Today’s society stereotype of a perfect woman is a smiling woman. Amy Cunningham writes, “To limit a woman to one expression is like editing down an orchestra to one instrument” (193). Cunningham acknowledges her argument in regards to smiling, mixed emotions arise as the experiences differ. She refers to not only scientific study but personal experiences: “But since the average American woman’s smile often has less to do with her actual state of happiness than it does with the social pressure to smile no matter what, her bassline social smile isn’t apt to be a felt expression that engages the eyes like this” (191).While Cunningham concedes that her smile represents her and without a smile she is assumed not to be happy. She goes on to disclose
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The leading cause of women’s smile is not necessarily conveying her natural happiness. Women’s smiles are profoundly influenced by the society, a smile will either show or not show their emotion. Her essay goes over how women are said to be equal and free but actions unquestionably show that men and women are not completely equal in all instances, society still remains to have control over the way women act or react. Cunningham retreats to history, mentioning how women were not always expected to smile. She explains how laughter was once treated as one of the most visible transgressions, looked upon as an act of sin. Cunningham justifies her motive for endeavoring her natural instinct of …show more content…
Our smiles are similar to a disguise, that one smile can represent many emotions for a woman. I use that same smile for different situations, for example: while I step nervously onto a busy road with my head down and eyes glued to my cell phone, I almost get killed by a bus. My fear reaction is a smile, “Wow…I could’ve got killed.” Nearly being hit by a bus may not produce a smile but consider being in a classroom full of students. During my first day of school, we were discussing one of our readings, the teacher stops and asks me to stand and provide my opinion in regards to “Black Men and Public Space”, an essay referencing prejudice within society towards the black community. Almost instantly I present a smile, I’m not happy to share my opinion in relation to such an easily offended subject. I’m actually mortified, but by me smiling I’m conveying the message that it’s my pleasure to be given the opportunity to share my opinion. My smile was easily misinterpreted as happiness rather than nervousness. This is society’s perspective towards a women’s smile, this is society’s smile not
The leading cause of women’s smile is not necessarily conveying her natural happiness. Women’s smiles are profoundly influenced by the society, a smile will either show or not show their emotion. Her essay goes over how women are said to be equal and free but actions unquestionably show that men and women are not completely equal in all instances, society still remains to have control over the way women act or react. Cunningham retreats to history, mentioning how women were not always expected to smile. She explains how laughter was once treated as one of the most visible transgressions, looked upon as an act of sin. Cunningham justifies her motive for endeavoring her natural instinct of …show more content…
Our smiles are similar to a disguise, that one smile can represent many emotions for a woman. I use that same smile for different situations, for example: while I step nervously onto a busy road with my head down and eyes glued to my cell phone, I almost get killed by a bus. My fear reaction is a smile, “Wow…I could’ve got killed.” Nearly being hit by a bus may not produce a smile but consider being in a classroom full of students. During my first day of school, we were discussing one of our readings, the teacher stops and asks me to stand and provide my opinion in regards to “Black Men and Public Space”, an essay referencing prejudice within society towards the black community. Almost instantly I present a smile, I’m not happy to share my opinion in relation to such an easily offended subject. I’m actually mortified, but by me smiling I’m conveying the message that it’s my pleasure to be given the opportunity to share my opinion. My smile was easily misinterpreted as happiness rather than nervousness. This is society’s perspective towards a women’s smile, this is society’s smile not