MEDIA AND GENDER
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
The author of this research article is Kirti Kasat, currently pursuing BA in Psychology,
Journalism and English from Christ University, Bangalore. She did her schooling from St.
Pauls’ boarding and day school, Kolkata. (kirti.kasat@jpeng.christuniversity.in)
ABSTRACT
The relationship between gender and media is an important and complex area of research,
with implications for a range of social issues, from gender inequality to mental health. This
research article provides an overview of the current state of research on gender and media,
highlighting some of the key findings and trends in this area.
The article begins by discussing the ways in which gender is constructed and represented in
the media. Research has shown that women are often portrayed in stereotypical ways, as
sexual objects or as passive and submissive. Men, on the other hand, are more likely to be
portrayed as strong, dominant, and in control. These gendered representations can have realworld consequences, shaping our attitudes towards gender and reinforcing inequality. The
article also discusses the impact of media on gender identity and body image. For example,
exposure to idealized images of male and female bodies can lead to negative body image and
low self-esteem, particularly among young people.
INTRODUCTION
Gender and media have been the focus of much research over the years, with scholars
exploring the ways in which gender is constructed, represented, and reinforced in the media.
The media plays a significant role in shaping our perceptions of gender, both in terms of how
we see ourselves and how we see others. From advertising to television shows, movies to
music videos, the media offers a constant stream of messages about what it means to be male
or female. This research article will provide an overview of the current state of research on
gender and media, highlighting some of the key findings and trends in this area. As such, this
research article underscores the importance of continued research and initiatives to promote
more positive and inclusive representations of gender in the media, as well as efforts to
increase media literacy and critical thinking skills among media consumers.
METHOD
This survey has been conducted through online mode via google forms. The survey consists
of 10 questions wherein 5 of them are mcqs and the other 5 are subjective. The main
objective of the article is to note the prespectives of people regarding the relation between
gender and media and whether or not media influences the society norms. The case study was
conducted among 30 individuals between the age group of 16 to 25 years old. The main
purpose of selecting this age group is to know how media influences this generation and their
opinion on this issue.
DISCUSSIONS/ FINDINGS
The study of gender and media can be traced back to the 1960s and 70s, when feminist
scholars began to question the ways in which the media perpetuated gender stereotypes and
reinforced patriarchal power structures. Since then, research on this topic has expanded to
include a wide range of media forms, from traditional mass media to social media and
beyond.
One of the most significant findings in this area of research is the way in which gender is
constructed and represented in the media. On conducting a survey, it has been found that 90%
of people think that women are often portrayed in stereotypical ways, as sexual objects or as
passive and submissive. Men, on the other hand, are more likely to be portrayed as strong,
dominant, and in control. In the survey when it was asked about how men are portrayed in
media majority said dominant, muscular and the earning member of the family. These
gendered representations can have real-world consequences, shaping our attitudes towards
gender and reinforcing inequality.
Another important area of research is the impact of media on gender identity and body image.
In the survey, around 75.9% of individuals agreed that exposure to idealized images of male
and female bodies can lead to negative body image and low self-esteem, particularly among
young people. This can also contribute to a range of mental health issues, including eating
disorders and depression. 88.9% agreed that they felt pressure to conform to certain gender
norms or expectations as a result of media exposure and 96.7% feel that media representation
of gender impacts how society views and treats men and women. When asked for the reasons,
many said that media plays a very important role in affecting societal views. Consuming the
social media content, one generates a different view for men or women thinking that it's real.
In recent years, there has also been growing interest in the ways in which social media
platforms like Instagram and Facebook shape our perceptions of gender. This survey shows
that platforms offer new opportunities for self-presentation and identity formation, but they
also come with their own unique challenges and risks, including cyberbullying, online
harassment, and the pressure to present a certain image of oneself. “Social media promotes
gender stereotypes and a lot of times people are bullied and harassed for trying to express
themselves and their gender identities,” said one individual.
Overall, the study emphasizes the need for continued research and advocacy efforts to
address the ways in which gender is portrayed and perceived in media. This includes
promoting diverse and inclusive representations of gender and challenging harmful gender
stereotypes and norms in media content.
LIMITATIONS
Studies on gender and media have used relatively homogenous samples, which may limit the
generalizability of findings. For example, studies include participants from a particular
geographic region or age group, which may not be representative of the broader population.
Many studies on gender and media rely on self-report measures to assess participants'
exposure to media content and attitudes towards gender. However, self-report measures can
be subject to bias and may not accurately capture participants' actual behavior or attitudes.
While many studies on gender and media have explored the experiences of women, there has
been less research on the experiences of other gender minorities, such as non-binary
individuals or transgender individuals. Additionally, there has been limited attention paid to
the ways in which gender intersects with other social identities, such as race, class, or sexual
orientation.
Associations between exposure to media content and attitudes or behaviors related to gender,
it can be difficult to establish causality. Other factors, such as socialization or individual
differences in personality, may also play a role in shaping attitudes and behaviors related to
gender.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, the relationship between gender and media is a complex and important area of
research with wide-ranging implications for society. The media plays a significant role in
shaping our perceptions of gender and reinforcing societal norms and expectations around
gender roles and identity. Research has shown that women are often portrayed in
stereotypical ways as sexual objects or passive, while men are portrayed as strong and
dominant. These representations can have real-world consequences, contributing to gender
inequality and negatively impacting body image and self-esteem, particularly among young
people.
There is still much work to be done to address the negative effects of media on gender
identity and body image. However, progress has been made in understanding the ways in
which gender is constructed and represented in the media. As technology continues to evolve,
it is likely that the relationship between gender and media will continue to change and evolve
as well, highlighting the importance of ongoing research in this area.
Moving forward, it will be important to continue to examine the impact of media on gender
and to develop strategies for promoting more positive and inclusive representations of gender
in the media. This could include initiatives to encourage more diverse representation in
media, as well as efforts to increase media literacy and critical thinking skills among media
consumers. Ultimately, addressing the complex interplay between gender and media will be
crucial for promoting greater gender equality and creating a more just and equitable society.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
I would like to thank my DAS teacher for giving us such an interesting assignment which
made us explore and discuss with others about the current issues. I would also like to thank
everyone who participated in the survey, making it a success.
Declaration: I hereby declare that the content of this research work is my own work
and it has not been not been submitted for any other purpose such as for publication,
for the fulfilment of other course, program, etc.
Survey questions (in the google form)