Theme of The Wife-Beater by Gal Rosenwald Smith
The wife beater undershirt is misnamed because it honors the man who beats his wife and thereby promotes violence against women.
A short synopsis of The Wife-Beater by
Gal Rosenwald Smith
Wifebeater is a defining essay. Smith defines the term wifebeater and opposes it because it devalues women and encourages domestic violence.
In the World Book Dictionary, in the 1970s the term wifebeater comes from the stereotype of a Midwestern man who wears an undershirt and beats his wife. These shirts were very popular in the 1980s.
They were popular with men, women and even children. Worn by all athletes and professionals. Fashion designers popularized shirts and made them available in a variety of colors, sizes, and price points.
Smith presents a violent act statistic of beating his wife. More than 4 million women are victims of domestic violence each year. They are beaten badly by their boyfriends and husbands every year.
Domestic violence occurs in her more than 2 million homes in the United States each year. The median age of domestic abusers is her 31.
Finally, she concluded her essay by stating that masculinity is not the same as violence.
The Wife-Beater long Summary
In this article, the argument the author makes is that of many of the defining arguments that define the term “wifebeater” as both a man who physically abuses his wife and the popular white ribbed underwear.
The author goes on to say that underwear gained cultural significance in the 1950s film A Streetcar Named Desire, and has held a place in the American consciousness ever since.
The wife beater has been given special treatment by fashion icons such as Dolce and Gabbana as acceptable attire under formal and business wear in professional settings are by all accounts a garment with a long history of acceptance, respect and popularity, but why do they share a name with a hated and stigmatized segment of society?
The main question, along with the idea that such offensive names detract from the value of otherwise flattering clothing. This article explores the origin of the name waifu beater and why it comes from a type of undershirt.
The most common explanation is that men who are more likely to beat their wives often wear this type of clothing, hence the name for them. I elaborate on this subject by citing that it may have evolved from the stereotype that class men beat their wives for wearing this type of shirt.
It is said to have been put on shirts by gangsters, gay subcultures and rap music. The author unequivocally believes that a garment that enjoys so much fame and popularity should be given a respectable name that is unlikely to offend a segment of the population.
Important Question and Answer
Why is Smith “upset” by the name “Beater”? Do you think your concerns are justified?
Answer: Smith is annoyed by the name “Beater” because it encourages domestic violence. For some people, there is nothing wrong with a name, and it has nothing to do with violence. But for her, the problem is the name. Because it hurts a woman’s honor and her self-esteem. The women wearing these shirts see nothing to do with this name and domestic violence. But it has a lasting effect, especially on young people.
According to Smith, how does calling a shirt a woman-beater teach women wrong things about men?
According to Smith, a T-shirt called the Wifebeater teaches women the wrong things about men. For her, several articles cite women stating that shirts look good on men with great bodies and make them look “manly”. It supports the concept of masculinity and violence.
How do you think Smith expects the audience to react to his opening speech (“Everybody wears them”)?
It shows the growing popularity of undershirts. Worn by people of all ages, genders and occupations. They like it and think the shirt makes them look good. But for the writer, people don’t think about the impact he has on society. Admitting domestic abuse can have a negative impact on children.