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araisha151Television’s “New Girl” shows a glaring representation of the “New Man” model in each of its four male co-stars. The show’s premise is a woman breaking up with her boyfriend and moving in with four male roommates after responding to an ad on Craigslist. While three of the men go through experiences that lead them closer to their female side and therefore help them to be more successful in their lives; two of the male roommates, Schmidt and Nick, are outstanding examples of alpha male vs “New Model.”
Schmidt, a metro sexual Jewish man is the most feminine of the group. He has a successful job, a string of women and is fit and healthy. He has an attention to detail that borders on neurotic and is the main cook and cleaner in the house. He is unabashedly open with his emotions and “bro-love,” and goes as far as to throw a ten year anniversary for himself and Nick, when they have lived as roommates for the last decade.
Nick is the cliché masculine man which leads to all sorts of trouble. He doesn't like to talk about his emotions, he doesn't take an interest in personal appearance or what he eats, and he drinks a lot of beer. Interestingly, this representation of the traditional alpha male fits in perfectly with the theory discussed by Ken Gillam and Shannon R. Wooden in the “Post princess models of gender: The New Man in Disney/Pixar.” All of the points that make him traditionally masculine are what work against him; he’s out of shape, he’s going nowhere and due to lack of communication he is unhappy with himself and his life.
This is a startling contrast to Schmidt, who as a result of doing the exact opposite of what Nick does, is primarily a happy character. Ironically, though Nick is the least communicative in the house, all the characters strive to be his primary partner, the men as a best friend and the female lead as a partner. This also parallels with “Post Princess” and it’s idea of homosocial relationships. Like discussed by Gilliam and Wooden, Nick often “suffers from the emotional isolation of the alpha male,” and only through getting vulnerable with the other characters he is able to begin to transform.
QUESTION: The "New Man" image suggests that it is acceptable for a man to show some femininity but it also negates man's responsibilities of being the provider. Though women's image has changed through out the years it seems women have been asked to take on more in terms of providing and other male dominated areas, yet retain their femininity as well.
Do you think that these changes in traditional gender stereotypes serve to equalize men and women or do you think that it is still unbalanced?
Schmidt, a metro sexual Jewish man is the most feminine of the group. He has a successful job, a string of women and is fit and healthy. He has an attention to detail that borders on neurotic and is the main cook and cleaner in the house. He is unabashedly open with his emotions and “bro-love,” and goes as far as to throw a ten year anniversary for himself and Nick, when they have lived as roommates for the last decade.
Nick is the cliché masculine man which leads to all sorts of trouble. He doesn't like to talk about his emotions, he doesn't take an interest in personal appearance or what he eats, and he drinks a lot of beer. Interestingly, this representation of the traditional alpha male fits in perfectly with the theory discussed by Ken Gillam and Shannon R. Wooden in the “Post princess models of gender: The New Man in Disney/Pixar.” All of the points that make him traditionally masculine are what work against him; he’s out of shape, he’s going nowhere and due to lack of communication he is unhappy with himself and his life.
This is a startling contrast to Schmidt, who as a result of doing the exact opposite of what Nick does, is primarily a happy character. Ironically, though Nick is the least communicative in the house, all the characters strive to be his primary partner, the men as a best friend and the female lead as a partner. This also parallels with “Post Princess” and it’s idea of homosocial relationships. Like discussed by Gilliam and Wooden, Nick often “suffers from the emotional isolation of the alpha male,” and only through getting vulnerable with the other characters he is able to begin to transform.
QUESTION: The "New Man" image suggests that it is acceptable for a man to show some femininity but it also negates man's responsibilities of being the provider. Though women's image has changed through out the years it seems women have been asked to take on more in terms of providing and other male dominated areas, yet retain their femininity as well.
Do you think that these changes in traditional gender stereotypes serve to equalize men and women or do you think that it is still unbalanced?
Great portrayal
Date: 2014-05-28 09:34 pm (UTC)Re: Great portrayal
Date: 2014-05-29 02:11 am (UTC)In reponse to your answer I have to say I think that equality will always be an issue between genders, unfortunately. I am doing my research essay on rape culture and the more I research the more I come to understand there is a huge imbalance in our society. We just are so used to it, we rarely see it.
Great examples!
Date: 2014-05-29 03:33 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2014-05-29 04:20 pm (UTC)In answer to your question, I do feel that though traditional gender roles have shifted there is still imbalance. I have observed many women who try to do the career and family balance. It looks like a lot of work and they often seem completely run down. I'm not sure how much of this is due our gender roles needing to find more balance or if this is an issue of the financial and societal structure we live in now, but it certainly doesn't seem easier than it has been in the past.