Gender and the Media Notes

Jennifer
Gender and the Media

Video: “Misrepresentation” * Women are seen as sex objects in movies, music videos, ect. * Socializing boys to being a man means to be powerful * G rated movies women are seen wearing more revealing clothing than R rated movies * More then 20% of teens have sex before the age of 14 * “You don’t have to use your sexuality in order to attain power in the world” * Women have to change their image in order to be “good enough” for television * All observations to the first women anchor were about her physical appearance not what she was broadcasting * Women on the news give the appearance that they work as a cocktail waitress instead of a news anchor. * There’s a lot of pressure today to look your best on television * The more power women gain, the more powerful their backlash * Media treats power and defined by men * The press evaluates how women look instead of what they discuss * Women are described as being more emotional then men which disables women from holding leadership positions since they are seen as “unstable” and “can’t do the job” * “A women in power is seen as a negative thing” * The media has always been in the hands of men * Negative words were always referred to women in the movie

Discussion:

Gender and Power: * Power involves some sort of status * Power involves control over others through influence and resources * Often considered almost synonymous with masculinity * Masculinity may involve giving up cooperation, emotional expression, and empathy, which can lead to unhealthy relationships and problems at work (for both men and women)

Women in Power: * Women in powerful positions are criticized for either being too masculine for a women or too feminine to be a leader * Female leadership tends to go unnoticed * “Double Marginality”: women in positions of power feel alienated

Barriers to Women’s Success: * Women are often steered toward gender-typed occupations * Access discrimination: discriminatory practices in hiring * Men tend to hire men * “Gatekeepers” * Discrimination due to pregnancy or being child-bearing age * Treatment discrimination: * Salary discrimination * “Women’s” jobs are valued less and pay less * Discrimination in promotions- “Glass Ceiling”, “Sticky Floor” and “Glass escalator” * Lack of mentors/role models * Sexual harassment * Being less assertive than men (being assertive makes you a bitch) * How does society perpetuate passivity among women? * Culture of “benevolent sexism” * Men and women are believed to be very different * Women should be protected; women are supposed to be pure and innocent * When women don’t adhere to this role, they are devalued as being masculine * Men should be protectors and providers

What happens to individual women when our gender is “Miss Represented”? * Focus on external body rather than internal abilities and intellectual achievements * Few role models in powerful positions so young girls dreams are limited. New generations continue to be underrepresented in leadership positions * Focus on body may lead to eating disorders, unstable self-esteem, and mental health issues

Cultural Shifts and Gender Representation: * WWII * Television

Separate Spheres: * Public Sphere- Social events; going out into the world * Private Sphere- Home life