Stereotypes bombard us continuously and relentlessly, perpetuated by the media. Let’s face it, we are surrounded by them, and I think it would be safe to say that most of us feel pressured by them to varying degrees.
I just encountered an article in theage.com.au asking: “Is it possible to escape rampant female stereotyping?” The answer provided: “Apparently not.” I tend to agree with this assumption, largely because society is surrounded by an explosion of images of beautiful, sexy and successful women with perfect figures, skin, hair, and so on. Society could almost be described as existing in a materialistic void surrounded by an extremely thin veneer or patina of physical perfection.
This incredibly superficial and shallow attainment of external perfection is desired and sought relentlessly, with little value placed upon intelligence, hard work and compassion. The book entitled Bimbos, Bitches and Ballbreakers (Bitches Bimbos Ballbreakers Illustrated Stereotypes) examines the growing number of stereotypes including “Gold-digger,” “Trophy Wife,” “Single Mum,” “Working Mum,” “Supermum,” “Bitch,” “Daddy’s Girl,” “Tomboy,” “Bimbo” – the list is endless, and females are labelled with stereotypes throughout their entire life from the moment they are born.
This book also argues that these negative terms lose their derogatory power through constant use. It would seem the result of this stereotyping is negative in that many women may not feel good about themselves as they struggle to live up to the ridiculous expectations imposed by extremely superficial social constructs.
