In this paper I will discuss how gender is portrayed in the media, define mainstream media, identify the different gender portrayals and then analyze how the different forms of media present today effects our society. I will focus on how mainstream media encourages and reinforces gender discrimination and inequalities on a regular basis. Every day Americans are bombarded with images of how gender should be interpreted and played out within our social environments, so much so, that many people do not even recognize some of the sexist and/or stereotypical images and messages, because it is so common in our lives that we do not even notice it is a problem that needs to be resolved, until we are negatively affected by it in some way. I will
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225). Furthermore, DeFrancisco et al (2014) adds that “media convey these messages in two ways: first, in the message content of the television shows, magazine articles, news items, music, and movies, and second, in the advertisements that surrounds these messages” (p. 225). The media tends to offer exaggerated or stylized portrayals that are often more illustrative that routine displays of gender. In diffusing these images throughout society, mainstream media additionally reproduce gender relations in more extreme and/or stereotypical ways. There is a few key concepts used to portray women in the media, for instance, the woman’s relative size and function ranking is often used to portray people in professional situations, but most importantly it often communicates stereotypical gender roles. For instance, women may be engaged in a relative size and/or functional ranking activity while the man observes them, usually situated in a kitchen, thereby reflecting traditional gender roles. The use of feminine touch often shows women sensually caressing a product, indicating how delicate they both are. The media also subjects women to ritualized subordination that is …show more content…
Woven throughout our daily lives, media insinuate their messages into our consciousness at every turn. All forms of media communicate images of the sexes, many of which perpetuate unrealistic, stereotypical, and limiting perceptions” (p. 31). Additionally, Wood (1994) states that, “women are underrepresented, which falsely implies that men are the cultural standard and women are unimportant or invisible” (p. 31). Oddly enough, I usually see more portrayals of women in mainstream media, then men. Never really noticing the stereotypical gender roles that may have been depicted, unlike now, I am hypervigilant in noticing any stereotypical and/or biased gender roles displayed in mainstream media. As a matter of fact, Wood (1994) mentions that “men and women are portrayed in stereotypical ways that reflect and sustain socially endorsed views of gender. Moreover, depictions of relationships between men and women emphasize traditional roles and normalize violence against women” (p. 31). Is it possible that the lack of women positively portrayed in the media is a direct result of the inadequate amounts of women in charge as writers, media executives, producers, and directors? Of course, that is a main reason. That is why women need to be more aggressive when it comes to their education and career, similar to their male counterparts and
225). Furthermore, DeFrancisco et al (2014) adds that “media convey these messages in two ways: first, in the message content of the television shows, magazine articles, news items, music, and movies, and second, in the advertisements that surrounds these messages” (p. 225). The media tends to offer exaggerated or stylized portrayals that are often more illustrative that routine displays of gender. In diffusing these images throughout society, mainstream media additionally reproduce gender relations in more extreme and/or stereotypical ways. There is a few key concepts used to portray women in the media, for instance, the woman’s relative size and function ranking is often used to portray people in professional situations, but most importantly it often communicates stereotypical gender roles. For instance, women may be engaged in a relative size and/or functional ranking activity while the man observes them, usually situated in a kitchen, thereby reflecting traditional gender roles. The use of feminine touch often shows women sensually caressing a product, indicating how delicate they both are. The media also subjects women to ritualized subordination that is …show more content…
Woven throughout our daily lives, media insinuate their messages into our consciousness at every turn. All forms of media communicate images of the sexes, many of which perpetuate unrealistic, stereotypical, and limiting perceptions” (p. 31). Additionally, Wood (1994) states that, “women are underrepresented, which falsely implies that men are the cultural standard and women are unimportant or invisible” (p. 31). Oddly enough, I usually see more portrayals of women in mainstream media, then men. Never really noticing the stereotypical gender roles that may have been depicted, unlike now, I am hypervigilant in noticing any stereotypical and/or biased gender roles displayed in mainstream media. As a matter of fact, Wood (1994) mentions that “men and women are portrayed in stereotypical ways that reflect and sustain socially endorsed views of gender. Moreover, depictions of relationships between men and women emphasize traditional roles and normalize violence against women” (p. 31). Is it possible that the lack of women positively portrayed in the media is a direct result of the inadequate amounts of women in charge as writers, media executives, producers, and directors? Of course, that is a main reason. That is why women need to be more aggressive when it comes to their education and career, similar to their male counterparts and