"The Codes of Gender"

On  Friday we watched the film "The Codes of Gender" in class. "The Codes of Gender", written and directed by Executive Director Jhut Jhally,  gives you an interesting and eye-opening look at identity and how culture and media portray males and females. The film dives into what is behind the ad, uncovering how both sexes are viewed and helps piece together an idea of the difference of identity and power relations. At first I was a little skeptical of the film; however after a few minutes into the movie, I found my self more interested and surprised by what Professor Jhally had to say.
     Mr. Jhally went on to talk about how we as culture need to be able to put other people into groups or tiers, either male or female. Without the ability to group another person into one these tiers, it makes it hard for people to identify a persons gender, thus creating confusion and sometimes violence. Media ads to the tiers as well, showing males and females in different poses which signify masculinity or femininity by how the individual is sitting, standing, laying down, etc. Apparently, since we are bombarded with ads portraying males and females in certain roles, norms, and traits as well as family and friends placing an identity with our gender, we have created a culture all its own that places individuals into gender specific roles and helps us perceive what it is to be a man or a woman.
    This film is a good watch and will definitely give you an understanding as to how we perceive other individuals and put those individuals into groups because of gender.