Parks And Recreation Stereotypes

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

flying colors, which exemplifies how women are portrayed as people not objects who revolve around men. The main character, Leslie Knope, a successful woman in government, has various effective interactions with other females, which demonstrates that women do have thoughts that do not pertain to men. Plus, the male is gaze is never demonstrated throughout the series, which enhances women as being complex and not just objects. Also, Leslie inspires me to feel comfortable in my own body. She breaks the intertextuality of high beauty standards by being a true person rather than being an inch thin and having a ton of cosmetic surgery. Leslie conveys that I do not have to fit high beauty standards to be successful and loved.
Comparatively, Parks and Recreation empowers me through portraying women achieving goals and holding power.

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

me.
Ultimately, Parks and Recreation assists me in positively identifying as a woman. Leslie Knope is a strong character who embraces feminism, exhibiting that I should feel equal as a woman, and to not fall into society’s harsh stereotypes. This outgoing, caring character teaches me that I am not an object and that I, a woman, can achieve any goal with hard work. Out of all the shows I have watched, I am glad this one has grabbed my attention because Parks and Recreation helps me positively identify as a woman.