Movie Analysis The Four Young Boys - 1520 Words

In American society, gender stereotypes and the topic of stereotypes remain a central focus of art and individual discussion. Rob Reiner addresses stereotypes in Reiner’s film Stand by Me when he sheds light on multiple stereotypes in society. Throughout the film, Gordon, Chris, Vern, and Teddy, the main characters in the movie, frequently describe each other with derogatory terms, which characterize stereotypes in American culture. In Reiner’s movie, the four young boys follow the stereotypes that society establishes for boys and men. The main characters in the film display various stereotypes that society holds for both men and women. Reiner’s film shows that some men have a preconceived and a detrimental belief that showing emotion is a†¦show more content†¦Near the end of this scene, Chris describes himself by using the term â€Å"pussy† (59:15). Chris’ usage of the word â€Å"pussy† raises questions about its implications and it s negative connotation. When the boys classify actions as â€Å"pussy,† the boys are stereotyping both women and themselves. Individuals utilize stereotypes as a defining tool for specific actions and groups. In their article What Women and Men Should Be, Shouldn’t Be, Are Allowed to Be, And Don’t Have to Be: The Contents of Prescriptive Gender Stereotypes, researchers Deborah A. Prentice and Erica Carranza address the topic of gender stereotypes in American culture: Gender stereotypes are highly prescriptive. The qualities they ascribe to women and men tend also to be ones that are required of women and men. For example, the stereotypic belief that women are warm and caring is matched by a societal prescription that they should be warm and caring. Similarly, the stereotypic belief that men are strong and agentic is matched by a societal prescription that they should be strong and agentic. (269) Prentice and Carranza’s findings suggest that gender stereotypes force individuals into conformity with the stereotypes that society assigns. Prentice and Carranza’s research argues that members of a society must follow their stereotypical description in order for society’s acceptance of these individuals. By misusing the word â€Å"pussy,† the main characters are