Sociology Observation Of Gender
Sociology of Gender: Observation assignment 1
I decided that the to observe gender socialization by analyzing the birthday cards at Walmart. I looked at the 1-10 year old age group. The girl’s cards were pink and purple, but since the new movie Frozen there has been an addition of some light blue cards. I was shocked to find that there was no glitter or anything shiny on the cards as well. The most used words and phrases were: sweetie, princess, cuddly, little, and perfect. Once again the Frozen cards threw me for a loop; the words BRAVE, STRONG, and INDEPENDENT were on the front. Most of the girl cards had a princess or animal on the front. The boy’s cards of the same age group were socially typical. The colors consisted of darker colors …show more content…
Boys receive a message to be strong and someone a woman can depend. The cards help boys understand what masculinity is and what women expect from him. The cards are a subconscious, maybe even conscious, reminder of who he is supposed to be through out his life course. Parents, teachers, and family members are who socialize and cards are just another passive way to remind him that he is a boy and he needs to “be a man.” I think, from this observation, I have learned that socialization of gender is not just orally by family but also passively by strangers. Parents don't write the card themselves but they buy it from a company that says “this is how a boy should behave”. Cards may seem more personal than a gift but, honestly, it is just another way for society to tell you who you are. Girls are still socialized through the same channels like boys but do not have as much pressure to “be a woman”. The cards for adult women where, in fact, still childish. There weren't any cartoons or princesses but girls are expected to be a “princess” for the rest of their lives. Girls aren't allowed to grow up and “be a woman”. Its like the saying “daddy’s girl” even adult women are still called a daddy’s girl. In conclusion, the polar characteristics between boys and girls is just not the way they behave (i.e. aggressive vs. passive) but also through the rate at which society expects
I decided that the to observe gender socialization by analyzing the birthday cards at Walmart. I looked at the 1-10 year old age group. The girl’s cards were pink and purple, but since the new movie Frozen there has been an addition of some light blue cards. I was shocked to find that there was no glitter or anything shiny on the cards as well. The most used words and phrases were: sweetie, princess, cuddly, little, and perfect. Once again the Frozen cards threw me for a loop; the words BRAVE, STRONG, and INDEPENDENT were on the front. Most of the girl cards had a princess or animal on the front. The boy’s cards of the same age group were socially typical. The colors consisted of darker colors …show more content…
Boys receive a message to be strong and someone a woman can depend. The cards help boys understand what masculinity is and what women expect from him. The cards are a subconscious, maybe even conscious, reminder of who he is supposed to be through out his life course. Parents, teachers, and family members are who socialize and cards are just another passive way to remind him that he is a boy and he needs to “be a man.” I think, from this observation, I have learned that socialization of gender is not just orally by family but also passively by strangers. Parents don't write the card themselves but they buy it from a company that says “this is how a boy should behave”. Cards may seem more personal than a gift but, honestly, it is just another way for society to tell you who you are. Girls are still socialized through the same channels like boys but do not have as much pressure to “be a woman”. The cards for adult women where, in fact, still childish. There weren't any cartoons or princesses but girls are expected to be a “princess” for the rest of their lives. Girls aren't allowed to grow up and “be a woman”. Its like the saying “daddy’s girl” even adult women are still called a daddy’s girl. In conclusion, the polar characteristics between boys and girls is just not the way they behave (i.e. aggressive vs. passive) but also through the rate at which society expects