Friends: The One With The List
Growing up, my favorite show was Friends. The show was special because it came out at a time when television was redefining family as not just mom, dad, brother, and sister, but as the people closest to you. however, the male and female dynamic showed us the numerous differences that exist, or that America perceives exist, between men and women.
The girls went through their own problems, as did the guys, but more importantly, America saw the other side’s perspective. In this classic example, Ross and Rachel have just kissed for the first time. This was a huge climactic moment in the plotline and the guys act very differently than the girls do. Because of this, we can see that media represent women and men differently.
Over the years, these images have changed to continue to mirror the ways in which society has looked at gender. According to the reading, “men used to know their place, as provider for their family… but today… this provider role becomes diminished” (7).
According to our idea of masculinity, men should not be into details. They should not care too much about what kind of kiss it is or how it felt. They are only interested in the main points. However, the women are portrayed as very into every little detail of the night.
This change shows a shift in the roles of men and women as well as the desired traits they should have. From media texts, like this and many others, Americans get a sense of their personal identity in relation to gender. Accurate or not, these images get built up all around us through all sorts of media avenues. They shape and mold our views of society in some way or another. Be we resistant to them or signing up for them, we take a stand on them and this helps to create who we are.
No comments:
Post a Comment