3. Representation of Gender
Females are typically seen to be the weaker gender in comparison to the male
species, this is not only portrayed in the media but is a world wide phenomenon
shown in the laws of certain countries.
In magazines such as GQ, ‘international monthly men’s mgazine’ run by Editor in
Chief, Jim Nelson the covers present the two different gender types in a
stereotypical manor. In the pictures shown Ryan Renolds is dressed in smart attire
which is to draw in an audience of young males who see celebrities on the cover as
an inspirational figure. Mila Kunis however, is shown in minimal clothing and what is
to be a sexual attire, this being so to draw in men by having desirable women on the
cover.
In films such as ‘Little man’ women are portrayed to be more sensitive and caring in
certain situations where the man would typically be masculine and the breadwinner
in any relationship and in their life style.
4. Representation of Ethnicity
• Representation of ethnicity:
• Ethnicity is the term often understood to be synonymous with race.
Ethnicity, covers someone's heritage, culture, religion and culture.
• Different ethnicities are portrayed differently in the media for example, the
increasing percentage of unemployment rates by English people is being
blamed on 'foreigners' stealing peoples jobs instead of English young
people being lazy and rather living on benefits instead of working hard for
a living. For example one of the headlines on the daily mail was 'they've
stolen our jobs' and on the daily express they claimed 'Bombers are all
spongeing asylum seekers.'
• Minority ethnic groups tend to be stereotyped by the media and the
dominant ethnic groups and the stereotypes tend to be negative claiming
all characters of a certain ethnic group are 'all the same.'
• The media never portrays anyone from a minority ethnic group as a lead
role in any TV series or films, in England, the protagonist in films and TV
series tends to be white males.
• The media tends to portray minority groups in a negative way based on
some truth, they portray young black males or young males from rough
backgrounds as thugs and that they all carry knives and wear hoods. They
also show any Muslims or Asians as terrorists. Even though there are many
criminals of the dominant ideology, the media does not portray them as
the same way.
5. Representation of Age
• Importance of Age: we really only experience the age we currently are, therefore we
don’t experience life at an older age but we have experienced things at a younger age,
we have now forgotten what we were watching or in the news 12 years ago. Showing
how things change over time for the different ages from Disney to watching the News.
Representation of the Young: the way young people are represented in the media is largely
negative, the common stereotype include being yobbish and antisocial behavior including
drinking and drug abuse. Many things challenge the stereotype such as teenagers who gain
early entry into universities and contests e.g. Junior Apprentice.
On the other hand soap opera’s mainly show very troubled teenager’s whose behavior
places them with authority or in tricky situations.
e.g. The children in outnumbered are portrayed as irritating. They act their age, like a
sterotype.
• Representation of the Old: refining the old is problematic as to a 12 year old, a person
of 30 will seem old whereas to a 70 year old, the same 30 year old would seem young
and full of life. We get mixed messages from the media which make it hard for the old
to be defined. It seems like many old actor’s change due to cosmetic surgery, this leads
people to believe that aging doesn’t happen when you’re a celebrity.
E.g. Dot Cotton is one of the most iconic representations on Eastenders of the elderly
generation.She also is a christian and most people who believe in God are of a mature age
and the faith in youth is declining.
6. Representation of Race
Race, ethnicity and colour, are made up of inherited characteristics and surroundings
whilst
Representation of race in the media can consist of the same sort of rigid stereotypes
that, of which can affect all citizens. However, stereotyping against race is seen as
more harmful and offensive than stereotyping against gender and age.
Racial stereotypes are often based on social myth and upbringing. However, the
media say, for example; Native American Indians, might provide a child with a set of
narrow and prejudices way of thinking which in time will affect their opinion when
grown up.
In the media race is portrayed as a big deal. Celebrities within magazines tend to be
White, Middle classed men which are viewed high on the Demographic Scale.
Example:
Richard Dyer examined what people thought of the word ‘white’ his responded
were..
· Whiteness defines normality; anyone who wasn’t white is therefore seen as
being different
· Power and Privilege is the domain of the white population
7. Representations of Disability
The media continue to enforce disability stereotypes portraying disabled individuals in a negative un-empowering way.
In his 1991 study, Paul Hunt identified 10 stereotypes that the media use to portray disabled people:
The disabled person as pitiable or pathetic
An object of curiosity or violence
Sinister or evil
The super cripple
As atmosphere
Laughable
His/her own worst enemy
As a burden
As Non-sexual
Being unable to participate in daily life
However in the media today, disabled people are getting more positive recognition then before. Brands such as Next have
used disabled kids to model their clothing. Also since the 2012 Olympics, a lot more disabled athletes have been seen as
role models to many others, disabled or not.
Netflix series American Horror Story gives disabled actors/actresses to embrace their differences. The youngest star on the
show Jamie Brewer was first acknowledged in season one, however in season five her importance and use had increased.
Relating back to season five, the whole 12 series is based upon a ‘Freak Show’ in the 1900s. This whole season showed a
variety of different disabled men and women.
Sealboy is played by the actor Mat Fraser. Mat Fraser was born with phocomelia of both arms, due to his mother being
prescribed thalidomide during her pregnancy. Mat Fraser is an example that his disability can be used positively.
