Feminism: end of essay

To what extent do you agree with Judith Butler's theory that gender roles are socially constructed? Use examples from the media in your response.

Gender roles for decades have been argued to either biologically constructed or socially constructed. In this essay I will be analyzing Judith Butler theory that gender roles are socially constructed through society and their surroundings. This means that their performance and the way they the gender roles act are all the same for males and females .  Some may argue that gender is socially constructed due to how society interprets colors  toys, primary socialization and biologically. However, some may argue that it depends on the persons own performance, this may be affect their feminism and masculinity through the media which could push them even more to become gender socialized. 

On some levels I do agree with the feminist Judith Butler due to the traditional ways of parenting children. From a young age genders of kids are socially divided by the way they dress, which is a major factor of gender roles. Male children are bought clothes which are male colors e.g blue, black, grey etc. Girls are also constructed to wear pink, purple and all these 'girl colors  which is to show/inform that they have a female child which links to the uses and gratification theory of informing the public. This would also be linked to their lifestyle; the decorations in their rooms, the toys they are bought and the places they might be taken to. The decoration in their room would be representing what their genders enjoy and should be watching. For example; a girl would be having a bright pink color to represent the innocence and her cuteness  with a posters of a mermaid and barbie. This would mentally effect her in a long term as this might reflect her personality when she grows up. The posters of the mermaid or barbie, would be showing the girls what type of shows they should be watching, instead of wrestling as this might have an impact on her when she grows up to be a taught and fighting women. The boys would be the opposite as they would be given toys like power rangers; as these are more manly as everyone wants a strong minded man physically and mentally. All these different decision made for the children when their young would in some ways construct the kid to grow up to act like the socially constructed genders of this society. e.g. as the Boys would be buying jeans and t-shirt when they grow up instead of buying very tight jeans which have been socially constructed for women to wear.

Another way gender is socially constructed is the roles and activities males and females are doing. When kids are growing up around the ages of 8-9, the parents would feel that it's time they are shown different things those genders do. For example, males are taken to football matches or to a football team at a young age as this is what they do at these ages. By constructing what sport they play at early age it means that they can enjoy this more and more while they are growing up. This means that they don't go into other activities which are constructed for women e.g. ballet and netball. Females on the other hand some families more which are the traditional families from the eastern countries  They would teach them about the roles of a female at a young age, which is to cook, clean and take care of some of the younger children. By doing this they are socially constructed to learn their roles when they grow up to have children and more or less become a housewife. This method could be argued as now more and more women are leaving these roles behind and are becoming more stronger in the working world. As now the harsh views on women not being not as strong minded and independent has changed for the better of women.

Another way gender roles are constructed is through the Hollywood movie industry which has a huge audience affect on the whole world.  One example is in the film 'Sweet home Alabama' , which is a romantic film. These romantic have always the same Todorov narrative theory; everything is normal and the two characters meet each other, everything is going, something goes wrong, then the man has to get her back. This time in this film it subverts the last part, as it's the female chasing after the man, which finally shows the world it isn't just the mans job to be chasing after the girl like mindless lovers. The film also shows the different things a male should be doing, with a young boy around 5 in love with a girl. He's twice told her what to do, so that she wouldn't get hurt which shows the protectiveness of a male breed already inside this young little boy. He's much taller then the girl which shows the general society now, as you hardly would see a taller girl going out with a shorter man. This overall is showing the stereotypical brave and protective man, with the innocent defend less women which needs a man to survive even at that age maybe.