Different For Girls: Gender Stereotypes

Different for Girls
To correctly define the term society, one must consider the significance of various influences that compromise the complexity of the phrase. On a larger scale- traditions, surrounding medias, stereotypes, language, and a conflict in upbringing, account for the differences found. However, there are some disheartening similarities- the depersonalization and aggressive sexualization of women. From a young age, women are told they have to behave “correctly”, dress “appropriately”, and perform tasks around the house that men say are- cooking, cleaning, and caring for children. Women lose themselves because of the importance put on appearances and societal expectation of expression through femininity.
The thought of success through beauty is ingrained within in the brain from when one is a child. Gender stereotyping begins at a young age- being clothed in pink, frilly dresses, changing her vocabulary, and learning to accept the incredibly uncomfortable situation of being catcalled by complete strangers on the street- a “lady” is expected to take such attacks and

receive them as “compliments”. One cannot deny the truth that women are judged upon the entirety of their lives. In Marge Piercy’s poem Barbie Doll, Piercy writes, “Then in the magic of puberty, a classmate said:/You have a great big nose and fat legs./She was healthy, tested intelligent,/possessed strong arms and back,/abundant sexual drive and manual dexterity.” (5-9) Aside from the evident emotional abuse the character was subjected to by her fellow peers, there is clear evidence to suggest inescapable sexualization of the young child. Having only hit puberty, and already taking into account the “[abundance] of her sexual drive” and her “manual dexterity” being questioned is an unhealthy way of growing up. Already, one can note of the depersonalization the female undergoes as a child.
Furthermore, women are dictated on how to act and are taught that they need to be accepted by society. Piercy states, “She was advised to play coy/exhorted to come on hearty,/exercise, diet, smile and wheedle.” (12-14). Women are deprived of the power of sensation- directed to smile regardless if they are hurting, listening to negative comments on their physical appearance, and to perfect how people view her to fit in with society. The author uses a powerful simile to describe how the girl’s “good nature wore out/like a fan belt.”(15-16), describing the sadness she undergoes as the result of the burden placed upon her by society.
Nobody denies that from the day a baby girl is born, she is told what she needs to do and actions she has to partake in fulfill her roll as a woman.

Within the poem Barbie Doll, Piercy states that a “girlchild was born as usual” and was “presented dolls that did pee-pee/and miniature GE stoves and irons” (2-3), effectively denying women the right to maintain any sense of individualism and personality. These are symbols of feminism that the family wants the child to grow up into. To this day, society successfully manages to implant gender stereotypes as to where a woman “belongs”, and her “proper” place in society. Piercy uses imagery to help paint a picture of how girls are taught that they need to cook and iron because it is the role of a woman and that men cannot do these things. To turn a blind eye to such a fundamental key clearly supports the notion that ignorance is truly a

choice.
The boundless happiness and self-love a woman must embrace is compromised and worn down by the painful judgements of society. From the day a baby girl is born, she is put under a magnifying glass of constant observations and desire for validation. Sexism, inequality in the workforce, and unobtainable beauty standards are all some of the daily realities of a working woman. The powers of society could force one to question her self-worth or even hurt herself. Everything around us is society. This is something all of the worlds population is influenced by and all of us contribute to the negative, as well as positive aspects of it.