Women’s portrayal Flashcards
Women traditionally presented in a limited, stereotypical way in the Media. List five ways.
- Sex Objects – Body shape, male gaze
- Celebrity Culture – Tells girls how they should dress and behave
- In their relationships with men, e.g bosses, husbands, lovers
- Emotional and unpredictable
- Housewife/Domestic role
Are women or men portrayed in a wider range of roles in the Media?
Men presented in a wider range of roles and men’s magazines are seen to reflect the hegemonic masculine identity: through photography, music systems, gadgets, computers, DIY, ‘Top Shelf’ soft-porn magazines are aimed exclusively at men.
Do Radical Feminists argue that the representation of women is patriarchal and exploits women as sexual objects?
Yes.
Radical feminists would argue that the representation of women is patriarchal and exploits women as sexual objects, rather than focusing on women themselves and the qualities they have to offer. They argue that the majority of high-status media corporations are run by men who are reinforcing patriarchal ideals of what a women should looks like, thus serving the ‘male gaze’, but also using women in the search for profit. Men who own the media have complete control in how they represent women and this will continue as long as they profit from it. Despite campaigns against the use of ‘airbrushing’ or digitally altering women’s figures for magazines, the desire to present women in an ideal body shape still occurs.
Do Liberal Feminists note that there are changes in the representation of women in the media?
Liberal feminists do note that there has been some changes in the representation of women within the media, such as they are starting to be seen in higher-status positions, however within children’s television the distinction is clear and this leads to a very stereotypical understanding of men and women’s identity and the associated control, power and prowess associated with it.
