Media has had a profound effect on
our minds and the society that we are currently living in. The dominant
discourse has really influenced our ideas, behaviors and perceptions that males
are to be the only hardworking people. I will have to disagree on that.
Women too are hardworking but media has embedded into our minds that they're
only stay at home mothers and take care of the children. That's the stereotype
we believe in when we think about females. We can't blame society for thinking
that males are the only hardworking people. We are constantly bombarded with
all sorts of media text that we consume that implies that males are hardworking
and females aren't.
If you were to deconstruct the
video with the attached link, you will see the message they are trying to send.
Firstly, let’s take a look at what
the ad is trying to implement to its viewers. The producer of the video is
telling its viewers that hardworking men deserve a big meal because they work
hard. Let’s look at this differently, so the producer is sending a message
regarding that only males should eat this meal offered by this restaurant
because they are hard workers. This tells the viewer that this meal is not for
females because they aren't as hardworking as males.
Secondly, if we look at this from a
neutral-gender lens we will see what the producer is trying to say. Similarly,
he is implying that females are not hardworking. I have to totally disagree on
that point. Maybe this director has his own beliefs and value messages in the
ad but it doesn't give him the ability to forget that females are hardworking.
There are female firefighters, cops, doctors, pilots and other professionals in
the society we live in today. The implicit message being sent is that females
are weak and they aren't hardworking.
Lastly, media has embedded into our minds
and has reshaped us on how hardworking females are. They have labeled the
female community as "weak" and "lazy". This video has a
special interest. The ad is insisting that males are the majority of people
that are hardworking and therefore they can make a healthy profit if this
audience accepts their ads message. They are trying to exclude the female
community because they believe that there are more hardworking men then
females. I believe that this ad misrepresents men. Hardworking men are not just
firefighters, policemen and construction workers but they can be hardworking
teachers, doctors, investment bankers and so on. We can't just stop here from
deconstructing the ad even further. I believe that the female community will
view this ad as misrepresenting and omitting them. This media text indicates
that females are not hardworking individuals. It paints an image of females as
weak and lazy people.The feminist that exist in this world will disagree with
this medium. Likewise, the male community will strongly agree with the ad
because they believe that they're the backbone of this nation. It's safe to say
that the stereotype of men being the hardworking people is truly false and
invalid. Yes, there are hardworking men but we can't forget that there are
hardworking females as well. For example, look at Hillary Clinton who is a
hardworking female who is the United States Secretary of State. She is a hardworking individual who
advocated numerous times for the State Children's Health Insurance Program,
Adoption and Safe Families Act and the Foster Care Independence Act. This also
brings up the question that you don't have to be a firefighter nor policemen/women
to be considered a hardworking individual. Hardworking people come with all
different types of jobs. Society shouldn't have the ability to label and
stereotype which gender is hardworking and which isn't. Another example of
hardworking women is our very own, Kathleen Wynne who is the Premier of
Ontario. She too is a hardworking woman
who has successfully proven that the stereotype of males being the only
hardworking people is truly wrong. We can't let the male dominant world
forget about the hardworking
females like Mother Teresa, Oprah Winfrey, Malala Yousafzai, Eva
Peron, Helen Keller and many more who have contributed to this world we live
in. All of these hardworking women have done so much for the
female community and the world, which in fact will be really disrespectful to let
all sorts of media that we consume affect the way we look at females. The
male stereotype of them being the backbone and hardworking people is wrong. We
live in a society that is built upon by both genders, male and female.
forget about the hardworking
 |
| Hillary Clinton |
Discussion questions:
Do you think that this ad purposely excluded females?
Do you think dominant discourse has gone to far?
If you're a female would you disagree with this video? Why or why not?
If you're a male would you approve that females are not hardworking? Why or why not?
Do you think that females are capable of doing the same intense work as males?
Should we blame society for this wrongful stereotyping of men being the only the hardworking people?
Nice article, Mr. Dina. You have covered all grounds on stereotypes of woman comparing to men in today's dominant discourse which is currently present in today's sexist society. I will address the fourth question by saying that women are almost at the same level in population as men in this world, and many of them are performing most difficult and crucial roles in changing the world as a better place to live. As a male, i wouldn't approve that females are not hardworking because we have had and still have a number examples for that reason. We had and still have females who changed this world for good for example; Mother Teresa, Malala Yousafzai, Oprah Winfrey, Eva Peron, Helen Keller and many more. Despite the male dominance of today, women still come out be good parents, mothers, sisters, wives, daughters and successful individuals. Women have made this world a much better place with and without the help of men. Many times, it has been the case that men are successful because of women's help and assistance. After all, behind every successful man is a woman.
ReplyDeleteYes I totally agree with you on that Mr. Alvi dominant discourse and the male dominant world we live in has truly and sadly forgotten about how hardworking females are. Whether it being a nurse or your own mother, they have put the same effort into accomplishing something in life just like any other male. They shouldn't be forgotten as you said "After all, behind every successful man is a woman."
ReplyDeleteRegarding questions three, I completely disagree with this video. The meal presented in the ad was composed of foods which both males and females can enjoy and eat. There is nothing special about that meal that gives a reason to only target a certain group of people and exclude others. Also, this ad gives a very narrow view of who belongs in this "hardworking men" category. In the video, we could only see men who are police officers or construction workers viewed as a hard working men where as, there are men who are doctors, lawyers, and business men who are hard workers as well.
ReplyDeleteGreat comment Kristina. The society that we live in and the media we consume daily have led into stereotyping which people are hardworking. I agree with that hardworking men aren't policemen, firefighters and construction workers only. Females are hardworking too!
DeleteI personally agree with you Endrit since The video in your post is very stereotypical since it shows that only hardworking men being offered a meal. To add on, the 3 men in the advertisement are dressed like police men and construction workers signifying that their jobs are for men. However this could have been switched around to a female police officer and a construction worker instead of men. From this we understand society has a perception that men are more stronger and hardworking than woman. Yet, that's not the case, we see woman are now working the jobs they were not allowed to back in the early 1900's. Many woman are police officers, engineers, doctors, lawyers etc.. Therefore in response to question number 2 I have to say that this dominant discourse has gone to far and could be changed by advertising differently. What I mean by advertising differently is by including both male and females in ads rather than isolating one gender.In my opinion, females are hardworking individuals, some examples are Mother Teresa, Malala Yousafzai, Oprah Winfrey. If we can change the way the media portrays males and females in ads and movies, then there will be less stereotyping towards a certain gender.
ReplyDeleteGreat comment Kulvir. I totally agree with you. Media texts should involve both genders so that no gender should be isolated. Likewise, hardworking female individuals are increasing.
DeleteSorry to say Endrit but I'd have to disagree. I feel like the ad is more sexist towards men rather than females. First off the stereotype of women being stay at home parents, and kitchen cooks are a bit outdated. In most television shows a lot of women are shown as out going and hardworking and attractive, while fathers are portrayed as lazy, unattractive and stupid. The stereotypical problems most women face today, is that they are being sexualized and objectified. Although I'd have to agree, the snowman in the suit does accentuate the words, "hardworking guys" but that plays a role into sexualizing the men in this ad. The "hardworking" guys then proceed to go to some sort of party where the females hired them as strippers or what not, and the "hard work" mentioned in the ad, is more a sexual pun.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you somewhat. Like I understand where you are coming from. Yes, there stereotypes of men being unattractive and stupid but one that really stands out is the "hardworking" stereotype. When you think about a construction worker what gender do you think about?
DeleteInteresting post Endrit, regarding the video, i think females are purposely excluded because most men work during the morning and that this ad is trying convince the "hardworking" men to eat at that restaurant hence, "Jumbo Breakfast Platter". However near the end of the ad, that is where i begin to see the dominant discourse being implied about women, had they excluded that scene it may not have been sexist. I do think that women are capable of intense work, it just takes practice, and "Practice makes perfect" is kind of true.
ReplyDeleteGreat comment Philip. I totally agree with you. I think that the media that we consume daily portrays men as the only hardworking individuals. Also, I believe that you are the only person to notice the women in the end.
DeleteIf I were a male, I would believe females are just as hardworking and can do the same intense work as males do, because whether you're a female or male, it shouldn't be the only determination of whether your hardworking or not. Yes, I do believe we should blame society for stereotyping men as being the only ones hardworking and not women because, of the thick root of sexism towards women in the Western culture continues to go on.
ReplyDelete-Lydia