The Impact Of Social Inequality In Society

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Social inequality is something that has been alive and well in for decades now. And it can be agreed upon that the media plays a huge role in that, especially when it comes to promoting gender roles and a set sexuality. But could it be that we are starting to see TV shows, movies and even video games challenge that notion? I will break down many shows, movies, and video games that have challenged how women and men are told to think, dress and act in comparison to those who do not. There are two sociological perspectives, the Symbolic Interactions perspective, which “emphasizes that human behavior is influenced by definitions and meanings that are created and maintained through symbolic interaction with others [and media],” (Mooney, Knox & Schacht, …show more content…

It started in 1998, when they released Mulan: a Chinese woman who disguised herself as a man to serve in the war in place of her father. This very much challenged the gender roles that the old Disney has conveyed, which was the typical princess/damsel in distress who needs a man to rescue her. But with Mulan, she cuts her hair, walks and talks like a man, and even performs the same physical activities as the other soldiers. But she still was able to show a feminine side and occasionally was shown in a dress and still had her happy ending and saved all of China, without a man doing it for her. More recently, in 2012, the movie Brave, was released and also defied gender norms and roles with Princess Merida refuses to choose a husband to marry and decides to take her own hand and rule the kingdom when it is her time. It also showed constant conflicts with her mother and how she tries to make her more “lady-like,” so she can be seen as a fit queen. Also in 2013, Disney released their movie Frozen: where two sisters, Queen Elsa and Princess Anna, defeat an evil prince without a male figure doing it for them, nor were they rescued by a prince. Looking through the feminist perspective you can see how this is a win on their side because it 's denoting that damsel in distress, dependent role; along with subtly showing young girls that they do not need to be that dependent, girly princess, or in the real world, that dependent, dainty, stay-at-home, gal in

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