I’ve heard a lot of talk recently from scholars that gender is a socially constructed entity.  Society expects women to be soft and submissive and pleasing to the eye.  On the other hand, men are supposed to be strong, rugged and take charge kind of people.  These constructions are extremes and as such are subject to criticism and gender blending.  However, what bugs me is that somehow, even we claim to be a country that is open-minded and accepting of all types of people, we still expect women to be Barbies.  By that I mean, we’re expected to have perfect bodies, perfect jobs and perfect children.  I see why the Stepford Wives was so scary.  As a woman, I can honestly say that I do not have any of the aforementioned perfects.  I like things that are typically ascribed to men.  I like scary movies, violent movies and beer and chili.  I will argue football all day long.  I don’t see why everyone has to be pigeon-holed into rigid gender constructions.  I feel like Armstrong is pointing this out in her LW adaptation.  The feminist message comes through loud and clear.  Jo goes with Bhaer to the Think Tank meeting and says that men have the right to vote because they are human beings and that women should have the right for the same reason.  Marmee’s speech with Meg, Laurie and Mr. Brooke has a real weight to it.  She wants more for her girls than just to get their M.R.S. degrees (Thomas Neuhauser).  Gender in Armstrong’s version is very fluid in its dialogue as well as its scene selections.  I don’t if Armstrong is a feminist or just wants to highlight the ridiculousness of societal gender constructions.