In Lynn Peril's essay Pink Think the term is defined as "a set of ideas and attitudes about what constitutes proper female behavior." This Pink Think still exists, even thrives in today's society. As mentioned in an article a baby girl is placed in a pink blanket, which is supposedly a girl color. I personally do not like the color pink, I prefer black, red and blue, all dark colors, but society forces women into baby blue, pink, yellow and green. These colors are gentle and quiet, they reflect the stereotype also mentioned in the article of women "always being gentle, soft, delicate and nurturing." Advertisements use women as objects of beauty to attract consumers. Automotive companies do this constantly, what looks better then a tall blond model wearing six inch heals and three Pounds of makeup leaning on a corvette? When T Mobile introduced their anytime minutes they placed a young girl in a cheer leading uniform with a cell phone. The catch phrase was "Is 1500 enough for the biggest talkers?" This commercial stereotypes women as pretty, ditsy and obnoxious talkers. As the young girl continues speaking on the phone those around her tap their fingers impatiently with bored looks on their faces. Women in advertisements are free of wrinkles, acne, and scars. They are young, and thin you could call them perfect, but in reality no one looks perfect and these advertisements have a huge effect on society. They encourage the judgment of women, the idea that women are only good because of their visual assets not their intelligence or skills, a perfect example of Pink Think.
It is ridiculously difficult even today for women to take jobs as automotive technicians, welders, and carpenters. They can legally work where ever they want, however women are still not free from intense sexual harassment, a lack of respect from their co workers and even some family members. I remember telling my grandparents that I had chosen Auto Tech at school, the first words out of my grandmothers mouth were "well I'm so glad I have a grandson." I laughed the insult off, and realized that if I was to make it in my field I would have to grow a tough skin. My mother was an EMT, she was out driving the ambulance one day, when she arrived to help someone the lady inquired "who is going to help me?" Her partner indicated that my mother would be taking care of the patient and her response was "no, she can't be qualified, where is your male partner?" This woman was undoubtedly a victim of pink think, unable to see past my mothers gender.
Many people say that women have come a long way, this is true as far as job opportunities, voting rights and clothing choice, but what about the ever haunting insults? Women are put down on a daily basis. We are categorized as chatty, emotional, and weak. Yes we are given the same literal freedoms as everyone else, but emotionally we are tied down, held back by the fear of being called "butch" if we know how to throw a punch, fix a car, or wire a building.
Pink think engulfs advertisements, jobs, movies, and texts. It is evident that society for some unknown reason is incapable of rising above it. Women are continuously viewed as silly, and objects of pleasure, they rarely receive the respect they deserve. The only concept more sicking then this terrible stereotyping of women and girls is how complacent we have become to it. Pink Think has not disappeared, it is still a part of everyday life.
7 comments:
I feel that this "Pink Think" arises from the history of our species. Throughout time, the human race has waged war, fought battles, and struggled to survive for the sole reason to protect the womb. Now that the once complete necessity is no longer entirely needed (some argue that our species are here for good, the image of the women in need of protection lingers among us. I am not going to claim I understand the results all of this feasting on the female flesh, but I can say (probably with controversy) that some of the things brought into the stereotypes are not really bad. I see nothing wrong with the image of a talkative girl. Although it may not represent the whole of the female population, it does represent some of the "biggest talkers" population. I could even claim (with even more probable controversy) the use of women of exaggerated beauty is feasting more on the attributes of men than women. Sub-consciously, men are associating the "tall blond model wearing six inch heals and three Pounds of makeup leaning on a corvette" with that corvette and the desire to have such a woman with the car. Some may even go as far as saying the thought, " If i have the car, I'll get the girl too" is the result of these images. As a result of the associations with the images, one could say that the commercials with the attractive women are feeding more so on the stereotype of men as lustrous pigs than the stereotype of women "being gentle, soft, delicate and nurturing."
If you saw a commercial with a middle aged, extremely hairy man with a beer belly on the hood of a corvette wouldn't you just have the powerful urge to go out and buy that car? Oh sorry I forgot to lather him in shiny lotion...how's the image now? What I am getting at here is that the stereotypes of beauty are fanciful images which are not any worse than the truth in some cases. Let the people think that when they buy their fancy car, they will get Ms. "young, and thin" or even Fabio, rather than the more likely.
Can I call you grandson butch? I'll be sure to say it with the raspy old person voice.
I do believe Pink Think is offensive to women, but perhaps it is insulting to men as well. I'm curious to know where you got your information "it does represent some of the biggest talkers" is that your opinion? I could very easily say that homosexual men are some of the biggest talkers, but i'm not one to stereotype, and please don't call me grandson butch...that would be hard to explain to people.
I have not seen any statistics on it, but I do know quite a few people who fit the early teen female talker stereotype. That is not saying that these type of people are not the only who talk. For instance, my father uses 90% of our plans minutes because he has to constantly take calls from his workers and jobs. I also know someone, my neighbor, who is a 15 year old boy who texts people more than anyone I have ever seen. He actually broke his 3000 out of network texts by 1200. That is just out of network so he had substantially more texts in addition to those 4200. This is where I think the marketing schemers come in. I bet that, by using the female teen stereotype, they are increasing their sales over what they would see from a business man directed commercial. Plus it brings a youthful image to calling people on a cellphone, and if you haven't seen the trends lately, it is good to be young and bright.
Awww. Come on, I had my heart set on calling you "grandson Butch" Now I am going to be all depressed and sad.
But are girls trained to be social talkers, or is it inherent?
Happy B-Day Grandson Butch!
Hahahahahha thanks Dominic!! Mrs. Silveira brings up a good point, I think it's learned behavior.
'Women in advertisements are free of wrinkles, acne, and scars.' (Kayla quote)
I as a woman can relate to the anger you feel towards the stereotypes placed on women. I read the above quote and I searched my mind for a commercial featuring 'flawed' women. I came up with the AARP commercials (but only some) and then I thought of the Dove commercials where they supposedly took normal women. One was elderly and thus had some wrinkles, but even those 'normal' women were flawless. When I read something like 'Pink Think'it brings me back to the 1500's where women were breed for beauty and traded like cattle. In some ways, we still are traded. You trade out the average model for the best one you can afford because goodness knows you'll sell more cars even if its just her name.
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