Oppression By Marilyn Frye Analysis

Gendered children’s clothing reinforces the ideology of gender binaries. As we participate in social systems, we are shaped by socialization and by paths of least resistance. Social systems are inherently learnt and taught, and this includes the idea of gendered clothing. The discussion of heteronormative culture by the general public is often viewed through the fixed lens of adults. The right to transition and same-sex marriage is defended, and we reject gendered clothing, but the issue is that the conversation should be about prevention of forced masculine/feminine clothing instead of fighting this injustice. Today, clothing remains a powerful and integral part of a person’s expression and social and gender identity and gendered items fragment that. In “Oppression” by Marilyn Frye, Frye compares the structure of a birdcage to the barriers of oppression experienced by many individuals. Following Frye’s definition of a birdcage, the gender binaries systematically set in our society also act as wire of oppression in reference to gender expression. “One of the most characteristic and ubiquitous features of the world as experienced by oppressed people is the double bind,” (Frye). There is a double bind for children to either “conform” to normativity, choose pink or blue if they like the color in actuality, or purposively rebel against societal pressures and culture and either choose the other gender’s prescribed color or neither of the colors. When one is in a store, there is an apparent and firm binary choice when shopping for children’s toys and apparel. Gender symbolism is ubiquitous. There are either pink clothes “for girls” with flowers and princesses on them or blue clothes “for boys” with cars and footballs on them. Why are cars masculine though, and wouldn’t little boys also wish to be royalty? Why can’t girls like sports and cars and prefer the color blue over pink? These examples of gender stereotyping are thought to result from interactions between unborn factions and sociocognitive processes that occur after birth. This being said, the qualities and characteristics we perceive as specific to gender are inherent by nature from the historical standpoint. It is concluded by the Department of Psychology at the University of Cambridge that upon viewing these preferences as having risen from sociocognitive processes of gender development, the current gender-designations of the colors pink and blue are in fact the reversal of the original appointment. The United States is the largest perpetrator in gendering clothing. Here, the definition of being a male or female is tightly connected to appearance. In West Africa, males wear clothing like skirts. This also occurs in Indonesia and in traditional Scottish dress. The Scottish skirt, a kilt, is still worn at many social events. This helps create a social and cultural identity and, in fact, stands for the point of masculinity. A skirt is rarely seen on males in American culture, except within the film, theater or in the context of couture or avant-garde fashion. While there is nothing specifically feminine in these styles, the skirts worn were simply a fashion statement. In modern westernized societies though, pink is consistently associated with females and blue is associated with males. Interestingly, however, the gender association of the colors pink and blue appears to have changed historically. In the mid-19th century, color began to take on the job of delineating gender among children. At this time, blue and pink became popular colors for girls and boys, but by the early 20th century, society had decided that the genders belonged in separate shades. Much to the …show more content…
… It comes down to competitive imbalance.” I disagree with this statement for a variety of reasons including the most apparent: there is no such thing as a “girls sport” or a “boys sport.” I was quoted in the article, and still stand behind the notion, that it is not “boys’ baseball,” but it is, rather, “just baseball.” Even though is it dominated and primarily played by males, there is nothing about the actual game that makes it so masculine one gender can claim it as its own. Some often argue that boys have baseball and girls have softball, but although they are similar, baseball and softball are completely different games. Ball size, field dimensions, pitching, equipment, baserunning and positions are just some of the things that differ between the