Discussion #7

Every person regardless of their gender, age, backgrounds, and culture seek validation at the workplace, but when faced with different obstacles that make it harder to get promoted, to get noticed by the bosses to ask for a raise, one feels discouraged and unable to move forward.

I will be examining the following the stereotyping against women and blonde based on the following movie released in 2001, and social reinforcement of these ideas.

a-The sexual harassment of ”Elle” in the workplace because she is a blonde female. Sexism and harassment in the workplace is an issue I see omi-present every day.

The assumption has men have more power, more knowledge, and always have a higher position is seen as a normal thing because that’s the way it supposes to be and that’s what the social norms are. When men hold the power they are allowed to harass women and pressure them to accept flirting, unwanted advances, and or gifts.

Women have to work even harder to obtain a promotion or a raise. I even was told once: Why do you need a raise, don’t you have a husband who takes care of your family? I’m certain that a man will never be asked the same question just because he is a man.

b-Workplace inequality toward women and the assumption that women are incapable of being a leader. Sex and gender identity reflect a lot of complex issues within our society. Just because your sex and physiology show masculine body parts like penis, hairy legs and arms, deep voice tone doesn’t necessary means that the gender has to reflect the same, and on the other hand, having a reproductive female system, short body and soft voice can’t mean that one is a woman. A person’s sex, as determined by his or her biology, does not always correspond with his or her gender, but is more related to how one feels comfortable in their body, and that this men or woman’s body part represents who they are as an individual and an active member of the society. This can have a positive or a negative impact on the job, for example, men have more chances to ask for a raise and to get promoted in the workplace while women have to work much harder to get noticed.

c-Stereotype bias where women are described as caring, sensitive, weak while men are strong and hold the power. These descriptions can portray an unfit between the personality a woman is supposed to have and has.

d- Cultural capital by comparing the character played by Reese Witherspoon” Elle Woods” and the character played by Selma Blair ”Vivian Kensington”.

Culture capital and backgrounds can also have a huge impact on one’s perception of men or a woman and their gender roles within society and at the workplace. Education, intellect, style of speech, dress, or physical appearance can influence the gender ‘s image and its reflection of society. ”Elle” character was always wearing pink dresses, hair bows, she has a small dog. Her upcoming from a wealthy background enabled her a lot of privileges like going to Harvard School, affording a nice lifestyle, and nice manicure all the time. All these characteristics reflect a soft stylish and well-spoken female. 

The history proofs that Since the creation of men and women on earth until now, the division of labor has been organized according to gender roles and, consequently, some types of activity are considered more appropriate for men while others jobs are allotted to women.

The evolution of technology and social media has helped shape our minds and thinking a certain way, but if we educate ourselves and treat each other respectfully based on merit and human rights we will be on the right path to a homogenous society.