A Universal Double Bind for Women

In class I found it interesting that we never brought up how gender stereotypes differ over the world. Do women in other countries face the same battles as American women? What about women in third world countries, do they deal with gender stereotypes as well? 

In this article, the Faces of Feminism, anthropologist Margaret Mead discovered through studying three different primitive societies  that, "although every society defined certain activities as either male or female, the gender designation of those activities varied from culture to culture. No universal role was either male or female. [...] Nevertheless, there was always gender definition, and one pattern everywhere held true: Whatever men did was more highly valued by the village than whatever women did." Well, talk about being damned no matter what. 

Answering the question of why this happens seems to have stumped the scientific world for years. However, one theory mentioned in the article attributes the reason for males superior status to their physical strength. I believe this is an interesting argument because physical characteristics and differences in our anatomy are the two things that truly separate women and men. Could it be that muscles are what have stood in the way of women being taken seriously? If that's the case, women in America must be getting stronger. I believe that even though women in America may still face difficulties, a lot has changed and new stereotypes are beginning to evolve. "Stepford" wives are becoming a thing of the past and the new norm is becoming "Superwomen." Women are now expected to have careers and a family, sometimes juggling both at the same time. Even single, successful women are no longer smirked at by society, but instead envied for their independent nature. 

I'm not saying that all has changed. Sure, stereotypes of emotional women still exist, but the new independent-rebel woman is rising. We are even teaching this new norm to our children. For instance take a look back at the well-known Disney movie "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs." Snow White was the perfect homemaker. She took care of the dwarfs like a mother would her own children, and in the end, after being poisoned by the witch, she was saved by her prince. 

Now, look at the new Disney Pixar movie "Brave." This is the description of the movie off of IMDB: 

"Determined to make her own path in life, Princess Merida defies a custom that brings chaos to her kingdom. Granted one wish, Merida must rely on her bravery and her archery skills to undo a beastly curse."

Wow. This girl sounds awesome. This girl would not exist 50 years ago. 

I think there are some great things in store for the women of our generation. What do you think? Do you think this says something about today's gender roles?