Over the past years, women have often been underrepresented in the film industry. Studies indicate that when they are present, they are assigned stereotypical roles. Gender stereotypes can be seen in genres that showcase the unequal distribution of gender roles (Daalmans, Kleemans, & Sadza, 2017). Stereotyping is often portrayed through character development. Some characters are depicted to possess likable attributes such as kindness. The audiences tend to identify with characters that showcase desired qualities. Also, the lifestyle chosen by a character can influence the development of certain stereotypes. For instance, a cold careerist woman with no love life may trigger stereotyping against that lifestyle. An illustration of how a single-minded woman can trigger stereotyping is showcased in the film Captain Marvel.
Captain Marvel is a recent movie release that features Carol Danvers (Brie Larson) as the primary female protagonist. The film producers depict Carol Danvers as a strong-willed woman with an intimidating physical appearance and limited social life. The character development used by the producers endorses an independent woman lifestyle that may be subject to stereotyping. Danvers' physical appearance can be viewed as unattractive due to the outfit that she wears. When not in her uniform, she wears jeans, a leather jacket, and a T-shirt. The sporty touch does little to bring out her femininity. She is also physically strong, and her body exudes strength and masculinity. These features have led some critics to label the movie as 'feminist.'
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Unlike other female superheroes’ outfits such as that of Wonder Woman, Danvers outfit is not hyper-feminine. Also, her facial expressions depict a strong woman who cannot be easily cowed. She rarely smiles or gets involved in friendly chats. The film depicts Danvers as a cold woman who is focused on the mission and does not stop even to chuckle babies (Jafar, 2019). Danvers's demeanor can be attributed to the fact that she has undergone multiple makeovers in her life both physically and otherwise. She understands betrayal and strategy as a trained soldier which affects her ability to trust easily. Danvers's appearance from the male perspective would be described as unattractive.
Danvers’ role in the movie is that of a superhero who is supposed to save the planet earth. She is depicted as a visionary superhero with a mission to execute. She does not allow stereotyped feminine qualities, such as being too emotional to distract her from her path. She courageously performs her role as the superhero and shatters the expectation that some male characters had to tame her (Jafar, 2019). Danvers’ role as a soldier turned superhero is subject to stereotyping. She plays a role that is traditionally believed to belong to men. Her effectiveness in her role depicts her as an independent woman who is beyond the reach of men. No man can woo her throughout the movie, a fact that proves her determined mindset.
Danvers's job as a soldier goes against the perception that men should take occupational roles while women cast in nurturing and marital roles. The fact that she takes up a job in a male-dominated field challenges the stereotypical depiction of femininity. She becomes a successful soldier who then gains superpowers that help save the earth from imminent destruction. Her success in a male-dominated field can be subject to stereotyping (Larsen, 2017). The society holds a belief that careerist women are overly independent and unable to get into marriage. The stereotype is enhanced by the fact that Danvers does not form any successful intimate relationship with any of her male colleagues.
Danvers' actions take actions that reinforce various stereotypes, either positively or negatively. For instance, in one particular moment of defiance, Danvers declares to a male colleague that she has nothing to prove him or any other man (Jafar, 2019). Danvers’ response shatters a long-held belief that women should prove themselves to their male counterparts. The male colleagues in Danvers’ life continually try to tame her to act as per their expectations. The response further reinforces the stereotype that independent women are difficult to tame. The stereotype is negative since it depicts women as dependent beings who are incapable of making their own decisions. Danvers’ Kree male mentor once comments that her emotionality will be her destruction (Jafar, 2019). The statement showcases a stereotype that men hold against women as overly emotional beings. It also suggests that these emotions can influence the life decisions that women take. The criticism by the male colleagues, however, has positive outcomes in Danvers' life. For instance, she fits into the men world, and her steady demeanor and determination gives her considerable success in a male-dominated field. She ultimately becomes the heroine in the story.
Danvers's character traits may lead the audience to either like or dislike her. For instance, her firm conduct and stern facial expressions may not be appealing to the male audience. Her outfit does not show her feminine nature, which would lead the male audience to dislike her. On the other hand, her success in a male-dominated field would be appealing to the female audience. The fact that she thrives in a male world would inspire other women to push against various stereotypes and realize success. Her lifestyle with her female friend would be considered by some individuals unappealing.
It is crucial to mitigate the stereotyping identified above. Equal representation of male and female characters in professional roles would curb the stereotyping. Studies indicate that over the years, female characters have been underrepresented in occupational positions in the movie industry (Daalmans, Kleemans, & Sadza, 2017). The film industry has depicted the role of women as less capable than men. This has led to reduced respect for women characters. An increased presence of women in occupational roles would, therefore, curb stereotyping based on their roles in films.
References
Daalmans, S., Kleemans, M., & Sadza, A. (2017). Gender representation on gender-targeted television channels: A comparison of female-and male-targeted TV channels in the Netherlands. Sex roles, 77(5-6), 366-378.
Jafar, A. (2019). Wonder Woman, Captain Marvel and the Power of Gender Stereotypes. Retrieved from https://msmagazine.com/2019/04/03/wonder-woman-captain-marvel-and-the-power-of-gender-stereotypes/
Larsen, G. (2017). ‘It’sa man’s man’s man’s world’: Music groupies and the othering of women in the world of rock. Organization, 24(3), 397-417.
