gender and the media
Gender stereotypes portrayed in the media have a strong influence on how men and women behave, but they also have considerable influence on our understandings of gender expression. It's important to keep in mind that biological sex (male/female) is different from a person's gender expression, which refers to the way that individuals demonstrate the gender with which they identify. For example, assuming that they are fully clothed, how do you know whether someone is a man or a woman? Chances are you look at the clothes they're wearing, how they style their hair, whether or not they're wearing makeup, and so on. These signs usually tell you whether someone is a man or woman, but they don't necessarily tell you whether they are male or female.
This is a relatively new and very complex concept that can be difficult to wrap your head around, especially when the expectations of gender seem to be changing all the time. The reason that this changes is because gender is a cultural construct, which is defined as the characteristics and signs that societies attach to certain ideas. Stereotypes and cultural constructs are kind of like a cycle in which one continuously informs the other. In the case of the media, these two concepts work together to tell us how men and women are supposed to appear and conduct themselves.
This is best illustrated in the many current reality shows about fashion design or models. In many ways, these shows reflect a reality that is heavily informed by stereotypes about feminine and masculine beauty. Despite being unattainable for most people, they reinforce standards for beauty and establish signs and symbols that help viewers interpret gender expression, which they are then likely to apply in the real world.
Resources
This is a relatively new and very complex concept that can be difficult to wrap your head around, especially when the expectations of gender seem to be changing all the time. The reason that this changes is because gender is a cultural construct, which is defined as the characteristics and signs that societies attach to certain ideas. Stereotypes and cultural constructs are kind of like a cycle in which one continuously informs the other. In the case of the media, these two concepts work together to tell us how men and women are supposed to appear and conduct themselves.
This is best illustrated in the many current reality shows about fashion design or models. In many ways, these shows reflect a reality that is heavily informed by stereotypes about feminine and masculine beauty. Despite being unattainable for most people, they reinforce standards for beauty and establish signs and symbols that help viewers interpret gender expression, which they are then likely to apply in the real world.
Resources