Feminism Written Assessment
Feminism Written Assessment Feminism has been around for a very long time and continues to occur today. By definition feminism is “the advocacy of women’s rights on the grounds of political, social, and economic equality to men” (Oxford Dictionaries). Through feminism men have set a certain standard for what women should look like. Women also receive the message of this so called standard through a doll that was created by a man. The Barbie doll was created with impossible assets. Between her height, waist, and bust size, a life sized “Barbie” would fall over. What kind of message is that sending to little girls worldwide? As impossible as the Barbie doll seems the Ken doll is bad too. Ken, who is Barbie’s partner, has no genitals. He also has six pack abs and perfect blonde hair and a smile on his face. Not every man in the world is like that. This doll is creating a standard that men now are expected to live up to.
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Due to the fact that Barbie is so popular and admired, girls will feel insecure as long as they don’t resemble a plastic toy.
Marge Piercy says “She was healthy, tested intelligent, possessed strong arms and back, abundant sexual drive and manual dexterity” (7-9). All of those positive things did not matter because all other people saw was a big nose and thick legs. In this patriarchal society Barbie is a model of what little girls aspire to be. Thus women are stereotyped with these impossible “Barbie” standards. Despite the fact that Barbie stereotypes women in a feminist way, she is possibly creating a new perspective to the traditional gender roles of women. She is an example of a very independent
woman. Although women are extremely stereotyped, men in society are too. In a patriarchal society, men are the heroic bread winners that bring home the bacon. Due to the creation of the “Ken Doll” men have a level of expectations as well. Ken is a very stereotypical idea of what a man should be. Mike says “He was advised to be chivalrous and loyal, exhorted to be polygamous, sweet and old, exercise, charm, smile, and intimidate” (12-14). This is saying that men have to be perfect. Also saying that every man you encounter should look and be like this. That is extremely false simply for the pure fact that not every male on earth resembles the attributes of a Ken doll. As much as we like to say we are moving forward as a society and ridding of these stereotypical gender roles, we really aren’t. Still, in the year 2013 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Shows are still being aired on national television. Come on, who doesn't feel even the slightest bit insecure while watching that. Perfume advertisements continue to use attractive men with no shirts on and rock hard abs and beautiful slim women with attributes similar to Barbie’s with string bikinis on. Society is still placing the stereotypes from Barbie and Ken on men and women of the world.
Due to the fact that Barbie is so popular and admired, girls will feel insecure as long as they don’t resemble a plastic toy.
Marge Piercy says “She was healthy, tested intelligent, possessed strong arms and back, abundant sexual drive and manual dexterity” (7-9). All of those positive things did not matter because all other people saw was a big nose and thick legs. In this patriarchal society Barbie is a model of what little girls aspire to be. Thus women are stereotyped with these impossible “Barbie” standards. Despite the fact that Barbie stereotypes women in a feminist way, she is possibly creating a new perspective to the traditional gender roles of women. She is an example of a very independent
woman. Although women are extremely stereotyped, men in society are too. In a patriarchal society, men are the heroic bread winners that bring home the bacon. Due to the creation of the “Ken Doll” men have a level of expectations as well. Ken is a very stereotypical idea of what a man should be. Mike says “He was advised to be chivalrous and loyal, exhorted to be polygamous, sweet and old, exercise, charm, smile, and intimidate” (12-14). This is saying that men have to be perfect. Also saying that every man you encounter should look and be like this. That is extremely false simply for the pure fact that not every male on earth resembles the attributes of a Ken doll. As much as we like to say we are moving forward as a society and ridding of these stereotypical gender roles, we really aren’t. Still, in the year 2013 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Shows are still being aired on national television. Come on, who doesn't feel even the slightest bit insecure while watching that. Perfume advertisements continue to use attractive men with no shirts on and rock hard abs and beautiful slim women with attributes similar to Barbie’s with string bikinis on. Society is still placing the stereotypes from Barbie and Ken on men and women of the world.