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Last night I gathered with a group of friends for some good food, conversation and a mix of football and pricey commercials, a traditional Super Bowl party. The get-together was hosted by a man. The delicious meal was prepared primarily by men. Some of the biggest football enthusiasts in the group were women.
Yet, as soon as the commercials began rolling, we were reminded that men and women have very specific roles to play. Men do not, at least willingly, shop, clean up their messes, listen, or carry lip balm. Unless it means they can get the car of their choice. Women, on the other hand, are either manipulators, coercing their significant others to do those unmanly tasks, or pawns of little value that can be traded for tires.
The advertisers seemed to rely on gender stereotypes to somehow convince the public of the superiority of their products.
Rewind eight hours from the kickoff (right about the time the pregame coverage was starting). My setting was very different. Our worship service had just started, and like every week, men and women were participating based on their personal gifts. Not the ones assigned to them because of their gender, but the ones that God gave to them as unique individuals.
Leading music, teaching the children in the nursery, discussing Scripture, cooking dishes for the potluck, preaching, planning service projects for the congregation, washing potluck dishes — these are only some the tasks that are shared by the men and women each week in our community.
In a society that sends us so many messages about just how we should be feeling and acting as men or women, it is refreshing to have a place where these roles do not limit us in the expression of our gifts. It is good that the church is a place that welcomes us as we are.
Monday, February 8, 2010
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3 comments:
The mislabeled gender role assignments that were crammed down our throats left me with an upset stomach, too, Mallory. I'm thankful that what I've experienced of maleness (and what I've witnessed of women experiencing their respective femaleness) begs to differ with what I saw during commercial breaks. I've seen many Super Bowls...are they all this bad, or am I just more aware of gender misnomers and the like?
Super Bowl commercials are meant to be cartoonish. Sure they play to - as well as lampoon - all kinds of stereotypes, but serious social comemntary they are not. Have a sense of humor. Not everything has to be taken so seriously.
Alas, the shortcome of message boards. David, we should sit down for a drink (something with lactose, of course--I'm a serious milkaholic) so you can find out how funny I can be.
On the subject of the Super Bowl, it's possible to be funny without lapsing into these overdone (outdated?) stereotypes, and I guess I expect more from Super Bowl advertising than what I saw. Social commentary they are not, you're right. But does that mean they have to tap into Leave it to Beaver social roles to reach their niche audiences? Are we the viewers so base that we'll appreciate that, commercial after commercial after commercial?
Just my thoughts.
Next year, come to my Super Bowl party. Milk's on me.
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