I'm not good at understanding people and their motivations and needs, so years ago I put a note on my cube wall to give me some default guidelines regarding how to deal. It said something like 'Men want to be helped, and then,possibly, understood; women want to be understood, and then, possibly, helped.' I guess a succinct way of putting it is that I believe gender stereotypes are substantially true - though, fortunately, not all of them.
In this case, the stereotype is that action flicks are a form of fantasy for guys, as manifested by the fact that its not usually a woman who's crouched on the roofstop, aiming the SIG Sauer, or spinning the Maserati through the hairpin turns (Modesty Blaise and Emma Peel notwithstanding); its guys, with whom the bulk of the audience can identify. My bet is that that means guys, for the most part. Have there been either action flicks oriented to appeal to both genders (or motivational styles), or one oriented to appeal more to women than men?
And no, I don't think that women are anatomically barred from enjoying action flicks. I'm pretty sure that the appreciation of the movie occurs much, much further up the CNS.
Dear Bill, see: Kill Bill Vol. 1 and 2 (and dont read into the name). Gender stereotypes are "true" because marketing teams feed those stereotypes in everything we watch, buy, listen to, etc. Pay attention to the ads on television. You, as a male, should be as offended as women. Most cleaning and food product ads are still aimed almost purely at women. Its quite sad. Word to yo mama!
Ok, you have me on the kitchen. But that should speak of me as a person and a result of my parents, specifically my father. And yes, I give him a hard time too.
My wife and I have come to the conclusion that I simply don't 'see' some dirt that she does. Plus, I have a very generous interpretation of the thirty second rule...and I tend to regard crumbs as part of the proof that people actually live here.
7 comments:
Really, you don't think the ladies can enjoy an action packed thriller flick?
Sing it, Jane- I was thinking the same thing!
Does estrogen disqualify me from enjoying action movies? How about zombie movies (they're my favorite!)...
I'm not good at understanding people and their motivations and needs, so years ago I put a note on my cube wall to give me some default guidelines regarding how to deal. It said something like 'Men want to be helped, and then,possibly, understood; women want to be understood, and then, possibly, helped.' I guess a succinct way of putting it is that I believe gender stereotypes are substantially true - though, fortunately, not all of them.
In this case, the stereotype is that action flicks are a form of fantasy for guys, as manifested by the fact that its not usually a woman who's crouched on the roofstop, aiming the SIG Sauer, or spinning the Maserati through the hairpin turns (Modesty Blaise and Emma Peel notwithstanding); its guys, with whom the bulk of the audience can identify. My bet is that that means guys, for the most part. Have there been either action flicks oriented to appeal to both genders (or motivational styles), or one oriented to appeal more to women than men?
And no, I don't think that women are anatomically barred from enjoying action flicks. I'm pretty sure that the appreciation of the movie occurs much, much further up the CNS.
Dear Bill, see: Kill Bill Vol. 1 and 2 (and dont read into the name).
Gender stereotypes are "true" because marketing teams feed those stereotypes in everything we watch, buy, listen to, etc. Pay attention to the ads on television. You, as a male, should be as offended as women. Most cleaning and food product ads are still aimed almost purely at women. Its quite sad. Word to yo mama!
You mean, women don't live for clean kitchens? Next you'll say they don't wear pearls while cleaning, either....
Ok, you have me on the kitchen. But that should speak of me as a person and a result of my parents, specifically my father. And yes, I give him a hard time too.
My wife and I have come to the conclusion that I simply don't 'see' some dirt that she does. Plus, I have a very generous interpretation of the thirty second rule...and I tend to regard crumbs as part of the proof that people actually live here.
Post a Comment