Stereotypes In Film

Women have graced our silver screens since the roaring 20s with countless characters and decade defining performances. Film is one of the most impactful medias of all time; filling our worlds with unthinkable thoughts, inconceivable worlds and generally taking us away from the harsh realities of daily life, Giving us a great escape to the stuff of dreams. However, beyond the glittering lights and propaganda, women face inequality in the film industry; both in general, both in unrealistic beauty standards and lack of females in the industry. Since the first flicker of film, women have been second class superstars.
Women in the film industry are constantly faced with the social pressure of appearing beautiful, when will the film industry accept
How often do we see a movie with a female character that is independent and strong? From the very start of childhood, we are fed these gender stereotypical roles through child targeted movies. They seem innocent but in the shadows these films enforce these stereotypical roles which completely plague these barely formed brains. These ideas which are formed in early childhood completely alter our expectations of films. Women are constantly put into these roles which are ultra-feminine and define the stereotypical ideas of females. Our ideas of what actresses should and should not do are formed in early childhood as children become used to this unequal treatment of women which is unnerving for the future of women in film. Why must women constantly be put into supporting roles and romantic leads? Is this all women are good for? As we are shown this treatment of women from such a young age the idea of an actress being anything other than a romantic lead is discomforting. These statics show that stereotypes we have of genders affect the working life’s of many actors and actresses. Sixty one percent of male characters were identified only by their professional roles, whereas only 34% of females have that kind of designation. In contrast, 58% of females were identified by the roles they assume in their personal lives such as wives or mothers. The idea that women are only go for
When women become actresses they face public scrutiny, lack of voice and gender stereotyped roles. And this is all before they step on set this has a worrying effect on not only the actress but on the public as they view this behaviour to be acceptable. It is saddening as year by year this behaviour is being normalized, The film industry must join to ensure that the future of women is a safe place is one where women are free to be who they are and that the only worrying they face is the how well they will do in their next performance. Hollywood should accept the women with wobbly knees, laughter lines and stories to tell as these are women who have truly lived. We should not send out cookie cutter women as these are the stuff of dreams real women are what we need to add a dash of colour to the characters which have been played out time and time again. And what we need is to upgrade these real women to first class