The document discusses several common stereotypes presented in media, including those based on sexuality, class, region, disability, age, gender, and ethnicity. It provides examples of both conforming and non-conforming representations in shows like Glee, Downton Abbey, and Coronation Street. The stereotypes outlined are noted to be overly simplistic portrayals that do not capture the diversity and complexity of these groups in reality.

1. Representations in
Media
Emily Capon

2. These seven representations are based upon characteristics
that have been stereotyped into society by the media and not in
fact realistic or modern.
A stereotype is ‘ A portrayal of people or places through a few
obvious characteristics’

3. Sexuality
Sexuality characteristics
 Homosexual male;
Feminine stance and characteristics including an interest in clothes and hair , Loud
and promiscuous.
 Homosexual female;
Butch, short hair cut, tattoos.
Sexuality is put into different categories of how they are shown by;
 Dress sense
 How they come across to the audience
 Personality
 How they communicate with other people, are they loud/quite? Etc.
 Interests

4. Sexuality
Example 1.
One example of how a homosexual is portrayed in TV Drama is Kurt Hummel
from Glee, Kurt conforms to the Stereotype of a homo-sexual man. This is
portrayed by his costume consisting of over-the-top glittery outfits, caring about
his appearance as well as the tone of his voice and is not afraid to express his
sexuality and is very naive when it comes to typical male interests such as sport
Example 2
Thomas Barrow in Downton Abbey does not conform the stereotype of a typical
gay man. Due to his job of being high up in the housekeeping ranks; he wears a
formal costume and speaks with no exaggerated tone as well as making no
reference to his sexuality. Thomas’ characteristics are determined by the time
period as homosexuality was illegal and seen as abnormal, against humanity
and beliefs. Thomas defies the stereotype a he is represented to be ashamed
of his sexuality and furthermore this shows how the stereotypes have developed
in society, Thomas happens to be gay rather than giving an stereotypical view
upon his character.

5. Class
The hierarchy of social class in the media creates stereotypes and influences our
thoughts of characters because of the way we think as a society. When we see a
character on a TV programme we can assume almost straight away what social
class they are based on appearance. Working/Lower Class – people who work in
basic jobs that don’t require much skill. Jobs such as cleaners, bin men,
plumbers, warehouse men and many ‘blue collar’ jobs. Coronation Street,
EastEnders. Because these jobs don’t require higher education training, people
tend to assume people in these jobs lack intelligence and this leads to thinking
they lack common sense. We make assumptions on peoples behavior based on
their class, when you think of a working classed middle aged man going into a bar
you’d imagine him to stereotypically order a pint of larger rather than something
thought to be sophisticated like a glass of wine. Middle Class – People with 9-5
jobs that are more respected and require advanced higher education such as
teachers. Have the typical ‘house wife and kids’ life, considered to be normal, with
good family values and well behaved. My Family, Outnumbered. Upper Class –
often shown as wealthy, a stereotype is very snobby and posh, tend to look down
on others. Made In Chelsea, Downton Abbey.

6. Regional identity
Regional Identity is identifying a person based on the setting of the film but
also judged on speech, costumes, and the region they are from which can
be shown through accents, costumes, dialogue and makeup. Also can be
linked to social class. Stereotypes shown in television using regional identity
include: Scottish – wear kilts, eat
haggis, play bag pipes, quite aggressive. Welsh – often shown
living in the countryside Irish
– very friendly shown to be like leprechauns, stereotyped to wear green and
live in the countryside.
English – 2 stereotypes are popular, 1 being the posh English person who
eats tea and cucumber sandwiches, the otherbeing rude and drinking
alcohol. Southern – again 2
stereotypes, the posh rich Londoners, and the rural urban Londoners who
are shown to be common, criminalistics lower class people.

7. Disability
People with disabilities in the media are thought to be
incapable to do anything for themselves and are frail people.
They are cast as outsiders, less attractive and different for the
wrong reasons. Its shown in ‘coronation street’ with the
character of ‘Izzy’.One storyline is emphasised where she is
desperate for a child but cannot have one herself so her friends
help her out and has a baby for her. Traditionally in films villains
were given a disability as a sign of weakness and that they are
different. Although society has changed this view it is still
thought that disabilities make people seen like they have a
weakness and are difference and not equal to other able
bodied people.

8. Age
Young people are usually associated with crime and
rebelling against the older generation (the stereotype from
the 80+) The typical outfit which is stereotypical for a
teenager is a hoodie, jeans and trainers. The stereotypes
for older people are things such as rude and snobbish.
Slow, un-active, boring and constantly sleeping. All these
stereotypes are true to a certain extent in some places
within society. However the majority of these are
inaccurate because only a small amount of people fit into
this bracket.

9. Gender
Traditionally, the female stereotypic role is to marry and have
children. She is also to put her family's welfare before her own;
be loving, compassionate, caring, nurturing, and sympathetic;
and find time to be sexy and feel beautiful. The male stereotypic
role is to be the financial provider. He is also to be assertive,
competitive, independent, courageous, and career‐focused; hold
his emotions in check; and always initiate sex, this can be found
in the likes of period drama for example Downton Abbey and Mr
Selfridge

10. Ethnicity
Ethnicity is stereotyped in all ethnic groups. Stereotypically African-
Americans are good at dancing, people of Asian ethnicity are geniuses and
driven to serve their employers well. Furthermore, doing exceedingly well in
academics. People of Hispanic origin do not have a good command over
English and more often than not, are not fluent in the language. Gambling is
one of the favorite pastimes of Native Americans. Typically African-
Americans are good at playing basketball. This stereotype emerges from the
fact that a large percentage of professional players are of African-American
origin. Caucasians are stereotyped into being racist and guilty of a racist
attitude towards people of different ethnicity. Every one who belongs to the
Middle East hates America and is a fundamentalist. This is one of the
stereotypes that was perpetuated further in the wake of the 9/11 attacks.
African-Americans are not very intelligent, tend to be involved in nefarious
activities, and have big lips.