For instance, In Two and a Half Men, mother Evelyn Harper is strong and independent. It’s agreeable that they are good qualities to have. It certainly introduces the debate that “ New conceptions about women as strong and independent forced men to renegotiate their own identities”(Peter Tragos 542). However, throughout the series, there’s a cap overshadowing her success, and instead exaggerating on her spiteful and bad tempered attitude. In addition, Tragos observes, “It appears that in redefining femininity women were expected to maintain traditional beauty and sexuality traits because there has not been a fundamental shift in masculine hegemony” (pg542). Many of these observations only emphasizes the weakness and flaws of women instead of highlighting their strengths. In consequence to its oppressive representations, media was really the first concern for second wave feminists. Feminists aggressively challenged the traditional perception of femininity in quest for equality. In turn, no longer are women based on physical appearances but are strong and …show more content…
Even more, the author notes “as definitional boundaries, gender role stereotypes relegate women to positions in the home as mothers, wives, and caregivers”(Bauer 24). In analyzing Two and a Half Men, female stereotypes are demonstrated by the protagonist, Charlie. He is given the role as a wealthy white man who lives in his mansion by the beach together with his brother Alan. More importantly, Charlie is a womanizer. He brings home beautiful, slim, ideal women for only a ‘hook up’. This affects the public and it has transformed society over time in terms of thinking what a relationship is suppose to be like. As noted in the article ‘ Shake it baby, shake it’, “Media not only affects behaviors, but may also be of prime importance for adolescents’ general ideas of romance, sex, and relationships”(847). Exposure to TV content has been linked to more stereotypical sexual demeanors. As a result, the perception that the belief that physical appearance is important to both men and women remains. Also, having the women Charlie seduces in mind, it creates a message to the women that being slim and beautiful is of key importance in society. In the book, “ Contemporary Women’s Health”, it states “ Glamorous images projected in the media have contributed to harsh self-criticism by women regarding their own body image”(97). This may very