This cultural artifact dramitizes who holds power. Women who resist the"cultural norms " of what it means to be a feminin, are considered the "bitch". In this case being compared to a dog implys that wives are low on the hierarchy of power, and they are clearly a threat to ones safety.Danger Powers
This is an interesting culture jam! It reminds me of our conversation in class yesterday in regards to the Muppet show. The dichotomy between wife vs. feminist makes it difficult to imagine any other variation. Either you stand up for yourself and are labelled a bitch (or a 'dog' in this case and something to beware of!) or you are a meek housewife who is subservient to your husband??? Is it possible to be both?
ReplyDeleteAubrey B.
Any woman that would "allow" her husband to hang a sign up that reads "Forget the Dog, Beware of Wife" in their home (or anywhere for that matter) is clearly NOT the one with the power in the home, and is perhaps actually lacking self-esteem to even marry such a jerk!
ReplyDelete*Silver.
I can understand the hurt a wife could experience with this sign, if a man hung this up in their house; however, I am going to add a bit of contraversy, and say, what if this could be viewed as a compliment to his wife?
ReplyDeleteGuard dogs are in the home to protect the loved ones inside, so having the comparison to his wife could be stating that she is on the watch/lookout for anyone who could cause harm to her family.
As a woman, I love when my boyfriend agrees that I can be scarey when someone/something is threatening the people who mean the world to me. I do not believe that women have to be calm, sweet, and sensitive all the time. Women should get angry, say how they feel and be recognized as a valid protector for her family.
Society believes that when a woman is tough, vicious, and goes after what she believes/wants, that she is a bitch...but women know this is not fair or true!
So why does this sign "forget the dog, beware of the wife" have to be viewed as a symbol what the wife does not have power? This would be a compliment to me; I am loud, proud and loyal...If you threaten to harm the ones I love, I'd think twice...
~Beautiful Bombshell~
That's poststructuralism at work for you - while the personal is political (see Beautiful Bombshell's response above), the personal also exists within much wider power structures, social stereotypes, gender norms, etc. In wider society, the first two readings about structures ring true: the 'mad woman in the attic' type femininity can perhaps also be read as the 'mad dog in the yard'. Not, according to dominant gender norms, or hegemonic femininity, ideal or feminine.
ReplyDeleteGreat discussion.
The Doctor
This is sooo true! I don't know why there is always that stereotype of the man being almost afraid of his own wife. The usual comment is not being afraid, its being annoyed with his wife right? You are more likely to hear the man complaining about his wife complaining to do this or that. Keeping in mind, wives don't always have it easy with their husbands and vice versa! But also, this culture jam is comparing a dog to a wife...really?
ReplyDeleteoops..Durden32 wrote that!
ReplyDelete