Undoubtedly, in today’s society mass media has integrated itself as one of the staples in the lives of people. Due to its influence to people, it has helped shaped the norms practiced and known by society. It is unfair to say that media has no positive impact to the world. However, it can not be argued that it has reinforced a number of societal issues. One of the issues includes Gender and the continuing promulgation of stereotypes. With the use of media many gender stereotypes are implanted in the minds of people. It has helped in the dictation of what is expected for every girl and boy. In this line, media has influenced people to believe that in order to be accepted in society, one must follow a predisposed path.
People are always reminded to love and be proud of their own skins. But ironically, magazines, movies, commercials and other media outlets are constantly bombarding people with messages and images of an ideal beauty. In the presentation by Gikey (2014) despite women receiving their dream ‘cover girl’ make-over, they did not like the end result. It is hard to generalize what could have prompted these women to distaste their transformation despite wanting it in the beginning. But the tremendous change in how they looked may have caused them to question if the woman before the make-over is the same one who is now being flashed in the camera.
Women and True Beauty
Women, most of the time play victim to the ideal beauty flashed in media. Based on the typical media advertisements, women are slender with perfect skins and faces. But does this image really define a true woman? This erroneous representation forces young men and women to desperately achieve something that is not meant to be them. Eating disorders, for example, are one of the most commonly associated with people’s desire to achieve the perfect body. People starve themselves just to that they can attain that ‘vogue’ model-worthy body. Many times, young people see aids containing models and are given the message that these people are beautiful and adored by people. As a result, women forces themselves restrict their food intake, and thus, reinforcing cases of eating disorders.
The Male Image
Of course, stereotyping is not only dominant in women; they are also seen in males. Many males fall victims to pressure and expectations to the point that they pushes them to their emotional limit. One of the most common stereotypes present in males is that they are allowed to show emotions. Crying, for example, is a form of weakness. As a result of their repressed emotions, males are said to be more prone to committing violence and worse, suicide. The outlets males turn to reflect their desperate plea for emotional release. Most of the times, society forgets that males are humans too and they also have emotions. They should be allowed to cry when they want to and not be looked down when they do.
Since males are not expected to show emotions, they are given the wrong message that they should portray a dominant and unmoved persona. They are taught to believe that they are superior to women and that they can do whatever they want. Looking at the rationale, it is not the males’ fault that they result to violence, it is the way society has programmed them. Unnecessary violence, for example, erupts from males because they feel the need to defend their egos and prides. If they venture in activities not typical for males, they will immediately be labelled as ‘soft’.
It is difficult to combat stereotypes in gender especially since it has embedded itself deep into the culture and norms of society. It is even more difficult today since media is reinforcing them. The bottom line is that everyone is victim to this cycle of expectations. Both males and females are deprived of self-expression because of fear that they will not be accepted in society. To say that is unfair is an understatement to describe how it feels to be boxed inside expectation. Despite the efforts of many people to break these stereotypes, there are still means to promulgate wrong messages to the public. To say that one gender is more of the victim is wrong. In reality, both genders are victim of repression, pressure and expectation.
The call to break these stereotypes has been constantly growing. Many groups believe that the true solution to gender equality is breaking societal expectations from males and females. They should be free to choose what and who they want to became. They are not computers programmed to be something, instead are humans who are given the free will. They should be free to exercise their choices.
References
4 Ladies get the 'cover model' makeover of their dreams And then hate the results. (n.d.). Upworthy. Retrieved February 22, 2014, from http://www.upworthy.com/4-ladies-get-the-cover-model-makeover-of-their-dreams-and-then-hate-the-results-11113?c=reccon1
Clinton, C., & Steyer., J. (1970, January 1). Is the internet hurting children?. CNN. Retrieved February 22, 2014, from http://www.cnn.com/2012/05/21/opinion/clinton-steyer-internet-kids/
Little boys learn a lot from watching 'Star Wars,' and it isn't all good. (n.d.). Upworthy. Retrieved February 22, 2014, from http://www.upworthy.com/little-boys-learn-a-lot-from-watching-star-wars-and-it-isnt-all-good
Miss representation. (n.d.). Miss Representation. Retrieved February 21, 2014, from http://therepresentationproject.org/films/miss-representation/
Rewrite the story. (n.d.). The Representation Project. Retrieved February 22, 2014, from http://therepresentationproject.org/films/the-mask-you-live-in/
Rowan, C. (2013, May 29). The impact of technology on the developing child. The Huffington Post. Retrieved February 19, 2014, from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/cris-rowan/technology-children-negative-impact_b_3343245.html
Suddath, C. (2013, December 19). Pantene's anti-sexism shampoo commercial comes to the U.S.. Bloomberg Business Week. Retrieved February 22, 2014, from http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-12-19/pantenes-anti-sexism-shampoo-commercial-comes-to-america
The mask you live in. (n.d.). The Representation Project. Retrieved February 22, 2014, from http://therepresentationproject.org/films/the-mask-you-live-in/
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