Examples Of Gender Stereotypes In Beartown

“One of the plainest truths about both towns and individuals is that they usually don't turn into what we tell them to be, but what they are told they are” (Backman 73). It is extremely easy to be influenced by stereotypes, and individuals often subtly mould themselves to fit in without even realizing it. When men and women are treated in stereotypically sexist ways, individuals inevitably fall into these gender stereotypes, as they become the people they are told they are. Stereotypes are easily reinforced from one generation to the next, and before long they create an immense impact on an entire town or community. Beartown actively separates men and women from an early age by preventing them from enjoying similar things, contributing equally

Gender stereotypes can be extremely dangerous, as they encourage the objectification of women, create a hierarchy between genders, and reinforce the silence of women. Overall, it is evident that the separation of genders in Beartown creates sexist town stereotypes that perpetuate rape culture.

The division of genders in Beartown starts from a very early age through the game of hockey, and leads to stereotypes that objectify women. There is no female hockey team in Beartown as hockey is considered a men’s sport. Young girls are strictly separated from their male peers, and treated like “distractions'' and even “rewards” as a result. For example, at the party after the junior team won the semi-finals,

The town’s workforce separates women and men, as it is traditional for only men to work. This gender division can be seen in the way Kira is treated for having a full-time job. She faces harsh judgement and criticism for not being the town’s stereotypical stay-at-home hockey mom. She is called a “career woman,” which is a negative term that insinuates “you have a ‘job’ so you can provide for your family, whereas a ‘career’ is selfish. You have one of those for your own sake” (Backman 71). This exemplifies the misogynistic thinking patterns of the townspeople who believe that only men should provide for their families. Further, Jeanette is not given any respect for her job as a teacher, as she is told by Bobo to “Just calm down now, sweet cheeks” (Backman 73). This belittling comment, along with the many other times she is called “sweet cheeks” or “my lovely'' by the hockey players, demonstrates the misogyny and lack of respect given to women in positions of authority in the town. The stereotypically gendered jobs in Beartown dehumanize women and perpetuate the belief that men hold more importance than women because they are the ones occupying positions of power in the community. These stereotypes increase the risk of sexual assault, because when women are not viewed as human and men feel as though they are superior, it creates