Accepted Behavior in the Media

Accepted behavior in the media!

Mid to late nineteen nineties were huge for influencing and educating society on gender stereotypes. Americas society is constantly creating and defying acceptable gender affiliated behavior. New expectations are being constructed along with stereo types, both the expectations and stereo types are being used consciously and unconsciously. The media constantly influences certain cultural norms such as sexual orientation, gender norms, religion, and these cultural influences are spread amongst millions of people every day. During the late nineties two b movies were released, both movies explored different expectations and acceptable behaviors of females in the United States. Both movies do an excellent job making the audience aware of the expectations of women and the way they behave. The two movies approach different society built expectations for females in America!

In the film Boys Don't Cry written by Kimberly Peirce and Andy Bienen approaches expectations against females who project masculine characteristics. Brandon Teena (Hilary Swank) is the popular new “guy” in a tiny Nebraska town. He hangs out with the guys, drinking, cussing, and bumper surfing along with any other uber masculine stereotypes, and he charms the young women, who've never met a more sensitive and considerate young man. Life is good for Brandon, now that he's one of the guys and dating the hometown beauty Lana. However, he's forgotten to mention one important detail. It's not that he's wanted in another town for GTA and other assorted crimes, but that Brandon Teena was actually born a woman named Teena Brandon. When his best friends make this discovery, Brandon's life is ripped apart. Hilary Swanks character is ridiculed and criticized for her decision to rebells against societies stereotypical image of a woman!

G.I. Jane directed by Ridley Scott is about a study of Lt. Jordan O'Neil (Demi Moore), a Navy topographic analyst. Mrs. O'Neil is chosen as a test case for the presence of women in combat. Aware that she is making history and considering the fact that sixty percent of all male trainees fail the training, Lt. O'Neil initially struggles to prove herself physically and mentally worthy of becoming a Navy SEAL, but as the movie goes on proves her self. What she doesn't know is that she is being sold out by the Texas senator Lillian DeHaven (Anne Bancroft), who is being blackmailed by the Defense Department with politically fatal base closings unless O'Neil fails the program. The film did a great job exploiting the ridiculous expectations regarding the role of femininity in women. Demi Moore's character was criticized for rebelling against accepted norms of wearing skirts and high heels while cooking out in your back yard by attempting to prove the United States government wrong. Expectations for women and the amount of femininity that they project have been created by society and unconsciously enforced by our government every day both in the movie and real life!

Both movies use ethos as their