Exploring the Ways Males and Females are Represented in the Mass Media

Exploring the Ways Males and Females are Represented in the Mass Media

I believe that the representation of males and females in the media is

an interesting and important issue to address as it is evident that

through television especially, females are depicted to be passive,

anonymous sexual objects where as men are portrayed as hard working,

dominant figures of authority within society. In this essay I will

examine the different ways in which both males and females are

represented in all types of media and the ways in which, according to

certain sociologists this affects the way society perceives males and

females to behave and how the younger generation are affected.

With reference to newspapers, society is often concerned about the

media representation of sexual violence against women. Newspapers

often sensationalise the details of rape attacks on women and thus

rape victims are stereotyped as good or bad, therefore deserving or

undeserving. Joan Smith (1989) suggests that the female fear of

violence is used as a basis for many TV shows for example, “The

Shining” which adds to the notion of women as weak and vulnerable

figures within society. In my opinion this cannot send a healthy

message to young people of society if when reading exaggerated stories

of rape accounts and viewing it on TV they are accustomed to the view

that males are aggressive characters whom women live in fear of. This

approach of ‘De-sensitisation’ was adopted by Hilda Himmerlweit (168)

as she suggested that prolonged exposure to programmes portraying

violence may have a ‘drip-drip’ effect such that individuals are

socialised in accepting this ideology.

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...en criticised

for failing to recognise the different social characteristics of

audience members. I believe that although the media is a powerful

influence, most people are intelligent enough to realise that the

media is not a microcosm of society, and reflects a very selective

stance. Therefore I believe that the ‘Selective Filter Model’ presents

a more realistic approach towards the media as I believe that as

Klapper (1960) suggested that selective perception takes place as

different people accept and reject different messages. To conclude, in

general I don’t believe that the media representation of males and

females is perceived by it’s audience to be entirely true as I

certainly don’t accept that women are passive, anonymous figures in

society or the view that males are aggressive and should therefore be

feared.