Gender Roles...

Today I introduced the class to the concept of gender roles.  I think it is really interesting to look back in time and see how some aspects of gender roles have changed dramatically, but some aspects stay the same.  To introduce the idea of gender roles, we watched the animated version of Shel Silverstein's The Giving Tree.  The movie itself is from 1973, but it displays gender roles in a way that we still accept today; this relates to masculine and feminine cultures as well.  In the movie, the "boy" starts out depending on the tree for entertainment and nurturing (swinging from branches, climbing the trunk, eating apples, and sleeping in the branches), but as the "boy" ages, his needs change.  Later he needs money, a house, and a boat. Each of these exemplifies the concept of seeing material success in masculine cultures.  The tree, on the other hand, displays elements of a feminine culture. No matter how many times the "boy" returns to the tree in search of something new, the tree continues to give.  Each time she gives, the tree is literally giving of herself until all she has left is a stump. This relates to the feminine culture's need to build relationships, improve the quality of life for others, and fill the world with tenderness. The tree is a perfect example of this.  Do you see any other examples in the movie of the "boy" representing masculine culture and gender roles? How about other examples of the tree representing feminine culture and gender roles?

redtreetimes. "The Giving Tree" Red Tree Times. 4 April 2011. <http://redtreetimes.com/2011/08/04/the-giving-tree/> 12 Sept 2012.