How the Barbie movie highlights gender stereotypes and the unreasonable expectations of being a woman among male “Kendam”
“You have to be thin, but you can’t be too thin. And you can never say you want to be thin. You have to say you want to be healthy, but you have to be thin…Boss Must be, but not sneaky…
“You should be beautiful to a man, but not too pretty to seduce him… Always stand out, always be grateful… Never get old, never be rude, never be pretentious. Never get depressed, never be selfish, never be corrupt, never fail, never show fear, never step out of line. ”
This powerful monologue is narrated by Gloria, a character from the blockbuster movie. barbie. While the film turned the world pink and became the highest-grossing film of 2023, it was also controversial and sparked important discussions about gender stereotypes.
By flipping the script and portraying tanned, muscular Ken as an accessory to Barbie, the film uses hyperbole to reinforce its pinpoint social commentary about the impossible expectations and double standards of being a woman. uses gender stereotypes.
This work focuses on the lived experiences of women and girls whose opportunities and choices have been limited for centuries in the workplace, at home, and in society due to persistent and persistent inequalities.
Gender disparities are commonly felt in the workplace, with unequal expectations and tasks.
Women take the time to drink coffee and clean up, but men don't. This tightrope walk is a common form of prejudice that women experience on a daily basis.
If you're too assertive, you're labeled a “bitch,” if you work, you're called “bossy,” if you express anger, you're told you're “too emotional,” and if you have children, your commitment to your career is questioned. be seen. Could a man ever be labeled like that?
This subconscious gender bias is so ingrained in our society that men, and many women, accept these gender roles as a normal way of life. Boys wear blue and girls wear pink.
Boys are encouraged to be strong, not cry, and take risks, while girls are expected to be polite, passive, and submissive.
Girls are raised to value attention and not being heard, and are trained to prioritize marriage over other ambitions.
We unconsciously teach them that “you have to be attached to a man,'' so we want marriage more than anything else.
And if I don't get married, I feel like a failure.
As a woman, you are expected to focus on your appearance and dress femininely.
You are considered a caregiver and have household responsibilities such as cooking, cleaning, and taking care of your husband and home.
They also face questions when juggling their responsibilities, an interrogation that is limited to women because men are not asked the same questions.
These rigid gender concepts place women and girls in a subordinate position, making them highly dependent on their partners, families, and communities, especially when it comes to economic resources and decision-making.
This dependence disenfranchises women, making it difficult for them to assert themselves, access resources and opportunities, and take control of their lives and futures, creating a lifelong cycle of inequality.
These oppressive gender roles are not innate, but are created by social norms, religious beliefs, cultural practices, and mass media.
Patriarchy and violent masculinity are so ingrained in our institutions, culture, and traditions that men are seen as superior and accepted.
As young boys, they are encouraged to be strong, show no signs of weakness, and take risks. They are raised to lead and women are subtly guided to follow.
Girls are also made to prioritize marriage as if it were the grand finale, the ultimate accomplishment that would prove their existence. It is ingrained in us that our worth is inherently tied to our ability to secure a husband. And, heaven forbid, if we fail to do so, we will be marked as failures.
Although the laws that blatantly prevented women from accessing equal rights have been repealed, this acceptance of inequality still exists in 'modern' South Africa and around the world.
Our bodies are often under intense surveillance and control.
Our natural menstrual cycles are a topic of shame, but if we choose not to have or not have children, we are deemed inadequate.
What we wear, what we eat, what we say, our professional abilities and what we earn are all being questioned, which are all modern realities as well.
These social norms lead to gender inequality and disenfranchisement and can give rise to violence against women, as women are seen and accepted as less powerful, less valuable, and less important.
Women are not naturally submissive, but this is what gender stereotypes dictate. This uncomfortable historical truth tends to escape thorough scrutiny, but in mainstream cinema, where the gender roles are reversed, it immediately comes under fire.
barbie It goes directly against everything we know about patriarchy. Beneath its candy floss fluff, this film has heavy themes, challenging conventional wisdom and demanding reflection and discussion about gender roles and prejudice.
This two-hour film does not end patriarchy or gender stereotypes, but it does provide an outlet for conversation and inspires us to challenge and change social structures.
Women play an important and overwhelming role in society.
And while we are considered strong enough to endure abuse and hardship at work and at home, we are not strong enough to stand equally on the side of men. It's about demonstrating leadership, making decisions, and demonstrating your full humanity.
we need movies like barbie Because it forces us to question the status quo and look at the role each of us can play in changing the gender norms we pass on to the next generation. Gloria says:It's literally impossible to be a woman.
“You are so beautiful and so smart and I am so sorry that you feel like you are not good enough.
“For example, we are supposed to be exceptional all the time, but somehow we always end up doing the wrong thing.”
barbie is a pink satire about deeply ingrained norms, gender roles, and the objectification of women.
The film is bold and unapologetic, appealing to audiences while highlighting the need for change by showing how impossible it is to be a woman in a male “kingdom.”
*This article was written by Dr. Ntombifikile Mtshali, MD, MBA. He is the CEO of Shout-It-Now, his NPC in South Africa that provides youth-friendly, community-based HIV prevention, sexual and reproductive health and related services. We serve Gauteng and North West provinces. The views expressed by Dr. Ntombifikile Mtshali are not necessarily those of: Sister magazine “The Bullrushes”