Social Construction Of Gender Roles In Society

When we think of gender construct in society we often associate characteristics such as strength and courage to males and fragility to women. Characteristics defined to be strictly that of male or female are often very far from accurate. Gender performativity is the idea that gender differences are socially constructed and are learned through observation. The gender construct we see in society today has been reinforced over time by the media as well as the strong beliefs of most individuals in society. The idea of gender performativity also states that gender roles are solidified through performing these roles and is not predetermined. People who live outside of social norms are often ridiculed and tortured verbally, if not physically. This
harsh reaction to people who are different from what you were raised to believe is a form of reinforcing social norms. No one wants to be ridiculed, so these people outside of the social norm tend to change who they are to the viewing public to protect themselves.
Keeping emotions bottled up can be a health hazard and may even lead to death. According to Gustafson (2014), health risks increase when people have no way of expressing themselves. Out of fear of being attacked, people who don’t fit into traditional gender construct choose to hide emotions, which is more harmful than it may appear. The only way to break down these social norms, which do more harm than good, is to have healthy dialogue and exposure. An ideal approach to increasing the amount of dialogue about gender roles in society is through films. Films are a perfect way to raise awareness and get people talking about a sensitive subject. One film that does well in pushing against traditional gender construct is Elle (Paul Verhoeven, 2016). There are several examples in the film of gender construct in society being challenged, one being the relationship between Vincent and
Josie. Vincent and Josie has a nontraditional relationship and their stability is questioned throughout the film. The first scene where the viewer sees the two interact is during the apartment hunt. When considering how Vincent responds to Josie, he seems almost submissive; possibly because he wants to avoid any conflict with her. Vincent is taking orders from Josie without a second thought. For example, when Josie told Vincent to hold the measuring tape, which she releases fully extended once she was finished, he quickly complies. Michele asks him if he was ok after the measuring tape hit him, and Josie answered no in his place. Vincent didn’t say anything though he was holding his hand. When relationships are viewed in media, generally the male is given full authority over his spouse. The female in the relationship is often depicted as submissive, or willing to do whatever she is told. This is far from a healthy relationship, but through generations of reinforcement the male is now seen as the head of the household and his word absolute. Elle goes a long way to fight that social norm, specifically by changing the gender roles in Vincent and Josie relationship. In the same scene, Josie takes on the role of decision maker. Vincent previously talks to his mother about the arrangements for her to pay for their first few months’ rent on an apartment. But the apartment they agreed on wasn’t the one they were currently viewing. Josie tells her that the apartment they agreed on was too small and couldn’t fit a TV that apparently, Josie told Vincent to have his mother buy them. Vincent didn’t discuss this with Michele and proceeds to ask after Josie says something. Throughout the movie, Josie is controlling and wishes everything to go her way and in most cases, Vincent concurs. Josie takes a dominant position in her relationship; a position where most members of society would not find appropriate.
Another example from the film where Vincent doesn’t follow traditional gender roles is the scene in Michele’s house after Vincent takes the baby from Josie.
After following Vincent to Michele’s house, Josie storms in the house and up the stairs to take her baby back. She is met on the stairs by Vincent who grabs her to stop her from taking the baby. When he grabs her Josie immediately tells him to let her go, which he eventually does, but soon after Vincent practically breaks down on the stairs. Generally, when watching men play their roles in films a moment such as this is not shown. Showing weakness and strong feelings are not socially acceptable. Men are depicted as being strong even in the worse of circumstances.
A third example of Vincent and Josie’s nonconformity to gender roles is the scene where family and close friends were going to dump the ashes of Irene, Michele’s mother. While walking to the site, Josie asks Vincent for the baby’s pacifier. However, Vincent could not find it immediately and Josie proceeds to yell at him, saying he forgot it. Shortly after Josie finished insulting Vincent and storming off, Vincent finds the pacifier. Throughout the interaction, Vincent is quietly telling Josie to stop making a scene. Vincent is unable to assert his authority and Josie is the dominant figure to
viewers.
One of the last scenes in the films shows Michele, Vincent, and Josie going inside Michele’s house after Vincent and Josie just bought a new car. After talking shortly, the three of them open the gate to go into the house but is interrupted by Josie’s baby’s voice. Josie nearly forgets the baby in the car and quickly turns around to get him. This short scene alone pushes against the gender construct of a mother being on top of everything when it comes to their child. Incompetence is rarely seen when it comes to a mother caring for her child.
Traditional gender construct in society is built over time by the media and strong beliefs reinforced by generations of observation. The current social norms surrounding gender roles can be dangerous and cause more harm than stability. The best way to get past these harmful gender constructs is to have dialogues concerning them. While there are several films that exist to push for reformation of these social norms, one ideal film to create conversation is Elle. Individuals are more willing to go see a film than a lecture on a topic. Therefore, films continue proving to be perfect platforms to voice opinions on sensitive subjects.