Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Societal Pressure
The video we watched in class today, Tough Guise, was focused on how the media and society stresses the importance of "being a man". Men and boys are taught to think that they have to be muscular, intimidating, insensitive, and tough. The social pressure and the peer pressure to fit this particular stereotype leads boys or men to commit over 90 percent of the total violent crimes committed, including school shootings. I can see how the media does create this "tough" image boys are supposed to conform to, but girls are feeling the same pressure to be thin or pretty or stylish. Maybe this pressure is not as severe as the pressure on the boys because it has not lead any girl to shoot her classmates but girls also feel the consequences. More girls are anorexic than boys, and 20 percent of girls with long term anorexia starve themselves to death, trying to fit society's unrealistic image for them. They kill themselves from the inside out, instead of killing classmates. The number of girls that die from anorexia or bulimia yearly is probably higher than the number of kids that die in school shootings. Any girl or boy can fall victim to the pressures of society, but the right parenting and education can instill confidence in kids so they are not affected so much by the pressures. If a boy or girl believes that he or she is strong, independent and capable, they are not going to be looking for approval from society as much as someone with low self esteem, which means they are not going to feel they have to be who society wants them to be. Parents have to teach their kids confidence and the ability to understand the messages society is sending them are unrealistic and irrelevant. poopie.
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3 comments:
This is the second time I have watched tough guise, and seeing it this time, it’s completely different. I don’t remember what class I watched it in the first time, but I seem to remember it being different. The message is the same, but it seems like the impact on me has changed. I think the first time i watched it was sophomore year, or maybe even junior, but I am watching it with a new mind set. Before In my mind, I was set in my ways and nothing could change that. Although, over this past summer and school year a lot has happened, in many different areas. And as much as I don’t want to admit it, I see parts of myself in that tough guy persona he was describing. But the truth is, I really don’t see myself is a tough guy, but I also don’t see myself as overly emotional. I think I’m kind of in the middle. i guess people could see me as somewhat of a jock, because I play sports all day every day. Mostly soccer, But in actuality, I am not so much of a jock at all. I don’t watch sports, and go crazy over the super bowl. I like to draw and chill more then I like to sit in front of the game with a bowl of chips and my guy friends. I’m not trying to stereotype jocks in that way, but that’s how someone stereotyped me. Tough Guise in my opinion is a great movie to watch, it’s a little boring at points, but the message it is promoting is a extremely positive and need one.
I also watched Tough Guise in 10th grade excel and this time i saw things diffrently, almost like it was a diffrent movie. I think its sad that the media puts the pressure on men to look and act the way that they do. I'll admit that i am attracted to the men who are tougher, but i think that is something the media has created for women. I also agree that women also have to look perfect, meaning being skinny and having the perfect breasts and body. Just like men need to be all muscle and brain. The message that is being sent out to people is very unrealistic and i wish that there was a way to change how people see eachother but it would almost be impossible to erase what we have already created.
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