Females fitting a certain role were found in both films viewed in class. Mona Lisa Smile showed a part of history that valued marriage and frowned down careers after marriage. The expectation of women during this time was obvious through out the film. An educated housewife is what the college strived to produce but limited the women’s capabilities.  Revolutionary Road also illustrated societies views on the gender roles on men and women. The workplace and breadwinner was the responsibility of the man of the house. The women’s purpose was to clean, cook, and tends to her family’s needs.

Both movies showed women willing to escape society’s standards to reach their potential.

 

The majority of people construct society’s standards for both genders. Sexual attraction and Body images are both evaluated and then determined by those who agree to behave in a certain way. Since society makes the standards, they have a control on what is acceptable and what is not acceptable. Therefore, society controls the pressure females have to be beautiful and slender. The need to fit in obligates many women to go to extremes to be valued. Women taking on roles that are not as feminine could result as being an outlaw. Women’s choices could cause people to question their gender if they do not stick with the norms. The unrealistic model of how women should look and act causes self-esteem issues that can lead to disorders.