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Orange Is The New Black Gender Essay

589 Words3 Pages

Race and Gender in Orange Is the New Black Jenji Kohan’s Orange Is the New Black codifies traditional gender stereotypes. The show presents women of various backgrounds; black, white, Latina, lesbian, bisexual, and transexual women. However, the show only presents one type of man; violent. In addition to being physically dangerous, the show presents men to be perverted. Based on the show, women use their innocence to achieve what they want. Although Litchfield Correctional Facility houses about 200 female criminals, Orange Is the New Black makes it seem like men are the real bad guys. Whether they are locked up or not, men are presented to be violent miscreants. For examples of men not locked up, there is Cesar (Aleida Diaz’s boyfriend) and Officer Healy. An example of Cesar being violent is when Bennett visits his home to pick up a crib. In addition to yelling at his partner and kids, he forces his son to eat microwaved French fries at gunpoint. Another example is Officer Healy. Although Officer Healy has not physically hurt someone, he still does not have a good image. It is not uncommon for him to flip out when speaking to or about his wife. Given how violent the ordinary men are presented, the men locked up are presented to be even harsher. When Piper is transported to Chicago on a plane full of male prisoners, the show …show more content…

Interestingly, the show presents women, both in jail and not, to often be innocent victims doomed by circumstances. Inmates Alex and Piper blame men for “forcing” them into the drug and money trafficking business and eventually in jail. Piper’s friend, Polly, uses her innocence from having a bad husband to justify her affair with Piper’s boyfriend Larry. However, men still receive all of the blame and are presented to be the real “bad guys” of the show. Worth noting is that this show passes the Bechdel Test without hitting you over the head with

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