Do women prove stereotypes as incorrect?

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Do women prove stereotypes as incorrect? Although one might argue that women have made many advances in society, today in the media, women still often play lesser roles than those of men. They are usually represented as sexual objects or secondary characters that the male lead must either save or win over in the movie. In contrast, in the television series Alias, the female lead Sydney Bristow was depicted as being strong both physically and emotionally. She had to deal with the considerable emotional trauma she had experienced over the years and the changes involved in being a spy on a daily basis. Sydney was highly skilled in hand to hand combat and was also a linguist being able to speak many languages while undercover. Even though she wore revealing clothing, this technique often allowed her to fool men who thought she was of no threat to them because of her sexy appearance. Sydney Bristow served as a strong and self-sufficient female character in an arena that usually lacks them. Despite the occasional positive examples of women in roles that defy stereotype, too often they are forced to adhere to stereotypes or are even ridiculed for failing to adhere to stereotype. An example of this is the catch-22 that Hillary Clinton, the first serious female contender for the U.S. presidency, faces. She has been criticized for lacking feminine qualities; however, if she did display stereotypical feminine traits, she would be accused of lacking the strength and composure required for the job of president. Generally, we associate women with jobs such as nurses, secretaries, and maids. These kinds of jobs most people would consider as a caring and supportive jobs that are fitting to the stereotypical feminine nature. Occasionally, when women are given the position of power in a male-dominated field such as politics or business, they are often

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