Mad Men

I recently began to watch the TV show Mad Men, because so many people have told me how amazing it is. It has been on my instant queue for months, and I finally watched several episodes this week. I must say it is so interesting how the writers of the show do not shy away from the stereotypes of the era. Many times women are sexually harassed at the workplace, although it wouldn't be called such today, and very few times are there consequences. Rather than firmly taking a stance against a topic, the makers simply create a world that existed and let the viewers decide if it is better or worse than today.

In the second half of season one, secretary Peggy Olsen is given opportunities to write ads for products marketed toward women. For her first assignment, she hits it out of the park but is not given a promotion or raise. When she proves herself once again and demands a raise, Don Draper says she's "acting like a man" and gives her $5 extra a week. Apparently, to act like a man is to stand up for yourself and be assertive. However, in the 1950's when the ideas of masculinity and femininity are extremely polarized, Draper's statement is an accurate one. I am interested to see how Olsen continues her upward climb in a world where women have never been more than secretaries.