Images in the Media
& How groups are
represented
Under Representation of Females
In the 1990s, only 39% of characters on
television shows were female
The range of females in television
commercials and movies range from about
20-45%
In a study of 101 G-rated films, 3 out of 4
characters were male (2006)
These trends are also present in children’s
shows, video games, and computer clipart
images
Under Representation of Ethnicity
People of color (especially Latina, Asian
American, and Native American girls and
women) are under represented in television
and commercials
When people of color are featured, they are
often highly stereotyped
What movies can you think of?
Representation of Age & Sexual Orientation
 Older women are extremely under represented in the
media
Women over 50 make up 12% of movie roles
Older women of color are rarely seen
 Lesbians and gay men are also under represented in the
media
Initially they were only seen as psychopaths, suicidal,
unattractive or isolated
This group is becoming more visible as acceptance
as grown in our culture
What kinds of portrayals of lesbians and gay men do
we most commonly see?
Gender Roles in the Media: Women
 Women are commonly portrayed in the family role
(e.g. Homemakers)
 Women are less likely than men to hold powerful
occupations
 There are few portrays of women successfully
combining a career and a family
 Female athletes are rarely shown or their ability is
well underplayed
 These trends can be found in TV shows, movies,
Sunday comics, children’s books, etc.
Gender Roles in the Media: Women
The female communion (personality traits
associated with women such as sympathy,
warmth and concern) stereotype is very
common for women’s portrayal in the media
This area is making progress, though, with
movies like Charlie’s Angels, Kill Bill, and TV
shows like Survivor and Buffy the Vampire
Slayer
Gender Roles in the Media: Women
Women are often defined by their
attractiveness and sexuality
2/3 of ads in women’s fashion magazines and
magazines for teens depict women as sex
objects
Many lyrics to popular music degrades
women with explicit lyrics
White, thin, able-bodied, young women are
most commonly used in the media
Gender Roles in the Media: Women
Gender roles are used to sell products
Sarah Haskins: Target Women
Sarah Haskins is a writer and performer.
http://current.com/shows/infomania/90189
621_sarah-haskins-in-target-women-ladyfriends.htm
Gender Roles in the Media: Men
Men in the media are often times
characterized by agency (concern about
accomplishing tasks)
Common traits for men in the media are
violent, hypermasculine, powerful, athletic,
and sexually assertive
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CWM
Ct35oFY&feature=related
Tough Guise & The Mickey Mouse Monopoly
The Consequences
Research has been done that shows the
media reflects and transmits stereotypes and
they have a socializing effect
Media images emphasize the importance to
females of physical attractiveness and
sexuality
Media images emphasize the importance to
men of physical strength, power and
invulnerability
The Consequences
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mmy2IH
Yq_y8&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=epOg1n
WJ4T8&feature=related
Recommendations
Women’s Studies classes
 Tough Guise (can be found on YouTube)
 Mickey Mouse Monopoly (can be found on
YouTube)
 Etaugh, Claire A., and Judith S. Bridges. Women's Lives: A Psychological
Exploration. 2nd ed. Boston: Allyn & Bacon, 2006. 28-51. Print.
 Newton, Sanjay, writ. Sexism, Strength and Dominance. YouTube, 2007. Web. 18 May
2010. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CWMCt35oFY&feature=related>.
 Onslaught. YouTube, 2007. Web. 18 May 2010.
<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=epOg1nWJ4T8&feature=related>.
 Sarah Haskins in Target Women. Narr. Sarah Haskins. 2009. Web. 18 May 2010.
<http://current.com/shows/infomania/90189621_sarah-haskins- intarget-women-lady-friends.htm>.
 Tough Guise. Narr. Jackson Katz. YouTube, 2006. Web. 18 May 2010.
<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mmy2IHYq_y8>.