Gender Roles
A look inside political cartoons
GENDER INEQUALITY IN THE HOUSEHOLD
Background:
Inequality in the household for women takes many forms - whether it be associated with stereotypes of always being in the kitchen, the only one in the house capable of taking care of the kids, or doing things that are considered a “woman’s job." All of these general stereotypes that have been around for years are still apparent in today’s society. There are still stigmas that women are supposed to be stay-at-home mothers that support the family while their husband makes the money, and very rarely is it the other way around. Women have been viewed as incapable of supporting families, when in truth, they are. Many do too, while the men stay at home (Gender and Sociology). Both genders break down these barriers and if these other acts of inequality are brought down, inequality in the household will fall as well. Political cartoons in this category approach these stigmas with humor, blatant comparisons to society, and also put a few spins on gender roles.
BLS 2010. “Highlights of Women’s Earnings in 2009”, Washington, D.C. [http://www.bls.gov/cps/cpswom2009.pdf]
______.2011a. “Women at Work”, Washington, D.C.
Team Member Name: Ryan Taylor
Publication: Gustavo Rodriguez in the media
Date: 5/30/2013
Cartoonist: Gustavo Rodriguez
U.S./International: U.S.
Title of cartoon: “Hi, Honey”
Cartoon #14
Tone of the cartoon: Satirical
1) Positive framing of the issue.
2) Framing is supportive of those that believe women play a bigger part in the home.
3) Framing is opposed to those that believe women play a lesser part in the home as opposed to men.
What action is taking place in the cartoon? What is the context?
We have all heard the phrase “women belong in the kitchen”, and this cartoon carries the theme and stereotypes that women have faced in regards to their role they play in the home. It has been common stereotype that women are “supposed” to raise the children, provide meals, maintain order in the home, and support their husband. However, there are many women that support their families based on their careers. The cartoon illustrates a hard working women coming home to her family (whom she supports) to absolute chaos while her husband is glued to a television set. What this cartoon is saying is that women are capable of the roles men have, and in maintaining order in the home.
Which side is supported by the framing of the cartoon?
This cartoon takes a stand in supporting equality for women by showing that women are capable of supporting their families in any role, and that they deserve equal treatment because so. The framing of the cartoon puts a spin on how a home looks when a man comes home to their families. Most cartoons show a clean and well to do home when a woman is in charge. In this cartoon a woman comes home to chaos while a man is in charge.
What evidence can you give that the cartoon supports one side or the other?
Because the woman comes home to a house in chaos, and in most other cartoons the man comes home to a clean home because a woman is in charge, the cartoon is a metaphor that says women are capable of what men can do. The common stereotype for men is that they are supposed to support their families and the cartoon carries the caption that “Four in Ten women” carry their families. This provides evidence and thought for readers to realize that many women are tasked with supporting their families without other support and that they deserve equal treatment because of their underestimated capabilities.
What “reality” is constructed/framed about your issue?
The cartoon wants us to realize that women are more capable than the stereotypes that society has associated them with. The cartoon illustrates an instance where a man can’t maintain order in the home and a career, while mirroring the opposite with a woman. This boils down to the reality the cartoonist wants to us to realize that women deserve equal treatment as men because they are just as capable.
Analysis:
What makes this cartoon impactful is its bold representation of a women coming home to a house of chaos because a man was in charge. It doesn’t go to far into claiming that men can’t do what women do, instead it shows that women can do what men can, and that both genders deserve equal treatment. It addresses that many homes in the U.S. are different in terms of working parents, and that equal treatment is necessary for families to be healthy.
resources:
Articles. (n.d.). Retrieved March 31, 2016, from http://www.peacecorps.gov/wws/articles/global-issues-gender-equality-and-womens-empowerme/
Mike Luckovich's Editorial Cartoons - Civil Rights Comics And Cartoons | The Cartoonist Group. (n.d.). Retrieved March 31, 2016, from http://www.cartoonistgroup.com/subject/The-Civil Rights-Comics-and-Cartoons-by-Mike Luckovich's Editorial Cartoons.php
Team Member Name: Kaitlyn Guiver
Publication: CartoonStock
Date: 2016
Cartoonist: Karsten Shley
U.S./International: International
Title of cartoon: Male Cooking
Cartoon #15
Tone of the cartoon: Mocking
1) Negative framing of gender equality.
2) Framing is opposed to supporters of gender equality.
3) Framing is supportive to opponents of gender equality.
What action is taking place in the cartoon? What is the context?
The man on the right is wearing a chef hat and an apron, as well as a spatula. It is safe to assume that he is the one cooking the meat. His expression is annoyed, and we know why because of the labeling at the bottom of the cartoon that says, "Do you want us to wait till the meat is completely burned or can we call the pizza service right now?" The meat is red and we don't see smoke coming from the grill. This shows us that it isn't burnt, but the people are implying questionability towards the male cook's skills. We assume that it is because he is a man since there aren't any symbols hinting at another reason. As ChicagoNow states, statistics are showing that men prefer to cook on the grill (Clements, 2015). This gives us understanding that the man using the grill in this cartoon is an example of a stereotype.
Which side is supported by the framing of the cartoon?
The side that men are treated unequally is supported in this cartoon. Men are criticized and stereotyped for being bad cooks, and that’s an issue that this cartoon is depicting.
What evidence can you give that the cartoon supports one side or the other?
The meat is red, showing us that the man hasn’t even cooked it for long. Yet, the people are assuming that he’s going to burn it by suggesting that they order pizza before the meat is “completely burned.”
What “reality” is constructed/framed about your issue?
The cartoonist is showing us that men are believed to be inadequate when it comes to cooking. By doing so, the cartoonist has pointed out that there is some inequality in gender roles, since usually women are expected to be the cooks of the home. However, it is up to the audience to determine whether this expected gender role is, or is not, an accurate or appropriate assumption.
Analysis:
This cartoon implies certain gender roles and expectations, which plays a big part in gender inequality. Moms are usually expected by society to be the ones cooking (as well as cleaning and taking care of children), while the men are to be at work providing for the family. These expectations from society creates a distinction between the two genders and assumes that the reversal of roles would create inadequate results. Because the people are assuming that the man will fail in his duty to cook the meal, it is playing along with the stereotype that men are not women's equal when it comes to preparing food.
Clements, M. (2015, November 18). At the Grill and in the Kitchen, Men Are Cooking it Up Cross-Generationally. Retrieved March 29 from http://www.chicagonow.com/marketing-strategist/2015/11/at-the-grill-and-in-the-kitchen-men-are-cooking-it-up-cross-generationally/
Shley, K. (2016). Male Cooking Cartoons and Comics. Retrieved March 29, 2016, from https://www.cartoonstock.com/directory/m/male_cooking.asp
Team Member Name: Glennon Petersen
Publication: NCW
Date: May 5, 2015
Cartoonist: Kanika Mishra
International
Title of cartoon: Cartoons for Change
Cartoon #16
Tone of the cartoon:
1) Negative framing of the issue – the women is depicted as a very hard working individual who not only cares for her family but is also providing for them while her husband is laying around and fanning himself.
2) Framing is supportive of supporters – this cartoon successfully displays women doing something powerful and meaningful with their lives, proving that women are good not only in the house but during hard and strenuous tasks.
3) Framing is opposed to opponents – activist groups that say men should be doing all of the hard labor while women are taking care of the house are quickly silenced with this comic, showing the man to be nothing but a lazy, unnecessary person.
What action is taking place in the cartoon? What is the context?
This cartoon depicts an Indian mother carrying around a bundle of sticks while balancing two pots in her head, tagging along with her is her two children. In the middle of the cartoon, there appears to be a man, likely the woman’s husband, doing nothing but laying on a chair and fanning himself. In the distance, you can see a car with a speech bubble saying “Oh She?!? ... she doesn’t work, she’s a housewife”, saying that the woman isn’t doing anything hard and is just merely a housewife”.
What “reality” is constructed/framed about your issue?
The cartoonist wanted the viewer to believe that women are treated terribly in this world. Women like this are seen everywhere nowadays and they’re all being constantly scrutinized by misinformed and misogynistic people. Women are a valued input in today’s society but are blatantly being put down and stepped on by ‘the man’. A great women’s rights activist Meenakshhi Mishra said an amazing quote in 2014 stating “That the New Generation of Indian Women are being intolerant.
Standing up to society, age old traditions,bigots,bullies and abusers isn't intolerant. It's called courage.” (Mishra, 2015)
Analysis:
The symbols in this cartoon are everywhere, where do I even begin. For starters, lets look at the headliner: the hard working woman. She is a symbol of power, individuality and spirit. She Is seemingly the only person that is doing any work in this small village. Then there’s a the man, who is a symbol of incompetence and laziness. He is an unnecessary part of this community, however as he is the man of the ‘house’, he will get all the royalties that come with it, such as laying around and doing nothing. Finally, there is the car, which is a symbol of the common phrase “he said she said”, whereas he knows that women don’t work where he is from, so he just assumes that any woman doesn’t work as well. It’s quite unfortunate that this is a mindset nowadays.
Resources:
Mishra, M. (2015, February 2). Every Woman is A Leader. Retrieved March 31, 2016, from http://shethepeople.tv/every-woman-is-a-leader-8/