Parks And Recreation Stereotypes

545 Words2 Pages

Media, even today, portrays many degrading stereotypes of women, and throughout the years I would simply watch any television show without thinking about the underlying messages being taught. Over the past few years the show Parks and Recreation has especially caught my attention. Being more media literate, I now see Parks and Recreation has a strong connection in my mind because I can positively identify as a woman through watching the show. The series conveys women being people rather than objects, and women achieving goals, which positively inspires my identity as a woman.
For instance, Parks and Recreation empowers me as a woman, and makes me feel as I do not have to fit the harsh objectified standards pushed upon women. For example, the show passes the Bechdel test with …show more content…

Women throughout the show play roles that share power with their male counterparts, which helps me feel equal to men. In the show Leslie runs for office and wins demonstrating that I, a woman, can achieve my goals if I work hard enough towards them. Not only does Leslie have power, but she has achieved this power by being herself and having a good work ethic. Often women in power in media are portrayed as sexualized or mean and intimidating. Leslie does not fit either of these stereotypes; instead, she plays a charismatic, caring, and outgoing woman. Personally, I connect with this character in media because I believe in hard work and staying true to yourself. Leslie ultimately sets a positive example for how I as a woman can achieve any personal goals by simply working hard and being myself. Leslie inspires me, which supports Cultivation Theory. Through watching the show numerous times, I have developed a PSR with the Leslie Knope character, meaning she did not become a friend, but developed as more than just an acquaintance in my mind since she had the power to positively inspire

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