Mad Men S1EP1: gender representation

In Mad Men, we are looking at the subject of gender representation and how there is a difference in the way the Men live compared to the Woman. The lives of woman are majorly different as the have to live with the following things:

• sexism 
• objectification 
• lack of respect 
• double standard 
• being mistreated in the work place

Gender representation is how men and woman are typically portrayed in the media e.g films, t.v shows, music videos. Examples of Sexism and being mistreated in the workplace is when new secretary Peggy Olson is spoken down to by fellow colleague of Don Draper, Pete Campbell. Pete gives Peggy the idea that she needs to make a few changes regarding how she dresses when he says to her;

" it wouldn't be a sin for us to see your legs.

And if you pull down your belt a little,

you might look like a woman." 

By Pete saying this, it automatically shows how woman are expected to look a certain way and to fit in with one and other. But, if a Woman's skirt was to be too short, they would be classed as a tramp and if their skirt was to be too long, they would still get judged. Either way woman will always receive judgement if they are out of place.  This quote is able to prove that women have to live with the constant pressure to fit in and look good to avoid any harsh judgement from men. After Pete had made the comment on Peggy's skirt, he then went on to say;

"Hey i'm not done here, i'm working

my way up"

This shows us how woman are treated badly and objectified by the men of the company. It also shows weakness and lower status as Peggy was not able to defend herself and instead had to except the actions of Pete. This also implies to us that woman don't belong in the workplace but the ones who do work their will be mistreated badly by the men because it was allowed and also may have been a way to put woman off working and to instead stay in the kitchen and look after the children. 

further on towards the end of the episode, there was a scene in the strip club. In this scene we were able to see the lack of respect towards woman and also how the strippers were objectified and that their bodies were only for entertainment purposes only. whilst the men were in the strip club, a group of young ladies joined the men and one of the ladies named Wanda went and sat next to pete. Pete thought he could be controlling  and get Wanda to do as he says by grabbing her arm, which she wasn't comfortable with and replied with 

"you're hurting me." 

Petes actions show how most men were likely to treat a woman because they have more power and status over them. most woman would do as they are told, but there are a small number of woman who will try to defend themselves. because there is only a small amount of woman that will do this, it implies woman are afraid to stick up for themselves as they know there will be consequences.

Overall, Mad Men has shown that the lives of woman were dominated by the men and they had very little say in everything. The episode indicated lack of respect and objectification towards woman which tells us that they didn't enjoy their lives as they are constantly judged by men but on the other hand, men could get away with pretty much everything.