studying representation: gender lo: to explore gender stereotypes to understand how these...

Studying Representation:GenderLO: To explore gender stereotypes To understand how these stereotypes are used within media

Stereotypes

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• Negative

• Females

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Feminine Representation

•Representations of women across all media tend to highlight the following:

• beauty (within narrow conventions)• size/physique (again, within narrow

conventions)• sexuality (as expressed by the

above)• emotional (as opposed to intellectual)

dealings• relationships (as opposed to

independence/freedom)

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Feminine Representation

•Women are often represented as being part of a context (family, friends, colleagues) and working/thinking as part of a team.

•They tend to take the role of helper or object, passive rather than active.

•They are often victims •Men are still represented on TV drama characters up to 3 times more frequently than women.

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Feminine Representation

•The representations of women that do make it onto the screen do tend to be stereotypical, in terms of conforming to societal expectations, and characters who do not fit into the mould tend to be seen as dangerous and deviant.

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Masculine Representation• 'Masculinity' is a concept that is made up of more rigid stereotypes than femininity.

•Male characters are often represented as isolated, as not needing to rely on others.

•Representations of men across all media tend to focus on the following:

• Strength - physical and intellectual• Power• Sexual attractiveness (which may be based on

the above)• Physique• Independence (of thought, action)

Learned Behaviour• As we grow up, we ‘learn’ what is expected in terms

of our gender identity from a range of sources: parents, school, books, the media, peer pressure…

• The power to conform is so strong in us that we tend to copy the gender models we see. Thus, by the time we have started school, most of us have “learnt” how to be masculine or feminine as our culture defines it.

• Think about the way girls are often dressed in pink and bought “domesticating” toys like dolls and play ovens and toy vacuum cleaners, whereas boys are usually dressed in blues and non-pastel colours and given toys like guns and construction sets and cars, developing skills that are outside the domestic sphere.

Traditional stereotypes

• Traditionally men have held power in our society – this system where men have power and control in society is called patriarchy.

Male Representation

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6j8U-BpZ5hQ&list=RD6j8U-BpZ5hQ&index=1

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8lxGGx0R04&list=RD6j8U-BpZ5hQ&index=2

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnPOm-tEohs

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZiFWpQxHaM

Female Representation• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWBKXud7LwY&list=RD6j

8U-BpZ5hQ&index=25

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWBKXud7LwY&list=RD6j8U-BpZ5hQ&index=25

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRV-2_Un-kk&list=RD6j8U-BpZ5hQ&index=17

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtYGd7kYErQ&list=RD6j8U-BpZ5hQ&index=16

More Modern Ideologies about Gender

From the 1960s onwards, feminism challenged patriarchy, seeking to gain equality for women. They gained increased respect, opportunities and legislation for women, giving them the chance to step into what had once been men’s shoes...Suddenly gender roles were less rigid and defined and this is often reflected in newer media representations

Suddenly it wasn’t unusual for women to:

•Have a serious career

•Wear trousers

•Smoke, drink and swear

•Play football

•Downplay the domestic goddess role

Roles that had previously been traditionally allocated to men.

‘How the media failed women 2013’

A word of caution…

Double Standards?

Role Reversal

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SrpARP_M0o

Media Representation

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8gz-jxjCmg

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ap2xnMcvpw

Challenging Learned Behaviour and Stereotypes

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjJQBjWYDTs

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hc45-ptHMxo

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVv-kmX6UOQ

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jue_JlxnPGM

Studying Representation:GenderLO: To identify and comment on use/effect of editing, camera shots, mise-en-scene and sound in the clipsTo discuss whether gender stereotypes are reinforced or opposed

The Media

• Masculinity was often represented in ways that were shown to be superior to feminine qualities. Men were often shown to be more important and powerful than women.

• Women were often shown in roles that suited men and which kept them from challenging men for power.

• In other words, the media showed men and women how men wanted them to be!

• Two of the most common traditional roles women were represented in under patriarchy were the happy housewife and the sex object/Glamorous Ideal.

• However, it is interesting to note that soap operas usually have strong feminine roles/ weak male roles. Why?

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MASCULINE GENRES•Dominant males•Subservient females•Masculine ‘action’•Lack of emotion• ‘Serious’ storylines•Romance controlled•Patriarchal ideology (narrative closure)•Male heroes•Sole characters or characters with one/two side kicks

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FEMININE GENRES

•Female interaction•Males as ‘partners’•Relationship issues•Emotive storylines•Shared feminine identity•Narrative openness•Confirmation of patriarchal ideology•Female ensemble dramas

Primeval

• Watch the ‘Primeval’ clip twice and comment on how gender is represented in this clip.

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooROzkPMHfo

Sample Essay

• Have a look at the sample essay, taken from an exam script.

• What is good about this essay?

Use this structure to help you in your own analysis.

Game of Thrones

• Watch the ‘Game of Thrones’ clip twice and comment on how gender is represented in this clip.

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQJRVSaR_vY

Homework EssayDiscuss the representation of Gender in the Game of Thrones clip.Refer to the following:• Camera shots, editing, sound and mise-en-

scene.