Along the Lines of Gender “For many transgender, non-binary, and gender non-conforming people, finding a safe place to relieve themselves can be difficult. Causing them to avoid restrooms which can result in urinary tract infections, kidney infections, or other kidney-related problems,” said LGBTQ Commission from the County of San Mateo. Bathrooms are one way we express gender stereotypes, and I've related to this, being what people call a tomboy and not fitting the societal expectations of being a perfect girl. Growing up, I've always had societal expectations influence me, my appearance, and how I portray myself in order to fit into the gender stereotypes of society. Throughout my life, I've seen gender be socialized through clothes, what bathroom you go in, hobbies you're into, and more. It was difficult for me when I went clothes shopping. I would always feel categorized between two sections; girls or boys. Girls' clothes are tight, show more body, and are bright and colorful. While on the other hand, boys' clothes are baggier, cover more, and use darker colors. I have felt more comfortable wearing baggy, darker-colored clothes, while that type of style is stereotyped as boy clothes. Which made it tough to go to the bathroom felt like I'm being stared at for not being in clothes that most society sees a girl wearing. So whether we know it or not we are strictly stereotyped and socialized by the stuff we wear and do. I've also seen gender get heavily socialized through the media, groups you hang out with, and family. Social media has a big part to do with gender socialization. We all go based on what we see other people do and trends that are going on in the media. So if we see people of the male gender wearing only masculine clothes and females wearing feminine clothes. We are going to grow up thinking that’s the only way you can wear it because that's how we see other people do it and we want to fit into society's expectations. Growing up hanging out with certain people I have realized that also socializes you because of the things you do and what the group does and is into. All these expectations society puts on us to try and fit in and feel accepted by our peers can put a lot of stress and pressure on someone just because they aren't in the colors, style, and hobbies that society is used to seeing them in. Making it hard for change. But I think slowly as people start expressing there self more and society gets used to new ways of people being themselves there will be less gender stereotypes. Because I have seen people on social media start to express themselves and then share it and then it becomes a trend and influences people to do it more and not be afraid.
Mask Brainstorm Making the mask Painting Mask all done
Reflection
I wouldn't change anything about this project. It was really good. I learned more about myself, learning more about gender stereotypes, and how societal expectations can shape someone's identity. Something that challenged me in this project was talking about experiences I don't usually talk about. I feel like my exhibition went really well because i was prepared, but i do wish more people came to mine. I knew i was expected to stand at my thing for 30 minutes and talk about my mask. I wish I was able to study more gender stereotypes and use more examples of them.