The tutorial from the Association gave “rules” about the proper dress and performance for women in the workplace. The language of these guidelines demeaned women as a whole as well as lower class women and women who do not necessarily prefer to dress in the typical female business attire. On the contrary, men were simply given guidelines about the tailoring and color of their clothes – something that would not be offense and was typical common sense. A similar set of rules for women would be perfectly acceptable and achievable.
Unfortunately, sexist language about how to dress “professionally” is not uncommon. In a class last semester, a woman from the career center visited us andspoke about interview techniques. Of course, the topic of dress was covered extensively. To my surprise, the woman gave fashion advice to women that was very sexist and implied that we should reflect a certain type of woman. She told us that women should wear heels, not flats. We should wear skirts rather than pants if possible (but of course, that skirt has to be the perfect length – not too short or long). We should wear our hair out of our faces, but make sure it is not slicked back into a ponytail that could look less than feminine. While this advice may be shocking, this was not the first time I had heard this advice.
We get signals on what is “proper business attire” from many sources. I used to subscribe to Cosmopolitan magazine. The publication featured a section on being a woman in the workplace every month, and the words of advice offered to readers were ridiculous. I remember one article talking about the shades of makeup that would be most desiredin an employee. The author wrote that light pink nails and a light pink lip offer the perfect balance of beauty and femininity. This makes me question why we must be a certain degree of “feminine” to be a good worker.
The image of a business woman portrayed on popular television shows only perpetuates these norms of femininity and sexuality in the workplace. For instance, this image from “Cougar Town” is of the main character in her typical business attire. She is a real estate agent who often has her cleave out and wears tight fitting clothes even when working only in the office.
The next two images are of doctors on the shows “House” and “Private Practice”. Both shows portray an overly sexualized medical setting in which female doctors are always “sexy” and more concentrated on their relationships than their work. The doctor from “House” is of course, showing cleavage in a low-cut shirt. This is obviously an unrealistic portrayal of female doctors. Similarly, on “Private Practice” all the doctors are involved in sexual relationships, usually with one another. The women all dress in very form fitting clothes and carry themselves in a less than professional way in the office. It’s no wonder that women are confused today about what is expected from their professional clothing choices. We are expected to be proper and business-like while major organizations and popular culture are perpetuating confusing and sexist stereotypes.
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ReplyDeleteThis blog points out very interesting points, especially for a reader who is also a female preparing to enter the workforce. This summer I read an article in Newsweek titled, “The Beauty Advantage.” They touch upon the “beauty bias” in job selection, and how “women will always face a double bind, expected to conform to the beauty standards of the day, yet simultaneously condemned for doing so.” While omen in the 80s were wearing “boxy suits,” now they adorn “tight pencil skirts,” and blouses that accentuate their busts. The problem is, as the article says, “Studies show that unattractive women remain at a disadvantage in low-level positions like secretary, while in upper-level fields that are historically male-dominated, good-looking women can suffer a so-called bimbo effect. They are viewed as too feminine, less intelligent, and, ultimately, less competent—not only by men but also by their female peers.”
ReplyDeleteThis bind leaves a woman in crossroads of either being over looked for being deemed less attractive, masculine, etc., or ridiculed for being to scandalous, feminine, and thought of as un-intelligent. When looks, appearance, and clothes are being taken into consideration often times above credibility and actual skill, I am left “perpetually worried about [my] appearance—[and] also worried about worrying.”
Read more here: http://www.newsweek.com/2010/07/19/the-beauty-advantage.html
Very interesting stuff. The more I think about popular representations of women in the work place, the more I see your point. Even in cartoons we see this divide in clothing. Take for example the show Futurama – where they have a deliver business. The main female of the group wears a low cut white tank top. The other female wears a pink track suit – which sounds good at first. But fear not, her mid drift is showing. The guys in the cartoon all are in coats or tshirts and pants.
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