Table of Contents
Introduction
For a long time the society has been described as one which is formed in favor of men. Thus, in many social groups males are thought to enjoy much privilege and power than their female counterparts. The affirmative action and women empowerment have helped to bridge the gap between men and women in power or positions of influence. The social configurations that elevated men over women still remain and many women are still under social oppression, not generally from men but from the social norms and practices that give priority to them to dominate over women (Grown, Gupta & Aslihan, 2005).
The program on the television is titled Women and Power. It mainly focuses on showing women who have overcome the social odds in order to break into the sphere that has generally been considered the field of men. It also addresses the issues that women, especially young girls, face when trying to come to the same level as men. The purpose of the program is to serve as an encouragement to young women that despite the present challenges of the society can reach the highest positions. The program addresses the theme of social inequality between men and women by focusing on women empowerment and achievement in various professional areas. This work will analyze the given question within Schaefer’s theories (2007), where he came up with various interactivities to enhance student’s understanding of various conceptsand research findings.
Description and Explanation of the Scene
The scenes in the program include two women: a presenter and an expert in gender issues. The latter is a woman who is dressed nicely and has a mastery of both the language and the issues that affect women. The two are intermittently engaged in a dialogue about the things that women are doing to overcome the social structures which promote inequality in the society. Among the issues that are being discussed are education, health, and politics. The expert is demonstrating pictures of young girls in schools run across the screen. Also, there are pictures of women in maternity wards who are waiting her turn to attend the doctor. One can see that the women on the queue are poor and not getting enough medical attention since only one doctor is present to serve them. There are also moving pictures showing women in offices occupying top positions, probably managerial in big companies across the country.
Observed Nonverbal Communication in the Scenes
The presenter is frowning when the expert demonstrates how women struggle in homes to provide for their family. The expert is also throwing hands for demonstration physical abuse to women by men. The facial expressions range from frown to surprise and sadness. The presenter is also moving in the chair in anguish and disapproval of the gestures that demonstrate laboring. In the video clips that accompany the talk, women look haggard and exhausted from waiting to be served. Their faces are frowned in anguish because they cannot get the medical attention they expected. The women’s physical assault can be traced in the slide where women are running away from their assailants in pain. The girls in school are attentive and visibly curious to listen to their teacher.
Women who are in offices look jovial and excited to receive what looks like reports from their male secretaries. They are smartly dressed and have stern looks that behold their top positions as managers in their companies. A few men in the clips are frowning when they enter an office and find a female manager. Majority are excited and surprised that the person in the office is a woman; perhaps against their expectations. But they seem welcoming of the idea that a woman is finally in a top management position at the company.
Interpretation of the Nonverbal Communication
It is evident that the presenter believes that the contemporary world should shelve social practices and norms that prevent women from rising to top positions. The expert personnel are arguably demonstrate the problems and challenges that women undergo in the society especially from men who think that they are more human and more capable than women. In the health care institution, the women in the queue are unhappy with the services as well as the situation that causes them to become pregnant. Majority of them are still young, probably in their teens and not ready to be mothers. There are no men accompanying them to the hospital, meaning that sometimes they are not married and the pregnancy is illegal.
The girls in schools are demonstrating curiosity and excitement because they have a thirst for education. Probably, they know that this is a golden opportunity they have to make it in life. Women in offices are happy and enthusiastic because they have achieved what the society prohibited them from. They are at the echelon of their career and are striving to be role models to other young women who aspire to achieve even more in their lives. The men who come in the offices and served by women are happy that finally a woman has risen to emancipate herself from the chains of the social inequality.
Summary of Interpretations
While women have gained much achievement in the struggle for social equality, there are still challenges that the majority of them face in everyday life (Tembon & Fort, 2008). A good number of men are coming up to support women empowerment through education and health. Nonetheless, much still needs to be done to attain the desired social equality for women by letting every woman access better health care, better education, and influential positions in companies. The interpretation of this program is important for understanding the gender inequality in the society between men and women in the sense that progress has been made but more still needs to be done (Grown, Gupta & Aslihan, 2005).
Conclusion
The current society is still characterized with social inequality among different genders. A lot has been done in education, health, politics, and work. More men should come up to support the process of women empowerment so the latter can reach the same level as men in all aspects of social life.