Thursday, 6 November 2014

Representation of Gender & Stereotypes

"Sex" refers to the biological and physiological characteristics that define men and women
"Gender" refers to the socially constructed roles, behaviors, activities and attributes that a given society considers appropriate for men and women.

Representation of Men
Masculinity is a concept that is made up of more rigid stereotypes than femininity.
Representation of men across all media ted to focus on the following:
  • Strength- physical and intellectual
  • Power
  • Sexual attractiveness (which may be based on the above)
  • Physique
  • Independence (of thought, action, finances) 
Male characters are often represented as isolated, this is because they do not need to rely on others
If they submit to being part of a family, it is often part of the resolution of a narrative, rather than an integral factor in the initial balance. 

Representation of Women
Representation of women across all media tend to highlight the following:
  • Beauty (within narrow conventions)
  • Size/physique (again, within narrow conventions)
  • Sexuality (as expressed by the above)
  • Emotional (As opposed to intellectual) dealings
  • Relationships (as opposed to independence/freedom
Key Words
"Misogyny"- the hatred or dislike of girls and/or women- sexual discrimination of women, violence against women and sexual objectification of women.
"Misandry"- the hatred or dislike of boys and/or men- sexual discrimination of men, violence against women and sexual objectification of men.

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