Women have been viewed as the weaker vessel compared to their stronger male counterparts since the beginning of time. From ancient mythology to popular modern media, women are easily portrayed as the damsel in distress, unable to take care of herself and constantly in the desperate need of being rescued. Women who stand up against this belief and make effort to support themselves were usually deemed fools, prostitutes, or worse, witches. While there have been mentions of strong-bred women in history such as Margaret of Anjou and Eleanor of Aquitaine, it has not become common theme until more modern times. The archetype of the damsel in distress is still a popular trend in media, but in society, women are now considered equal to men and no longer need to be rescued from circumstances.
Historical records have shown how societal rules have pushed women into the destitute role of the damsel in distress which began with legends such as Branwen in The Four Branches in the Mabinogi (11th Century). Branwen’s story tells of a Briton princess who was married to an Irish prince named Malthowch which infuriates Branwen’s half-brother Efnisien who loved her. Efnisien then committed some crimes which mocked Malthowch, but he easily dismissed them. His marriage with Branwen was peaceful until he allowed his reputation to control him which caused him to order beatings and subject Branwen to a servant life. Three years passed before Branwen, in desperation, taught a starling to send a message to her brother for help. This displays the common theme of damsels who are in a critical situation and send for help to a strong male figure, in Branwen’s case, her brother King Bendigeidfran fab Llŷr. This became a common scenario where a maiden in distress...
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The author explores some stereotypes based on what types of jobs are more women’s type of jobs or more manly jobs. Careers such as carpenters and truck drivers are all almost exclusively male jobs, whereas careers in nursing or secretary work are all almost exclusively a woman’s type of work. Since the 1970’s, women have made head way into male dominated jobs. However, the author states that even though women have made it into male dominated jobs, this is not true for the reverse situation. The woman type jobs are still almost exclusively women’s jobs with men making little entry into them.
However, there were also other gender stereotypes in the show as well. The girl, Dlionay was often shown as the kind of “damsel in distress.” A few times a boy was sent to rescue her. For example, one of her friends was stuck out in the water and instead of getting him herself, she plead to the other boy to please save him. This shows the stereotype that men are stronger and braver than women...
Working women who filed for divorce often say its because their husband’s lack of support. Women in these positions are often forced to work much more then the other side of the couple, as they do most of the work at home. In the beginning when women just started to begin to work, they would accept responsibility that they have to work as a homemaker and at their regular jobs all on their own. But as the jobs available to women become ...
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Feminism in today’s society holds true that women are strong individuals who are capable of achieving their dreams. A significant problem with the Disney Princesses is that even surrounded by the notion that females have the same inherent dignity as men, they continue to be portrayed as passive women with limited aspirations. For example, in Snow White, the character of Snow White is glorified by her ability to sing beautifully and cook for the seven dwarves (Hynes). In Beauty and the Beast, Belle is ignored when she tries to make conversation about a book she is reading, which suggests that a well-read woman is not worthy of attention (Hynes). And, in The Little Mermaid, Ariel sings about all of the wonderful treasures that she possesses, which encourages the valuing of material goods (Hynes). These films give rise to the belief that a woman’s worth is dependent on her ability to maintain a household,...
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Through the use of messages such as public conventions, speeches, literary pieces, published works, unions, groups, and memorabilia, the suffrage movement’s goal of achieving equal voting rights for women to be the same as men can be credited as providing the stomping grounds for women to seek a stronger hand in society and to the evolution of women’s rights to include equal freedoms to men in arenas such as education, the work force, and military involvement.
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There was a time when women typically maintained the home and raised children while the husbands were the sole bread-winners for the family finances. However, times have changed and so have women’s rights and expectations for divorce, education, an...
Women throughout history have been considered to have an active role in the family life as the caretakers, while the men are considered the “breadwinners” of the family. However, a few women still have had to provide for their families throughout the years and as a result have sought employment in industries that “were highly segregated by sex” (Goldin 87). Women employm...
Throughout history, women have been mistreated as the weaker gender. It has been evident throughout the epic of Sunjata, the history of Greek society as well as Indian society. It is evident today with the social classes we have formed that there are predominant gender roles in our society; history as we know tends to repeat itself.
...e, women are the weaker of the two sexes. Women are slaves and spoils of war, if they are valued for sex they are used for sex. The universal portrayal of women causes a reevaluation of modern day gender balances by the reader.
Schlessinger, L. (2007). The proper care & feeding of marriage. New York, NY: Harper Collins Publishers.
The role women play in today’s society is a drastic change from the previous role. Women used to be confined to the superiority of the man. Physically, mentally, and emotionally abused, belittled, embarrassed, and silenced. These are just a few examples of the emotion from the isolated treatment of the past. A woman’s role in today’s society is more valued than ever before.