Quarterlife LessonsIt's true we exploit stereotypes

By Leslie Bridgers

A staff reporter for the American Journal in Westbrook, she is a graduate of Bowdoin College.

My roommate couldn’t be a bigger proponent for women’s rights. With a bachelor’s degree in sociology and women’s studies from Vassar College, she works five days a week as a health-care associate at Planned Parenthood in Portland. Yet, in her second job as waitress, she said she isn’t above using her body to get what she wants.

“Boobs get better staff meals,” she said about flaunting her female assets to the mostly male kitchen staff in order to score a skirt steak over a salad.

In my job as a reporter, I’ve found myself doing something similar playing into a “ditz” role in order to get people to spend more time talking to me and explaining issues. If I act as though I need their expertise and not just their sound bites they tend to be more willing to give their time and even become more open and trusting of me.

Though I may be able to get the quote I need and my roommate might end up with a more satisfying meal, I can’t help but wonder if our tactics are ultimately advantageous for us. Are we playing the system or just perpetuating stereotypes?

One of my co-workers also admitted to using her looks to expedite her work. She called it “playing the blonde card” taking advantage of the fact that men might be more likely to help her out because of her hair color.

“It’s easier,” she said, “and it’s kind of fun.” However, she justified using her looks before her brains because, she said, she knows she doesn’t have to in order to get what she needs. It’s just a shortcut.

It’s the ownership of the stereotypes that justifies the behavior to us. Though we may be objectified, we’re in control of the situation, which, in the end, doesn’t detract from our perception of ourselves as strong women.

The reality is, there’s still gender inequality in the world. According to the Institute for Women’s Policy research, in 2006, American women made 77 cents to their male counterparts’ dollar, and Maine women, on average, made 75 percent of what men in the state did.

Mostly, my roommate, my co-worker and I all do more in our lives to promote strength in women than to emphasize our bodies or our helplessness or our hair color.

Though my roommate might objectify herself for a better meal one night a week, the rest of the time, she’s supporting women’s right to chose what to do with their bodies.

My co-worker said that what’s even more fun for her than playing up her blonde hair is proving to people she’s smarter than they think. As for me, I feel that even if I act a bit thick in an interview, I always have the opportunity to alter people’s perception of who I am by coming out with a story that’s clear, accurate and interesting. So, until people stop buying in to stereotypes of women, I think using them to our advantage is more of testament to our wiles than it its a sign of weakness.