Nowadays, media is an essential need in our daily lives; specifically television. Television continues to be the most influential platform of media. It is a global phenomenon that is still so prevalent to many people across the globe. Statistically, in 2013, Canadians spent approximately 36 hours watching TV per week(Gasher, Skinner, & Lorimer, pg. 3). For these reasons, it is crucial for television to portray positive role models for their audience. Even though the belief of television essentially being sexist is hugely popular, the platform has shaped through the years to become a modern and confident representation of genders. The roles of women and even men in television have shifted to conform to society’s plea to end the stereotypes and
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Women’s roles do not revolve around men’s lives. That the idea that women should be just a minor character or as a prize for the main male character is slowly withering away. Studies suggest the increase of women on television portrayed as working in contrast to the simple housewife on TV shows of the 1960s and 1970s(Elasmar, Hasegawa, & Brain, 1999). Back in the day, television shows such as Bewitched, depicted women choosing to give up their career and independence for the role of wife and mother(Spence, 2011). This fact is not to say that a domestic role in real life is not important; however, women are not to be merely objects used to satisfy their family’s needs. Times have changed and allowed women to be free to have a job and lives outside the four walls of the house. Women are no longer bound by their husband or by their ‘domestic’ duties anymore; women can strive for their career. That female characters can finally pursuit the same livelihood like male characters. Popular shows such as Grey’s Anatomy, portray women who are capable of handling a successful career despite the men in their lives. It was refreshing for the show’s audience when Meredith Grey refused to quit her job to follow her husband across the country. Now women’s needs are finally a priority in television and that women do not cling onto the male character anymore. However, there is still some doubt on whether sexism towards women has stopped dominating prime time TV. Sociologist Stacy Smith led a study that reveals that on primetime television, “for every five men that have careers in science, technology or math-related fields, there is only one female character in such a profession.”(Costanza, 2012). Even though it is a fact that women still have a long way to go before women are rightfully represented the way men are, viewers are no longer watching a woman live for their man. Viewers can get a sense in their
Women’s roles do not revolve around men’s lives. That the idea that women should be just a minor character or as a prize for the main male character is slowly withering away. Studies suggest the increase of women on television portrayed as working in contrast to the simple housewife on TV shows of the 1960s and 1970s(Elasmar, Hasegawa, & Brain, 1999). Back in the day, television shows such as Bewitched, depicted women choosing to give up their career and independence for the role of wife and mother(Spence, 2011). This fact is not to say that a domestic role in real life is not important; however, women are not to be merely objects used to satisfy their family’s needs. Times have changed and allowed women to be free to have a job and lives outside the four walls of the house. Women are no longer bound by their husband or by their ‘domestic’ duties anymore; women can strive for their career. That female characters can finally pursuit the same livelihood like male characters. Popular shows such as Grey’s Anatomy, portray women who are capable of handling a successful career despite the men in their lives. It was refreshing for the show’s audience when Meredith Grey refused to quit her job to follow her husband across the country. Now women’s needs are finally a priority in television and that women do not cling onto the male character anymore. However, there is still some doubt on whether sexism towards women has stopped dominating prime time TV. Sociologist Stacy Smith led a study that reveals that on primetime television, “for every five men that have careers in science, technology or math-related fields, there is only one female character in such a profession.”(Costanza, 2012). Even though it is a fact that women still have a long way to go before women are rightfully represented the way men are, viewers are no longer watching a woman live for their man. Viewers can get a sense in their