Gender Representation

 Gender in the media is represented as being stereotypical especially in magazines and in the print based media. The use of stereotypes play a key role in representation and creating propaganda for society. On the front page of magazines women are portrayed to be unrealistic, having to have a certain type of body and to look a certain way, and this impacts society in making them believe they have to look like this unattainable image. Women are often portrayed as being sexualised objects and sometimes insignificant in society. We usually see this in magazines by what they are wearing or how the magazine is constructed.

However, as time goes on in the media, especially in magazines the media has adapted to construct a wider realistic view of women. For example, now we are starting to see a variety of women on magazines and on tv and not just one ideal image which shows the progression of media and less misrepresentation of gender. 

 In most TV adverts society is shown that women are typically the ones in the kitchen and are stereo typically expressed as being a housewife, cooking and cleaning. For example, in advertisements when promoting cleaning products, the likelihood of it being promoted by a women is almost always. In this Febreze advert we see the woman looking after the house and making sure her son's room smells nice.

 However, in some video games such as 'Tomb Raider', the portrayal of women challenges the negative stereotypes as the woman is seen to be strong and powerful which is usually how men are expressed to be, not only in games but in society as a whole. The portrayal of women in this game connects with the purpose which is to entertain and sell, therefore the media has specifically constructed this with positive stereotypes to attract more people. The media has spent so long building up an image of gender over the years, women are often associated with beauty and can sometimes be seen as insignificant, but as time has gone on the print media has started to show that women are strong too and have bigger roles to take on. Many representations of women focus on their sexuality and emotions whilst also concentrating on their relationships with their children or romantic partners. 

 

In some areas of the media women have been represented in a positive way and shown to be active rather than passive, as heroes and not victims. For example in the film ‘The Hunger Games’ through the character of Katniss Everdeen who subverts the stereotypical representations of women we see in mainstream media as she is a survivor and a scavenger who is fearless and independent. 

The representation of men in the media is to be powerful, masculine and strong, similarly to women men have the stereotype of having to have a specific type of body and physique. They are expected to show power and be independent through their actions and not reply on others. This kind of stereotypical representation is shown in movies through characters such as James Bond or Indiana Jones. Most TV shows or films will usually have men as the dominant characters and have women as having minor roles. In most cases, especially in films men end up victorious in their leading roles and women usually being rescued by the male characters. David Beckham is a good example of someone who combines the aspects of the instinctual view of men as being strong and having sporting skills whilst also being someone who is interested in fashion and is an active father to his children.

An example of a technical code used in media is the use of colour, this is very important especially in magazines. Most magazines featuring women are constructed to grab your attention and keep you interested in what they are trying to promote or inform you with. Moreover, we frequently see women being objectified and often in a vulnerable light. In print media such as magazines or film posters they use visual codes to convey the genre through the use of colour, fonts and photos.