.  I do not think I would ever see a commercial similar to this with a boy because that would be considered a taboo for many in our society.  If a boy dresses like a girl that is considered homosexual activity while if a girl dresses more unfeminine it is considered more acceptable.

Question #3 Name a children’s book that embodies the sexist notions that bell books discusses in this chapter. Why do you think the book has these sexist ideas? What future consequences do you think that these books have?

A children’s book I remember my younger brother took a liking to was No, David!.  This book highlights a young boy name David who is always getting into sticky situations where his mother is found saying “no, David!” to him.  This book tends to embody sexist notions because it has a very narrow perception of what are considered feminine and masculine activities.  David’s mother is depicted cleaning around the house or doing various chores while her son is being mischevious.  David is seen doing very “masculine” activities in the series of texts.  These include tracking mud in the house after playing outdoors or eating something his mother baked before told to.  David is seen as powerful and masculine in the text while his mother is constricted to feminine sexist notions in terms of gender roles.