women in the media
Portrayal of women in the media
A recent UNESCO report describes the common images of women in the media: “the glamorous sex kitten, the sainted mother, the dishonest witch, the severe corporate and political climber.” The report, states that at the current rate of progress on stereotyping women, it will take another 75 years to achieve gender equality in the media.
Popular magazines: These types of magazines are trying to feature female image with appearance unattainable for average women. They are full with articles about how to catch or how to please a man as a way to success and happiness. Canadian research and advocacy organization, found that women’s magazines are ten times more likely to contain articles and advertisements related to dieting than are men’s magazines, and that three-fourths of women’s magazine covers feature articles about inspecting one’s physical appearance. When the Australian magazine New Woman decided to change the usual procedure and ran pictures of overweight or even normal weight women, they received letters from readers supporting their initiative. However, advertisers reacted negatively, and the program was abandoned.
Television: Most heroes and protagonists, especially in prime time programming, tend to be male.
Studies shows that nearly three-quarters of all female characters in comedies are underweight and those who are overweight are often the subject of comments or jokes about their bodies made by male characters. One study found that 80% of these comments were followed by canned laughter.
The problem is not only the images that are portrayed, but also those that are not. For example, women’s sports receive far less air time than men’s sports on network and cable programming.
Video games: ChildrenNow found that the majority of female characters in video games were scantily dressed and highly sexualized.
Some popular video games even portray, even glorify, violence against women. The Grand Theft Auto series
A recent UNESCO report describes the common images of women in the media: “the glamorous sex kitten, the sainted mother, the dishonest witch, the severe corporate and political climber.” The report, states that at the current rate of progress on stereotyping women, it will take another 75 years to achieve gender equality in the media.
Popular magazines: These types of magazines are trying to feature female image with appearance unattainable for average women. They are full with articles about how to catch or how to please a man as a way to success and happiness. Canadian research and advocacy organization, found that women’s magazines are ten times more likely to contain articles and advertisements related to dieting than are men’s magazines, and that three-fourths of women’s magazine covers feature articles about inspecting one’s physical appearance. When the Australian magazine New Woman decided to change the usual procedure and ran pictures of overweight or even normal weight women, they received letters from readers supporting their initiative. However, advertisers reacted negatively, and the program was abandoned.
Television: Most heroes and protagonists, especially in prime time programming, tend to be male.
Studies shows that nearly three-quarters of all female characters in comedies are underweight and those who are overweight are often the subject of comments or jokes about their bodies made by male characters. One study found that 80% of these comments were followed by canned laughter.
The problem is not only the images that are portrayed, but also those that are not. For example, women’s sports receive far less air time than men’s sports on network and cable programming.
Video games: ChildrenNow found that the majority of female characters in video games were scantily dressed and highly sexualized.
Some popular video games even portray, even glorify, violence against women. The Grand Theft Auto series