Espinoza1

Jasmine Espinoza

Professor Lawson

English 113B

Project Text

Argument proposal

5 May 2017

Word count: 800

We Overthrow Many Expected Notions

The world is filled with expectations and assumptions which leads to judgement, but how

we perceive ourselves is up to us. Around the 1900s society was quick on making assumptions

about gender roles. For example, women were expected to marry before her 20s and become a

stay a home housewife, while men were expected to provide for their families and work all day.

As time went by gender roles began to demolish and develop equality. Women began to fight for

their rights and refused to, fulfill certain roles and went against being a diligent homemaker,

and an obedient wife (Roobixcoob). Gender roles were established a certain way before

celebrities promoted independency towards women and gave a whole new expectation and

insight of different gender roles.

Women have dealt with many hardships on been looked upon in a stereotype of way and

not being taken serious. As women strived to be independent they needed a role model to look

up to, someone who has a voice and who the public is listening to. For example, Beyonc is an

independent woman who shares her opinion by her lyrics. She is a recognized artist many people

listen to and praise on, in one of her songs 6-inch the whole song is a representation of how a

woman is supposed to present herself and strive to be. Beyonc grasps her audience attention by
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giving an insight on how to present yourself and allows listeners to hear her message. For

example, in one of Beyonc songs 6-inch the whole song is a representation of how a woman

is supposed to present herself and strive to be. The beat in her song is empowering it is consistent

and emphasizes how women are strong and independent. In one of her lyrics she states she

walks in the club like nobodys business because no matter what job profession you have is

nobody elses concern. What you choose to do and be is up to you because you are providing for

yourself and not relying on any significant other than yourself.

Some people may say women allowed themselves to be vulnerable and had no problem

relying on someone else to do the dirty work. The problem with before is that the media

promoted womens dependency they would, establish female characters as dependent on their

male counterparts (Akiona). Women were only educated on being a housewife and learned to,

[carry] out her man's every order and [agree] with him on everything ( Roobixcoob). Women

were to ask men for help when dealt with any troubles for example, women can only gain peace

and security if a man helps them (Akiona). Women were as strong as society made them out to

while men were viewed superior. At times women may get confused between the difference of

chivalry and sexism. Women are known to play the victim in a situation or dispute they do not

agree with, for instance, females expect males to open the door for them and buy their meals, this

example will be known as chivalry. If a man receives a higher pay than woman in the workforce

its unequal treatment and known as sexism.

-Society views women as problematic and dramatic because women have the tendency to

rehash the past and continue to discuss it, while men do not communicate or emphasize the

gender roles as much as females do. Mens roles did not change as dramatically as womens did,
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it was a norm to have men work and pay for any expenses, while women on the other hand were

given the right to vote, fight for our country, and work. Media has implemented an ideal version

of who we are supposed to be and what we are allowed to do. The difference between now and

before is that we are no longer afraid to voice our opinion. We now have different perspectives

and mindsets of who we plan on becoming and how we accept to be treated.

Men and women are different, we all have different goals, perspectives, and motivations.

Some men do not plan on getting married while others do, some like to work while there are

those who wish they did not. Some women plan on getting married and having two household

incomes while there are those who wish to be a stay a home wife while her husband provides for

both of them. Everyone is different and it is now acceptable to want to have different plans in

life. Independency does not go away when you are married, it goes away when you decide your

voice no longer matters. Becoming independent is now what every women strives to be. Media

has shaped societys expectations and assumptions and we continue to allow it to clog our

judgement in a negative and positive point of view.

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Works Cited

Akiona, Jessica. "Dependent Women and the Male Gaze in Fictional Domestic ..." University of

Hawaii I at Hilo. Web. 3 May 2017.

"Beyonc (Ft. The Weeknd) 6 INCH." Genius. 23 Apr. 2016. 25 Apr. 2017.

RoobixCoob. "A Woman's Role in the 1950s - University of Colorado.". Web. 3 May 2017.

Tresemer, David. "Assumptions Made About Gender Roles." Sociological Inquiry, 45.23

(1975): 308-339.