How Does Media Create Meanings About Gender? Provide Example
How Does Media Create Meanings About Genderb Provide Examples Of
A) How does media create meanings about gender? B) Provide examples of how this is manifested in our everyday lives. C) Provide a link to a commercial/ad that stereotypes gender. Even though it is natural to find humor in some of these portrayals, in what ways is this problematic. Also, consider that sex is a system of classification based on biology and physiology, while gender reflects the cultural meaning that is ascribed to a person’s sex, thus resulting in labels of “masculinity and femininity.” Furthermore, our biology is not distinctively male or female and a significant number of people are born “intersex” with variations in chromosomes or sexual organs. Most biological researchers agree on the estimation that intersex people are about as common as encountering someone with green eyes. It is important to understand that masculinity and femininity are not oppositional, although it seems to be portrayed so in media. In Western society (such as in the U.S. and Western Europe), we typically adhere to certain ideas and values that define masculinity and femininity as we perform the roles. What if the list was different? All of us, in honesty, could reveal that we interchange among the qualities. Take a look at the list and answer the following questions: Masculinity Femininity strength dominance aggression independence empowerment active rational thought production breadwinner subject outdoors technology weakness submission compliance/vulnerability dependence disempowerment passive emotion consumption nurturer object indoors nature Provide answers to the following questions or prompts in your assignment submission. D) How is the list being currently challenged? E) What traits do you have that are typically considered “on the list” of the other sex? F) What examples do you see in your daily life of people challenging the historic list? G) What about examples in media of characters or people challenging the list? H) Finally, do you agree or disagree that gender is socially constructed? Provide evidence that backs your opinion. Support your responses with research from the Learning Resources. Use APA in-text citations where necessary and cite any outside sources.
Paper For Above instruction
The media plays a pivotal role in shaping societal perceptions of gender by constructing meanings that influence how individuals understand masculinity and femininity. These portrayals are often embedded in advertisements, television shows, movies, and social media platforms, which reinforce traditional gender stereotypes or challenge them, thus impacting everyday life. Media's creation of gendered meanings is largely driven by cultural norms, commercial interests, and ideological frameworks that perpetuate certain images and behaviors as characteristic of men and women.
One primary way media creates meanings about gender is through the stereotypical representation of roles and traits associated with masculinity and femininity. For example, men are frequently depicted as strong, dominant, aggressive, and independent, aligning with traditional notions of masculinity. Conversely, women are often portrayed as nurturing, passive, emotional, and submissive, conforming to conventional femininity (Connell, 2005). These stereotypes are not only reinforced through advertising campaigns, such as cleaning products depicting women as caregivers or action movies emphasizing male strength and heroism, but also through television characters who exemplify exaggerated gender traits. This constant reinforcement shapes viewers’ perceptions and internalizations of what it means to be a man or a woman.
In our daily lives, these portrayals manifest subtly yet pervasively. For example, many parents unconsciously encourage their sons to participate in sports and assertiveness, while daughters are guided towards nurturing roles or appearance-based activities. Workplace dynamics may also reflect gender stereotypes; men may be encouraged to pursue leadership roles emphasizing assertiveness, while women might be steered towards caregiving or administrative positions (Eagly & Wood, 2012). These everyday examples demonstrate how deeply media-created ideas about gender influence behaviors, expectations, and self-concepts.
Media not only perpetuates traditional gender stereotypes but also offers opportunities for challenging these norms. A concrete example of gender stereotyping in media is a commercial for household cleaning products that explicitly targets women, depicting them as the primary caretakers responsible for maintaining household cleanliness. An example link is the classic "Mrs. Butterworth" syrup commercials, which often portray women in traditional roles (Zimmerman & West, 1975). Such stereotypes are problematic because they reinforce limiting roles, diminish individual agency, and legitimize inequality. Despite these portrayals, there is a growing recognition of the need to challenge gender binaries; many campaigns now feature diverse representations of gender, emphasizing that traits associated with masculinity and femininity are socially constructed rather than biologically determined.
The problematic nature of gender stereotypes in media extends beyond simple humor or exaggeration. These portrayals can reinforce prejudices, contribute to discrimination, and influence societal expectations, affecting behaviors and opportunities for individuals who do not conform to traditional roles. For example, media portrayals of men as unemotional or dominant discourage emotional expression, which can adversely impact mental health (Messner, 1997). Conversely, women depicted primarily in nurturing or passive roles may face limitations in career advancement or leadership opportunities.
Considering the biological versus cultural distinction, sex as a biological classification does not determine gender—an array of traits and roles ascribed to each gender are culturally constructed and fluid. Intersex individuals, who are born with variations in chromosomes and reproductive organs, exemplify that biological sex is not strictly binary (Blackless et al., 2000). This understanding emphasizes that gender is a social construct shaped and reshaped by cultural norms and media representations.
Current challenges to traditional gender lists include the visibility of transgender and non-binary individuals and the rise of gender-neutral language and policies. These social changes question the rigid dichotomy of masculinity and femininity. Personally, I find that I exhibit traits from both lists; I am assertive and independent like traditional masculinity but also compassionate and nurturing similar to femininity. In daily life, I notice friends and colleagues challenging the list by embracing diverse roles—women leading in business or men engaging in caregiving—breaking away from stereotypical norms. Media also increasingly feature characters who defy conventional gender roles, such as women in combat roles or men in caregiving professions, challenging the stereotypes that have long persisted.
In conclusion, gender is fundamentally a social construct created and reinforced by media and cultural norms. While biological sex provides a physical classification, the traits and roles associated with gender are learned and deeply embedded in societal expectations. Recognizing this distinction encourages a more inclusive understanding of gender where individuals can express themselves freely outside traditional binaries. The media has a powerful influence in both perpetuating and challenging these norms, and ongoing societal shifts suggest a move towards greater fluidity and diversity in gender expression.
References
Blackless, M., Charuvastra, A., Dobbs, D., Levy, B., MacKeown, P., & Lee, E. (2000). How sexually dimorphic are we: Review and synthesis. American Journal of Human Biology, 12(2), 151-176.
Connell, R. W. (2005). Masculinities. University of California Press.
Eagly, A. H., & Wood, W. (2012). Social role theory. In P. van Lange, A. W. Kruglanski, & E. T. Higgins (Eds.), Handbook of theories of social psychology (pp. 458-476). SAGE Publications.
Messner, M. A. (1997). Politics of Masculinities: Men in Movements. Sociology of Sport Journal, 14(3), 350–351.
Zimmerman, D. H., & West, C. (1975). Sex roles, interruptions, and silences in conversation. The Recurrent Patterning of Gender in Media and Society, 1(2), 55-68.