Gender Roles in Jeopardy
Erica Ahern
Eng 102-09
Essay 3
November 4, 2009 Gender Roles in Jeopardy
Traditional gender roles are being threatened in today’s economy, the out-dated stereotype that men are better workers than women is now absurd. Although, the stereotype that women can take care of the household better than men has not changed. For as long as human behavior has been documented there have been strict ideals of the different gender roles in parenting. These hunter and gatherer sub sequential gender responsibilities have fundamentally defined what the correct social position for men and women are, yet recently in some households those traditional gender roles have become reversed. The Movie “Daddy Day Care” is about the plight of a man named Charlie, played by Eddie Murphy, who is laid off at his job when the health division in his company is shut down. Charlie had worked in product development at a large food company, and was the main provider for his family. Charlie’s unfortunate employment situation left his wife with the responsibility as breadwinner of the household. Due to the new financial strain put on his family and no job possibilities on the horizon he and his friend Phil, played by Jeff Garlin, are forced to take their sons out of an exclusive program called The Chapman Academy and become stay at home fathers. Desperate for money, Charlie opens up a day care center, which offers reasonable pricing and flexible hours. Unfortunately for Charlie his business doesn’t exactly take off with the popularity he had expected it too. Charlie thought that with his tremendous competitive rates that he would have an overwhelming starting success. Unfortunately for Charlie and his friend Phil their potential customers were very patronizing about two men taking care of their children, due to this typically being a woman’s occupation. The idea that women are better than men at maintaining a household and carrying out domestic responsibilities is rebutted by
Eng 102-09
Essay 3
November 4, 2009 Gender Roles in Jeopardy
Traditional gender roles are being threatened in today’s economy, the out-dated stereotype that men are better workers than women is now absurd. Although, the stereotype that women can take care of the household better than men has not changed. For as long as human behavior has been documented there have been strict ideals of the different gender roles in parenting. These hunter and gatherer sub sequential gender responsibilities have fundamentally defined what the correct social position for men and women are, yet recently in some households those traditional gender roles have become reversed. The Movie “Daddy Day Care” is about the plight of a man named Charlie, played by Eddie Murphy, who is laid off at his job when the health division in his company is shut down. Charlie had worked in product development at a large food company, and was the main provider for his family. Charlie’s unfortunate employment situation left his wife with the responsibility as breadwinner of the household. Due to the new financial strain put on his family and no job possibilities on the horizon he and his friend Phil, played by Jeff Garlin, are forced to take their sons out of an exclusive program called The Chapman Academy and become stay at home fathers. Desperate for money, Charlie opens up a day care center, which offers reasonable pricing and flexible hours. Unfortunately for Charlie his business doesn’t exactly take off with the popularity he had expected it too. Charlie thought that with his tremendous competitive rates that he would have an overwhelming starting success. Unfortunately for Charlie and his friend Phil their potential customers were very patronizing about two men taking care of their children, due to this typically being a woman’s occupation. The idea that women are better than men at maintaining a household and carrying out domestic responsibilities is rebutted by
Cited: Tyre, Peg. McGinn, Daniel “She Works, He Doesn’t.” The Changing World of Work. Ed. Marjorie Ford. New York: Pearson 2006. 50-58. Potkewitz, Hilary. “Daddy and Me!; Newly jobless fathers discover ups and downs of stay-at-home life.” Crain’s New York Business. (March 16, 2009) Vanderkam, Laura. “What Mom’s Can Learn From Dads; Stay-at home men find more time for leisure, less time for chores and present a healthier picture of domestic life.” USA Today. (June 24, 2008) Ahern