pottrayal of women in media

8/8/2019 Pottrayal of Women in Media

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By

10-VC-115


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Introduction

Women and Media

a. Accessibility of mass media to women

Types of media

a . Print

b. Film and Television

Conclusion


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ACCESSIBILTY OF MEDIA TO WOMEN

The relationship between the media and about 51% of our population is a

two way traffic- the access of women to the media or the lack of it, and

the cognizanceby the media of women orther absence of it.

The presence of women in media both in terms of numbers, whether

absolute or in comparison with men, and their status in terms of the

position they occupy is strongly influenced by the scene, not of their

choice, but on account of the social and religious taboos which

operated as legal sanctions, and even today operate as such, in many

regions and communities, the constitution and laws not withstanding.

Even in those regions and communities where the social and religious

taboos can no longer be enforced poverty, illiteracy, discrimination and

male domination keep a vast majority of women away from the printmedia even as readers.

As regards the electronic media, even where the community radio and

television are available, either they are crowded out by the men, or on

accountof social inhibitions, women are unable to view or listen.

Media has therefore largely come to be confined to the women in the

middle and the higher classes, whether in the rural or urban areas, and

more particularly in the urban areas- whether as passive consumers oras active players.


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PRINT MEDIA

The print media which include newspapers, periodicals, newsletters

and other channels are relied upon by the people as credible

source of information, education and entertainment. The print

media are known for fearless criticism and service.

NEWSPAPERS

The lack of gender sensitivity in the media is evidenced in the failure to

eliminategender-basedstereotyping.

Generally, the media do not provide a balanced portrayal of women's

diverse lives and their contributions to society in a changing world,often reinforcing stereotyped images of women and their roles in

society.

It is a common Practice additionally to assess the professional

success of a woman through questions and Claims about her

related tobeing a good mother and a wife.

This is exactly the type of writing in the media that undermines the

efforts of activists, who aim to establish gender equality in all

areasof society.


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Image of Women in Magazines

Media can be utilized for projecting the true and positive image of women and to wipe out her traditional

passive image that has been imprinted on the mind of the society as a whole, including the women.

The potentiality of media as a powerful instrument of social change has first to be used to restore

50% of the humanity to its proper pedestal. Change has to be brought about not only in the status of

women but in the attitude of the society towards them. Priority has therefore necessarily to be given

to changing image of women, from a passive onlooker and recipient, to that of a positive doer and

achiever.

The print also provides the syllabus and step-by-step instructions which help to socialize their readers

into the various ages and stages of the demanding but rewarding state of womanhood. They still

define norms for what their followers should think, say, do, wear, cook, read, explore, ignore or care

about. The medium is still a message in itself and that message continues to be thatwomen are

uniquely different; they require separate treatment and instruction in ways that men do not. The printsmould the opinion, thinking and the attitudes of the women as at times the position of women

portrayedin articlesand stories is similar to their position in the society.


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Film and Media

Most women in the media are very driven and determined individuals.

Most are well educated and have perfected their craft.

Most of the women in the media have had to overcome some type of workplace adversity.

like they r they pulling power nd

using female body as an art and not valuing them

just makeing an erotic appeal and tempting audience

using females as a toool...they r portrayal as a toool to attracct audience

and they are the puppet for the movie


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Many would agree that some strides have been made in how the media portray women in film,

television and magazines, and that the last 20 years has also seen a growth in the presence and

influence of women in media behind the scenes. Nevertheless, female stereotypes continue to thrive in

the media we consume every day.

This section of the site provides a snapshot of the issues around the medias portrayal of women andgirlsfrom effects on body image and self-identity to ramifications in sports and politics. It looks at the

economic interests behind the objectification and eroticization of females by the media as well as

efforts to counter negative stereotyping. And it provides the latest articles and studies that explore the

ways in which media both limit and empower women and girls in society.


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THE WIDESPREADIMPACT OF DISTORTED PORTRAYALS

What impact does this kind of distortion have on the position of women in society and

their development?

The impact is different at different levels:

1 . The perpetuation of inequalities in the home-

Statistics says that women and girls are more undernourished and uncared for than men and boys.

Our media provides the necessary ideology for this to the society.

2 . Creating a distorted self-image-

Media does not only influence the social image of women but also their self-image. Most women are

themselves uncritical consumers of anti-women media. Media affects their socialization process, it

influences their choices regarding what they consume and wear, how they behave, what they learn,

and to what they ultimately become.

Media is therefore not only helped women and society to redefine their own and men's roles; it has also

ignored, even trivialized whatever attempts women have made to redefine their roles, to createalternative behaviour patterns and life styles. By doing so media has clearly discouraged the

emergenceof a new woman, a new man and a new relationship between them.


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3. Reinforcing biases in development plans-

It has been already stated, media reinforces the conservative view of women and ignores their

economic participation and contribution, especially that of rural women, over 50% of whom are

directly involved in economic activities, in addition to housework and childcare. All this means that

media, instead ofchallenging the view thatwomen are inferior, subservient, unimportant, reinforcesit and itestablishes man as the active force, the doer, the one who matters. The needs andconcerns,

the problems they face are not articulated publicly, no public thinking and debates are initiated on

their realconcerns. Because theirconcerns and interests remainunarticulated in the print, women

also remainneglected.

There is indeed a 'symbolic annihilation' the consequence of a combination of condemnation,

trivialization and absence as far as communication support to women's developments in India is

concerned. Mass mediahave asocialresponsibility topromote well being ofwomen inparticular.


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CONCLUSION

The portrayal of woman in the print media is quite degrading more often than not depicting her ascommercial commodity. It is necessary that public should be motivated and sensitized to the issue of

criminalization, politicization, and commercialization of women vis--vis their projection in the mediain a healthy manner.

Information in the print reinforces the stereotype and traditional roles of women in society. In order toenhance the status and position of women in society the information/ messages should portray womenin career oriented, lead roles and in a holistic image, which is truly representative of Indian culture andethos. Media is an issue is related to all women's issues and it affects not only urban women but allwomen and all men. By reinforcing sex stereotypes and constantly glorifying motherhood and sub-servient wifehood the print media makes it difficult for women to break out of these prescribed roles,

norms and behaviour patterns. Such conservative depictions reduce the few statements about sexequality and equal participationof women contained in the Constitutionto mere window dressing.

The status of women has not improved noticeably despite the government's and the media's claimaboutsocial justice towards women. What is needed is a wider change in the social outlook.Clearly, themedia does not provide a balanced picture of women's diverse lives and contributionsto society in achanging world. Much remains to be done with regard to the "participation, portrayal and access ofwomen to the media and its impact on and use as an instrument for the advancement andempowerment of women". What our country needs in the present context are minimum regulation andmoreenablement.


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THANK YOUTHANK YOU1010 -- VCVC 115115

pottrayal of women in media

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