By Kim Sun-ae
When was the last time you watched a play or movie that has a wonderful female character? How many times have you found a woman in a novel whom you would like to resemble?
From literary works to advertisements, women are generally depicted as similar images. Even in literary works that should present various figures, the women are often described only as a "mother" or a "sexual object." In many advertisements, movies, plays and novels, women are sexually objectified. This way, a culture consisting of distorted images of women continues.
However, women can become poets, farmers, politicians, scientists, activists ― anyone. We are citizens of this society and the world, and members of the natural world and the universe. We are all of them and ever-changing. Any single word can't define us. Whether you are a woman, man or identify as of another gender, it's the same.
Therefore, I hope writers create works that show diverse aspects of women, especially positive aspects that have not been shown so far. I want to meet admirable characters in a variety of works who cross the boundaries imposed on them by society.
If we are dissatisfied with existing female and male characters, we can start creating new characters ourselves. We should not just wait until someone else, on behalf of us, presents strong, active women figures whom we want to see.
We need works that show our unconfined selves. Using our imaginations and observations, reason and sensitivity, and abundant abilities including empathy, we can create a culture that recognizes the various sides of both women and men ― for all members of society to be able to see one another as we really are and to respect each other.
My four-year-old nephew once said to me and my sister that only men can become police officers. He seemed to have seen a cartoon with only male police officers in it. Such a program can strengthen gender stereotypes. My sister explained to him, "Women can also be police officers." The media should promote gender equality through unbiased programs.
While reading children's books to my nephew, I also realized again there are a lot of biases in them. Many stories had a similar plot: a man (often a prince) falls in love with a beautiful woman, saves and marries her. Often women's appearances are evaluated. In "Cinderella," for example, Cinderella is depicted as "the most beautiful woman at the ball." After dancing with her, the prince doesn't even ask her, but just decides to marry her.
We need new stories, beyond passive women characters whose lives are "decided" by men's words and actions. All of us are complex beings who have both strengths and weaknesses. I'm thinking of writing a children's story with a wonderful female character in it.
I hope every child can grow up free from gender stereotypes, exploring how they want to live. Everyone has a right to live as oneself, regardless of their gender.
Kim Sun-ae (blog.naver.com/dancinglf) wrote "Old Potato, New Potato" and translated "Little Lord Fauntleroy."
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From literary works to advertisements, women are generally depicted as similar images. Even in literary works that should present various figures, the women are often described only as a "mother" or a "sexual object." In many advertisements, movies, plays and novels, women are sexually objectified. This way, a culture consisting of distorted images of women continues.
However, women can become poets, farmers, politicians, scientists, activists ― anyone. We are citizens of this society and the world, and members of the natural world and the universe. We are all of them and ever-changing. Any single word can't define us. Whether you are a woman, man or identify as of another gender, it's the same.
Therefore, I hope writers create works that show diverse aspects of women, especially positive aspects that have not been shown so far. I want to meet admirable characters in a variety of works who cross the boundaries imposed on them by society.
If we are dissatisfied with existing female and male characters, we can start creating new characters ourselves. We should not just wait until someone else, on behalf of us, presents strong, active women figures whom we want to see.
We need works that show our unconfined selves. Using our imaginations and observations, reason and sensitivity, and abundant abilities including empathy, we can create a culture that recognizes the various sides of both women and men ― for all members of society to be able to see one another as we really are and to respect each other.
My four-year-old nephew once said to me and my sister that only men can become police officers. He seemed to have seen a cartoon with only male police officers in it. Such a program can strengthen gender stereotypes. My sister explained to him, "Women can also be police officers." The media should promote gender equality through unbiased programs.
While reading children's books to my nephew, I also realized again there are a lot of biases in them. Many stories had a similar plot: a man (often a prince) falls in love with a beautiful woman, saves and marries her. Often women's appearances are evaluated. In "Cinderella," for example, Cinderella is depicted as "the most beautiful woman at the ball." After dancing with her, the prince doesn't even ask her, but just decides to marry her.
We need new stories, beyond passive women characters whose lives are "decided" by men's words and actions. All of us are complex beings who have both strengths and weaknesses. I'm thinking of writing a children's story with a wonderful female character in it.
I hope every child can grow up free from gender stereotypes, exploring how they want to live. Everyone has a right to live as oneself, regardless of their gender.
Kim Sun-ae (blog.naver.com/dancinglf) wrote "Old Potato, New Potato" and translated "Little Lord Fauntleroy."
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