Yo bro! Bromances have become an object of great attention
and to some extent ridicule within the media. Movies like ‘I love you man’ show
the humor in men trying to find friendship, but they also show how there is a
heteronormative discourse is still prevalent in our society. Becker’s article
addressing the current bromance phenomenon I think points out many critical
issues that still underlie men’s' sexuality and stereotypes in media texts. The
article focuses a lot of analysis on the show ‘Bromance’ where Brody Jenner has
a competition to find his next best friend or ‘bro.’ The main thing I found to
be very interesting about the article was that bromances are used as a way to
allow men to express emotions while maintaining their heterosexuality. Yet,
there is still a need for theses ‘bros’ to reinforce the fact that they are not
gay, but at the same time okay with gay individuals. When a contestant on
‘Bromance’ decided to leave the show, because he felt like he didn’t quite fit
in. He was openly gay and many of the challenges required picking up ‘chicks’
and he lived in a house that had women’s’ panties displayed on the walls. When
he left many of the straight guys went to say how great of a guy he was, just
that he didn’t fit in, and that they had nothing against gay men. They acknowledge
that they are not against gay people, but that this individual didn’t fit in
with their group of straight men trying to get friendship. I think having
bromances makes appropriate behaviors for men much more complicated. They are
told it’s okay to show emotion, but when seen together people automatically
think that they are gay. I don’t think bromances are liberating because of the
constant reaffirmations that the ‘bros’ on Bromance made, along with other
examples Becker identifies. They are straight, but can get teary-eyed during
their bro-elimination ceremony. I think bromances just make identifying what
behavior is socially appropriate for men even more confusing for men. They now
have to explain their actions and friendships when they hang out with other
men.
Showing posts with label boys' club. Show all posts
Showing posts with label boys' club. Show all posts
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Monday, February 13, 2012
Ribon's The Magical Vulva of Opportunity is one piece that I personally love because of its honesty. It is funny and true and so heartfelt to the point where I completely understand every word that she chose to write.
I believe that all women still feel the pings of sexism in parts of their everyday life whether it be in class, at work (like Ribon), or in their relationship. But I also believe that there are people out there that refuse to discuss it because they do not actually believe for one second that there is still sexism out there. I have heard countless men and women, and believe me it makes me cringe every time, that say "There should be no feminism because there men and women are equal".
WHAT???
Something that I have studied for almost four years and completely stand behind is that there is still a need for feminism and I think this idea is almost being communicated in The Magical Vulva of Opportunity without actually being said. Honestly if she kept going I'm sure she would have said something along those lines.
Ribon discusses the Boys' Club that sits behind the scenes in comedy and her experience being told that she is "lucky" that she is relatively successful because of the fact that she is a woman. No, not because she is a good writer or funny for that matter, but a woman, basically a vagina. Ribon was being limited to her genitals, not even her wit.
To those people who I spoke of earlier who still think that women and men are completely equal:
WHAT???
That is evidence enough that there is still a need for feminism. What I mean by that is that there is still an incredible need for women and men to discuss and CHANGE the ways women are seen, in this case, in comedy. Women and men should never be limited to whether or not they have a vagina or a penis. Honestly what I propose to rid the world of this kind of prejudice is to teach our children that having a vagina or a penis doesn't make you better. If people are taught that women and men ARE equal then we can begin to actually understand that. (That is just the beginning)
Honestly, I hope everyone read Ribon's opinions in The Magical Vulva of Opportunity because it reminds those who have forgotten that there is still prejudice out there and it needs to change.
I believe that all women still feel the pings of sexism in parts of their everyday life whether it be in class, at work (like Ribon), or in their relationship. But I also believe that there are people out there that refuse to discuss it because they do not actually believe for one second that there is still sexism out there. I have heard countless men and women, and believe me it makes me cringe every time, that say "There should be no feminism because there men and women are equal".
WHAT???
Something that I have studied for almost four years and completely stand behind is that there is still a need for feminism and I think this idea is almost being communicated in The Magical Vulva of Opportunity without actually being said. Honestly if she kept going I'm sure she would have said something along those lines.
Ribon discusses the Boys' Club that sits behind the scenes in comedy and her experience being told that she is "lucky" that she is relatively successful because of the fact that she is a woman. No, not because she is a good writer or funny for that matter, but a woman, basically a vagina. Ribon was being limited to her genitals, not even her wit.
To those people who I spoke of earlier who still think that women and men are completely equal:
WHAT???
That is evidence enough that there is still a need for feminism. What I mean by that is that there is still an incredible need for women and men to discuss and CHANGE the ways women are seen, in this case, in comedy. Women and men should never be limited to whether or not they have a vagina or a penis. Honestly what I propose to rid the world of this kind of prejudice is to teach our children that having a vagina or a penis doesn't make you better. If people are taught that women and men ARE equal then we can begin to actually understand that. (That is just the beginning)
Honestly, I hope everyone read Ribon's opinions in The Magical Vulva of Opportunity because it reminds those who have forgotten that there is still prejudice out there and it needs to change.
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