Have Gender Stereotypes Completely Changed in the Past 144 years?

    How much have gender stereotypes really changed in the past 144 years? When we look at the surface level, it is easy to say that everyone is equal and has equal opportunities, but a closer look shows how much of that is not true. Though the progress we have made cannot be discounted by any means, there are still many societal norms that exemplify how much farther our society must go. We can compare two pieces of media using this, one being the 1879 play A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen and the 2023 movie The Barbie Movie. Comparing the two pieces, we can see how women are still constantly seen as lesser within today’s society and although they have more rights and opportunities, women are still not seen as equals to men.        

    Women have historically been viewed as weaker and lesser than in past centuries, with the turn of the 20th century beginning a push for women’s rights and equality. The play A Doll’s House was an example of this push, particularly in societal desires for this change. The play focuses on how the main character, Nora, was viewed as childish and not able to make decisions for herself or anyone else, often being described as a “little, bewildered, helpless thing” (Ibsen 144) who has no knowledge of financial matters or basic survival skills. She is treated as foolish and someone who needs to be taught, which was a stereotype for many women during this time. When compared to today, women are viewed as having more ability to survive on their own and be successful individually, but nowhere near equals. They are still expected to be underneath men and not as successful, being viewed as less smart or powerful, having to work much harder than men to gain respect from their peers. The Barbie Movie perfectly exemplifies this. Sasha’s mother, Gloria, is shown to me a powerful single mother, and is a very smart women with great ideas, but is constantly belittled within her work at Mattel and not seen to have the skills to create products. She is forced to work as an assistant and is not respected by her coworkers, just because she is a woman. Gloria exemplifies how we are still living in a male dominated world, where women are stuck fighting for every opportunity and right, despite any progress we have made. Yes, women can have more complex and respected jobs, but the path to get there is ever more challenged compared to that of a man. Women can take on more opportunities and rights but constantly must fight for them and to get equal treatment, even if they are more than qualified for a position.

    Women’s rights have increased greatly in the past 144 years, but they have not yet reached a place of equality with men. There are still many fights ahead to reach this, but I am confident that society will eventually reach true equality.