watch me grow

for my production, i intended to create a set of 5 pairs of photos (10 images in total) that explore the theme of boys will be boys vs. girls will be girls. (note: i won’t be posting all 5 of the pairs because i feel one of them does not do the other pairs justice due to the way it turn out following some great issues.)

the first pair of photos from my media production

in this pair, i wanted to address the behaviour of catcalling or street harassment. i believe this was important to include because harassers often try to pass off their inappropriate comments as compliments. for example, a guy may call out to a girl saying she has a nice body; while he may believe that he is just paying her a compliment, this behaviour can make the girl feel exposed and insecure about herself.

the second pair for my year 12 media production

in this pair, i wanted to look at the behaviour of ‘manspreading’. this is often seen on public transport; a guy will sit in his seat with his knees apart and take up the same amount of space as two or even three people sitting with their knees together would. this behaviour is often a subconscious assertion of dominance, hence why it is mostly seen in men. women are encouraged to take up as little space as possible, sitting with their knees together, legs crossed, and right to the edge of their seats. this creates a stance that allows others to perceive women as less dominant in social situations.

the fourth pair for my year 12 media production

for this pair, i wanted to address proposing. following tradition, the man always proposes to the woman, and this is how it has been for hundreds of years. if a woman has the confidence to do so and proposes to her male partner, especially in public, the reaction will be more of a negative surprise than the usual elation. societal reaction would consist of thoughts like, “wait, what is she doing? can she do that? oh my god, she’s actually doing that!”. this opposition to tradition creates confusion and negative reaction within society.

artist @jasminedowling on instagram