Blog Post #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 I see the major sexist role being the role of the mother. She is the character who is expected to juggle children, a career, a marital relationship and all the while still remain to be sexy and put together. This doesn’t really surprise me.  I would definitely say that this is the embodiment of the type of sexist roles that bell hooks despises. Another media example that holds to sexist ideas is the movie ‘Enchanted.’ It doesn’t get anymore sexist than this!

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 commercial is that her mom is super UPTIGHT! You can read her extremely uncomfortable demeanor and posture right from the get go.  Its almost as if she’s afraid to interact  with her own child just because she’s not all dressed up like a girly-girl. There is not a chance that they would make a similar commercial with a boy dressed in more feminine clothing. I think the main reason for this is because the ‘tom boy’ role has been seemingly glorified over the years and is widely accepted as ‘stage’ that girls go through.  Even if the little girls don’t grow out of this stage later, the concept of a tom-boy is still something that is widely accepted into adulthood. However, the concept of a ‘feminine male’ is widely looked down upon both in childhood and later in life.
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 book that embodies sexist notions is the childbook series called ‘Fancy Nancy.’ In these books Nancy, a young girl, has the goal in life to make everything and everyone FANCY which will inevitably improve their quality of life. Books such as these give little girls the idea that they should dress, create, and carry themselves as a little feminine diva. Socialization starts young. These books reek of sexist femininity.  And now you can also buy her other accessories so you can be fancy too!!! Check out the two links below. The first is a reading of one of the book and the second describing some of her merchandise.