For the first chapter I wanted to look into the history of the social norms and gender equality to give the basis to my essay. I felt I needed to look into the history and what was normal then to explain why women were treated the way they were.
Draft 1 of Chapter 1
How have women’s roles in the animation industry changed over the
years?
This essay will aim to discuss the animation industry and
how women’s roles have changed over the years. Exploring how the change in
times and how society viewed women all those years ago will allow me to see how
it affected what roles women were given in the industry.
Looking at and comparing different women working in the
industry will also give me a better understanding of this element to my essay,
including relevant case studies that will back up my findings. The focus on
women who worked in the animation companies and not women who were freelance
animators will be vital to the relevance of this essay. An example is Lotte
Reiniger who worked for herself and was a big name in the female world.
This essay will also compare how their roles have evolved between
then and now, such as the contrast between back then, where they could only
paint and outline cells, to now where it could be argued that they are seen as
equals. It will also discuss whether or not the social norms of the time and
idealisms had an impact on the roles women could have, as well as discussing
the differences in times and whether it has changed significantly or only
slightly and why this is.
Gender Roles
Gender roles are defined by what the public imagine a
particular gender (male or female) to be or be perceived as. These roles are
given based on our biological sex. “The term “gender roles” refers to society’s
concept of how men and women are expected to act and behave”. (Boundless) Roles
which need strength and dominance are seen as masculine, while roles which are
caring and nurturing are seen as feminine.
History
In the 1940’s the war had broken out (World War II) so many
women began having stereotypical female jobs like being a typist, secretary and
clerk. These were for the army themselves and became available as it freed up
more men to fight in the army. They were allowed to work in different sectors
in the army but were not allowed to go to the front lined as it was
unacceptable for women to be that close to the war. Women started working in
the factories to help build resources that would be used in the war.
Women’s roles in the 1950’s can be argued that they are both
similar and different to the roles women have in a contemporary society.
I started off by defining what gender roles means as this explains the 'stereotypes' people had.
Draft 2 of Chapter 1
How have women’s roles in the animation industry changed over the
years?
This essay will aim to discuss the animation industry and
how women’s roles have changed over the years. Exploring how the change in
times and how society viewed women all those years ago will allow me to see how
it affected what roles women were given in the industry.
Looking at and comparing different women working in the
industry will also give me a better understanding of this element to my essay,
including relevant case studies that will back up my findings. The focus on
women who worked in the animation companies and not women who were freelance
animators will be vital to the relevance of this essay. An example is Lotte
Reiniger who worked for herself and was a big name in the female world.
This essay will also compare how their roles have evolved between
then and now, such as the contrast between back then, where they could only
paint and outline cells, to now where it could be argued that they are seen as
equals. It will also discuss whether or not the social norms of the time and
idealisms had an impact on the roles women could have, as well as discussing
the differences in times and whether it has changed significantly or only
slightly and why this is.
Gender Roles
Gender roles are defined by what the public imagine a
particular gender (male or female) to be or be perceived as. These roles are
given based on our biological sex. “The term “gender roles” refers to society’s
concept of how men and women are expected to act and behave”. (Boundless) Roles
which need strength and dominance are seen as masculine, while roles which are
caring and nurturing are seen as feminine.
History
In the 1940’s the war had broken out (World War II) so many
women began having stereotypical female jobs like being a typist, secretary and
clerk. These were for the army themselves and became available as it freed up
more men to fight in the army. They were allowed to work in different sectors
in the army but were not allowed to go to the front lined as it was
unacceptable for women to be that close to the war. Women started working in
the factories to help build resources that would be used in the war. Women had
taken on the typically male roles while the men went to fight. “ The blurring
of the gender roles were acceptable because it helped the war effort” (David
White) It was allowed when society needed it, so the country could still grow
and have a future, but once the war was over this was reversed.
However by the 1950’s the war had ended and the men were
returning and wanting their original roles and jobs back and so the women were
pushed out of the workplace. Ones who still wanted to keep working were made to
have lower-paying ‘female’ jobs which society looked down upon, while the rest
went back to being housewives. Women had adapted for the war and then were now
being forced by society to return to the past and just go back to their homes.
Women were not seen as the money makers in the family,
instead society saw them as the home makers. Stay at home mother’s who looked
after the children, cleaned the house, cooked the dinner on time and while
doing all of this looked presentable for their husbands, who went out and
earned the money. “Women were expected to marry and start a family rather than
seek new employment” (David White). The social norms of the time were for women
to stay at home and be the submissive type while men were dominant and were in
charge of the household. This was encouraged by most of the society. An example
of this is through advertisement.
Both pictures have been taken from
neatdesigns.net
The above examples of the advertisement that were seen in
the era show how ‘happy’ women were doing the cleaning and staying at home to
cook. This was instilled with the help of the men who encouraged this. They did
not want to be seen as less of a man if their wife worked and earnt more money
than the. This was a way to control their dominance.
Now a days this is a completely different story women are
seen more as equals and have similar jobs to men although still not payed
equally. Women make up 47% of the workforce in the UK
