Gender Roles In Thomas Balmes 'Babies'

In anthropology, culture, identity and family greatly impact the way you view the world. The French-produced documentary Babies, by Thomas Balmes illustrates the unique social structure four babies around the world will endeavor, before and after their born through the components of culture, family and gender roles. Similar to Babies, the Nigerian drama film, Mother of George directed by Andrew Dosunmu tells the story of a couple who are challenged by the societal expectations they need to complete based on their culture, family norms and gender responsibilities. Using the text Cultural ANTHRO 2 written by Robbins and Dowty, this essay will compare the similarities and differences from both films by examining the anthropological reasons behind

108) Unlike the Babies film where gender roles can be interpreted from a broader prospective, Mother of George specifically illuminates the idea that a women’s role is to be a wife, mother and homemaker. Specific gender duties are shown in many phases of the film starting with the wedding ceremony. All women and men are separated by gender in order to advice the newlyweds of their obliged duties as either men or women in their culture. For the woman, Adenike, her duties entail fostering a home for her unborn child, her new husband all while upholding the needs of her mother-in-law. For the man, Ayodele, it’s providing a home for their future children and wife. After the wedding, when Adenike in having trouble conceiving a child, her responsibility has changed. As the female she has to accept the full responsibility and blame that she isn’t getting pregnant. This concept of male and female construction goes back to Robbins and Dowty theory that gender roles are assembled and altered a certain way that is socially acceptable. Determining it’s a negative or positive acceptance is the norm being questioned in this film. Despite Ayodele outcry for help in finding a solution to their infertility, she is forced to satisfy her husband wishes without going against him by sleeping with her husband’s brother. As a women who was offered limited duties was required to make life changing decision that would make someone else happy. The family-orientated prospective in Mother of George can be seen as overshadowing the desires of Ayodele personal