Learning English

Gender stereotyping refers to stereotyped images of males and females. Images of males and females are sometimes difficult to see as stereotypes because they are strongly connected with deep beliefs about the roles of males and females in our society. Many people find it disturbing when these roles are questioned. But others, above all women, get really cross when being constantly portrayed holding a mop or a broom.

It is a fact that advertisements are a clear image of society and it is here where women clean, cook, they always play the role of mothers (where are the fathers?), they are concerned about their body and ageing, etc. On the other hand, men are the ones who practise adventure sports, they are  the ones who drive any kind of vehicle (does this imply women do not know how to drive?), the ones drinking beer while watching football creating a male-bounding (this means a group of women cannot drink beer?). There are endless examples like these ones, just switch the TV on!

In fact, things are changing or at least this is what is said but why not breaking with the gender stereotypes too? I hope to see one day a father taking care of his kids while having an afternoon snack advertising some kind of milk or sausages!