The depiction of women in films and television has dramatically changed since the 1950s. In the first Youtube video, “Oldsmobile What Women Want Part 1,” women were perceived as prim and proper and pretentious, who only cared about fine materials; whereas the second video, “Women Help Drive Formula 1,” shows how women today work alonside men, are respected, and regarded as equals. This drastic change in women’s roles has evolved as education, culture and society have all changed over time.
This first Youtube video, “Oldmosbile What Women Want Part 1,” was made post-World War II and emphasizes the idea that women during this time cared mostly about beauty, elegance and wealth. The video shows a beautiful women at a car dealership being shown a high quality car by a salesman, while the storyline is narrated by a very proper and well kempt woman. The narrator describes how women love to feel richness and elegance of cars, on the inside and out, just like they do with their dresses. The narrator gives tips that the salesman should use, such as asking the woman, “how many other women in your beach club have a car like this?” Not once during this video does the salesman tell the woman anything about the mechanics or engine of the car; perhaps this is because women during this time were perceived as not being intelligent enough to understand such matters. The video portrays womens’ roles during this time as being beautiful, well kempt, unambitious, and only caring about expensive materials of the finest quality.
This second Youtube video, “Women Help Drive Formula 1,” is a modern day video about the important women that are behind the success of the Panasonic Toyota Racing’s Formula 1 team. This video focuses on the fact that these women have taken on the roles that have customarily been filled by men, and are respected for their hard work and intelligence. Several women and men that work for the organization are interviewed during the film about these women and all have very positive and respectful comments; they don’t perceive these women as exceptions or special cases because they are all regarded as equals within the organization. Women carry different roles behind Formula 1, some are in very high ranking decision making positions, while others are working directly with the cars and racers. One particular woman talked about during the video, named Margarette, is a highly regarded engineer for the Formula 1 team. Among many other things, her job includes checking the electronics of the vehicles before they can be driven. Both men and women have much respect for her hard work and intelligence, which is a big change from the post-World War II times.
After viewing both of these videos, it is clear that the perception of womens’ roles in society has changed immensly since the post-World War II era. Women were not taken so seriously during the 1950s as they are today. Much of the change has to do with how education and society as a whole has been changing. Slowly, women in the past have stepped up and proven themselves to be just as intelligent and competent as men. These actions have helped to pave the way for women to strive for their own dreams and gain respect and admiration along the way. Just like the women that were portrayed in the Oldsmobile video, women today still appreciate beauty and fine materials, the difference though is that women today don’t have to depend on their husbands to finance what they desire. Women today have the educational backgrounds, capabilities and drive to work just as hard, to become just as successful as their male equals and competitors.
May 10, 2008 at 4:24 pm
This post is well-written and clearly organized. You provide a solid explanation of the first video clip, which in turn highlights how post World War two women were characterized as prim, proper, and pretentious. The fact that you referenced the salesman’s tactics shows superior analysis and greatly assists you in providing evidence for your platform. The second clip is a perfect contradiction of the first clip, and reveals how the characterization of women has currently evolved. Two aspects of this assignment made this post excpetional. These aspects are the appropriate selection of film clips and the hands-on explanations, allowing the audience to comprehend your ideas.
May 10, 2008 at 8:53 pm
I definitely agree with your post and how the role of women today has changed so much since the mid 1900′s. For example, in my family, my parents have switched the traditional roles of a mother and father. My mom went to college and my dad did not. My mom has always been the one who brings in the majority of the family income with the more demanding job. As I was growing up my dad had a flexible job so he was the one that took care of me during the weekdays, did the chores around the house, and made dinner every night while my mom was working. However, when my parents where growing up their moms stayed home and took care of the family while their dad’s were hard at work.
May 11, 2008 at 5:40 am
“Both men and women have much respect for her hard work and intelligence, which is a big change from the post-World War II times.” I agree with this statement along with my blog’s point that after World War II, women gained their respect and rights and the war itself was a turning point for in the battle of equality. And I really liked how you contrasted your thoughts to your own youtube cilp to the 1950s clip.