Introduction
Perhaps, humans’ inbuilt capacity to symbolize is related to the fact that text, music, images, and related symbols permeate almost all human activities. This inhabitation of symbols in human spheres has resulted in the ubiquity of content and the development of the ability to examine it. Gender content analysis systematically examines the roles of both men and women as portrayed in various art forms. In the past, women were limited to playing housewife roles while most careers were a preserve of men. Most drama series and Nick Toon have been at the forefront in portraying various aspects of traditional and non-traditional patterns of behavior among men and women. This paper discusses the gendered messages revealed after fifteen minutes of watching the Rug Rats, How to Get Away with Murder, and the Olympics Games and examines the extent to which traditional or modern patterns of conduct are portrayed for men and women.
The Extent to which Men and Women Play Traditional Gender Roles
After watching the Rug Rats, I have discovered that Nick Toon gave much strength to the traditional gender roles. The female gender appears to have fewer dominant roles than men. For example, when Angelica takes all the babies under her boot, it indicates that it is a woman’s responsibility to take care of the child (Kerkhoven et al., 2016). On the other hand, non-traditional ways of conduct are shown through Angelica, who dominates all the others in the group. Angelica’s taking of the babies from Timmy demonstrates her taking control of the situation, which is a non-traditional female behavior pattern. The non-traditional ways of the male fashion of conduct are demonstrated by Timmy, who allows Angelica to have authority over him. Fifteen minutes of watching the How to Get Away with Murder drama series reveals that women are subjected to housewife roles. At the same time, men possess the power and authority to do whatever they want. In the past, men had luxurious professions while women could only work as nurses or secretaries.
The more Powerful Man and Woman
Fifteen minutes of viewing the Rug Rats, College Basketball, and How to Get Away with Murder reveals that men are depicted to be more powerful than women. In considering How to Get Away with Murder drama series, women are depicted to possess low ranked professions while men have high ranked careers (Kerkhoven et al., 2016). The issue of man is intensely expressed across sports, drama series, and children’s cartoons. In the Rug Rats, Timmy, a male character, uses his male chauvinism to exploit his peers’ power. However, in sports, women tend to be given a selection of softer games than their male counterparts.
The One More likely to Rescue
I watched the Rug Rats for fifteen minutes and determined that the women are the most likely to rescue. The women have shown dominance over the males in their groups. For example, when Angelica takes the babies to her boot, it is evident that she cares. In the How to Get Away with Murder drama series, the woman is depicted as the most likely to help (Kerkhoven et al., 2016). In the case of Analisa, she tries all she can to rescue Dwight Halpern from his fraud charges. After watching the Olympic Games for fifteen minutes, men appear to be considered better suited to the physically demanding nature of the sport; hence, men are depicted as more likely to rescue. Moreover, women are despised for participating in the Olympics, a majorly masculine event.
A Case of Contradiction to the Larger Pattern
In the How to Get Away with Murder TV series, Viola Davis shows non-traditional women’s superiority through her outstanding acting skills, which demonstrate power and authority. Fifteen minutes of watching the Olympic Games sports event shows that women traditionally tend to support soft games and short races while men participate in long-distance races and challenging games. However, several women are shown to participate in long-distance races and other physically strenuous games, including Olympic weightlifting. This trend contradicts the traditional norms, where most of these games were generally reserved for men.
The Message Conveyed to both Genders
After viewing the Rug Rats, Olympic Games, and How to Get Away with Murder, I have found out that they all advocate for responsibility by both genders in handling situations. Both men and women have been shown the importance of doing their roles. The shows, however, advocate for unlimited roles where men and women are challenged to look a step further outside their everyday responsibilities by trying those of the other gender.
Impact on the 12-Year-Old Self-Esteem
As a twelve-year-old teen, watching this content would significantly boost my self-esteem. I would start viewing the woman I am about to become as superior and more engaging than the traditionally timid pattern of behavior that society expects of women. The way women are despised in Get Away with Murder gives me the hunger to continue fighting for my position in society. I would also fight for women’s recognition and equality in the professional field.
Conclusion
Art plays a significant role in expressing the traditional and non-traditional roles of men and women in society. After watching the Rug Rats, How to Get Away with Murder, and the Olympics, I have determined that gender roles have been expressed in every concept. For example, in the Olympic Games, men are seen as superior to women. Women are restricted from participating in long-distance races and other more physically strenuous sporting activities. In the How to Get Away with Murder drama series, women are only allowed to have less-ranked careers such as secretarial positions while men hold the top-ranked professions. In Rug Rats, both men and women are seen to take gender roles. Angelica wants to take care of the babies because she is a woman, and Timmy also uses his chauvinism to demonstrate power and authority over his peers. Men and women should be allowed to express their opinions and feelings without being limited by gender.
Reference
Kerkhoven, A. H., Russo, P., Land-Zandstra, A. M., Saxena, A., & Rodenburg, F. J. (2016). Gender stereotypes in science education resources: A visual content analysis. PloS One, 11(11), e0165037. Web.