Society has set expectations for what makes up a woman. Women are expected to wear dresses, makeup, have long hair, play with dolls as girls, etc. Women are not expected to against these “rules”, and if they do, they are marginalized. Within the comic book, TomBoy by Liz Prince, the main character, Liz, points out how she goes against the traditional standards of what a woman is. Prince writes, “I didn’t even know what a tomboy was until I started school and was expected to follow the ‘rules of gender”(Prince, 2014). This statement shows that Liz just wore what she was comfortable and happy with, without thinking of what was “acceptable” for her to wear. This entire graphic memoir points out how labels are automatically put onto people. I think everyone should be able to dress and do whatever makes them happy. There is no reason to put a label on everything.
However, the world does care about labels, and these labels have an impact. Along with appearance and attitude, women are expected to work certain jobs. Within The Hidden Hand by Mrs. E.D.E.N SouthWorth, the effects of gender rules and stereotypes is revealed. Capitola has to completely change her identity in order to survive. She is unable to get a job, because she is a girl and is not considered “capable” of completing certain tasks that are “for men.” As soon as she changes her identity, she is able to start a successful life. Opportunities she never even dreamed of having began opening up to her, all because she was now a “man.”
Both texts show the expectations set on women, and how if these expectations are not met, life can be very difficult.
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