Representation of Women in Media
Representation of women in media
Introduction
There are many levels of influence in our society and media plays a major role in dispensing influential images to us. The media comes in many forms, television, radio, newspapers, movies, and advertisements. The media is so intertwined in our lives that we do not truly comprehend on a conscious level how much influence it really has over us. Some of the images and messages we see and hear can be both positive and negative.
Historically, women have been more susceptible to stereotyping and marginalization than men. The history of a woman's 'usefulness' basically began with being a sexual plaything, a mother, and a caretaker. In the history, men saw women as people without a voice, caretakers of the family, or just objects of sexual desire.
While doing my research for the assignment I observed that women are represented in the following manner- * Women are objectified in the media, importance is given to how a women looks and what she does.
Example- a news reporter, more importance is given on to how she looks onscreen rather than the content she is speaking.
* Women and girls are missing, they are not as numerously or as diversely represented as men.
Example- in 90% of the ADs of cars, men are seen driving it and not women.
* Women are represented very narrowly, as wives, girlfriends, mums, preoccupied with dieting and shopping.
Example- in the movie “English Vinglish” Sridevi was depicted as a conservative housewife, whose life was limited to her kids, family and cooking.
* Women's bodies and female sexuality are used to sell products.
Example- Skore condom ADs come with a tag line saying “now SHE will remember you by your color”.
Now I shall discuss in detail how women are represented in the following areas-
* Advertising * Films * Music videos * Television
Advertisements
Advertisements have women selling everything from food to cars. We continue to see
Introduction
There are many levels of influence in our society and media plays a major role in dispensing influential images to us. The media comes in many forms, television, radio, newspapers, movies, and advertisements. The media is so intertwined in our lives that we do not truly comprehend on a conscious level how much influence it really has over us. Some of the images and messages we see and hear can be both positive and negative.
Historically, women have been more susceptible to stereotyping and marginalization than men. The history of a woman's 'usefulness' basically began with being a sexual plaything, a mother, and a caretaker. In the history, men saw women as people without a voice, caretakers of the family, or just objects of sexual desire.
While doing my research for the assignment I observed that women are represented in the following manner- * Women are objectified in the media, importance is given to how a women looks and what she does.
Example- a news reporter, more importance is given on to how she looks onscreen rather than the content she is speaking.
* Women and girls are missing, they are not as numerously or as diversely represented as men.
Example- in 90% of the ADs of cars, men are seen driving it and not women.
* Women are represented very narrowly, as wives, girlfriends, mums, preoccupied with dieting and shopping.
Example- in the movie “English Vinglish” Sridevi was depicted as a conservative housewife, whose life was limited to her kids, family and cooking.
* Women's bodies and female sexuality are used to sell products.
Example- Skore condom ADs come with a tag line saying “now SHE will remember you by your color”.
Now I shall discuss in detail how women are represented in the following areas-
* Advertising * Films * Music videos * Television
Advertisements
Advertisements have women selling everything from food to cars. We continue to see