In society, more often than not, individuals are expected to uphold a certain appearance and image of themselves; men are supposed to act masculine, while women are pressured to act in a feminine manner. These expectations extend to social class systems as well; the rich and upper middle class families are always expected to accomplish greatness, while lower class families are not believed to achieve anything of value in their lifetime. If these societal values are challenged, the offender will be outcasted from society. Which eventually causes individuals to give up on identity formation and conform to societal expectations. Similarly, Karen Ho and Susan Faludi, authors of “Biographies of Hegemony” and “The Naked Citadel”, discuss the formation
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This is illustrated in the Wall Street recruitment process. The recruiter’s main objective is to recruit from Ivy League schools, however, their next most important objective is to recruit “maleness, whiteness, and heteronormativity” ( Ho 167). Wall Street is a man’s world; there is a definite gender hierarchy present and men are on the top of the gender ladder. Just like the rest of society, Wall Street views men as more competent and fit to work in such an intense environment. Males are associated with success, and power; which is the image that is associated with Wall Street. Therefor, they will recruit enough women so no one can claim gender discrimination, but in the end, male is their preference. As a result, this causes males Ivy League students to feel even more pressure to conform and apply to Wall Street. If they do not apply however, they are excluded from their society. They are not looked at the same way nor are people praising them for how successful they will become. As a result, they feel pressured to give up what they want and pursue what their society wants instead. Furthermore, the students at The Citadel are facing a similar societal stereotype. Society views men who enroll in The Citadel as big, tough, strong macho men. However, that is not necessarily the case, Faludi claims, “The day-to-day aspect of being in a military environment is that you run around in a little bit of clothing and you are being judged as to how good a man you are by doing women’s work- pressing pants, sewing, polishing shoes… you are a better man if you have mastery of womanly arts…” (Faludi 102). On the outside, the Cadets conform to the accepted societal views of who they are. They give off the macho man vibe and society survives of of it. However, that is not who these Cadets are, that is not their true identity. Behind closed doors, they have to perform
This is illustrated in the Wall Street recruitment process. The recruiter’s main objective is to recruit from Ivy League schools, however, their next most important objective is to recruit “maleness, whiteness, and heteronormativity” ( Ho 167). Wall Street is a man’s world; there is a definite gender hierarchy present and men are on the top of the gender ladder. Just like the rest of society, Wall Street views men as more competent and fit to work in such an intense environment. Males are associated with success, and power; which is the image that is associated with Wall Street. Therefor, they will recruit enough women so no one can claim gender discrimination, but in the end, male is their preference. As a result, this causes males Ivy League students to feel even more pressure to conform and apply to Wall Street. If they do not apply however, they are excluded from their society. They are not looked at the same way nor are people praising them for how successful they will become. As a result, they feel pressured to give up what they want and pursue what their society wants instead. Furthermore, the students at The Citadel are facing a similar societal stereotype. Society views men who enroll in The Citadel as big, tough, strong macho men. However, that is not necessarily the case, Faludi claims, “The day-to-day aspect of being in a military environment is that you run around in a little bit of clothing and you are being judged as to how good a man you are by doing women’s work- pressing pants, sewing, polishing shoes… you are a better man if you have mastery of womanly arts…” (Faludi 102). On the outside, the Cadets conform to the accepted societal views of who they are. They give off the macho man vibe and society survives of of it. However, that is not who these Cadets are, that is not their true identity. Behind closed doors, they have to perform