Bigotry+and+Stereotypes+-+Media+Portrayal+of+Gender+Roles


 * Stereotyping, according to Webster, is a widely held, but fixed and oversimplified image or idea of a particular type of person or thing, which means a general assumption about a group of people. For example sex sells, the typical image that comes to mind is blond, thin, blue- eyed, and tan, pretty women. What a stretch from the truth, the average women in the U.S. is 5' 3 and weighs 152 pounds. These stereotypes aware people of their imperfections. Stereotypes are all around us and no matter how callous they might be, advertisers use them, who can blame them if you want to sell your product then get someone who can show you results and someone who looks perfect. Not only are the stereotypes superficial, but are unfair to both men and women. The common stereotype of men is that they're emotionless and typically as shows like Family Guy and Simpsons portray, bad parents, that are egotistic and self-absorbed. This is especially hard for women. It may also effect their self-esteem because of the stereotypes formed and presented by the media about how each sex should look, for example men are suppose to be muscular, smart, lazy, selfish, and athletic. While women are stereotyped as being thin, pretty, romantic, dependent, and emotional. Notice a lot of the stereotype have to do with their appearance unlike men.**


 * Stereotyping occurs in almost all media, whether it is in television, magazines, radios or even in movies. Since it is everywhere it effects everyone including children. Children probably watch the most television; they actually watch about 2,000 hours of television each year on average. The exposure children get from stereotyping is all around them, and influences their growing minds and tells them what each genders job is in our society. Girls and boys alike have adapted to the stereotypes and on television when women give the news, children are so affected that most likely a girl will believe a male weathermen rather than a female. When a child see the commercials where men are the ones in suits and ties with a job and women advertising domestic products such as products that have to do with cleaning after children or cooking, they may get discouraged about what they are able to do when they grow up. Stereotypes, which children learn as they grow up every day, and everywhere. Eventually the ideas will become stick figures and everyone will abide by these. What do these stereotypes do, they bolster gender roles and specific place in society that the media makes acceptable.**
 * People and companies have done something about this issue, for example Dove a company often advertising hand lotion and body as well have created a campaign with women of all different figures and ethic backgrounds to prove women are not shown correctly in other advertisements. Currently, sitcoms and other television genres are becoming more privy to the ideas they represent, but yet society still causes a problem. And like the famous Margaret Mead says, “this society will never know what it can be because there is always something stopping it from what it might be.”**

[|img440.imageshack.us/img440/2300/desperatehousewivesmq6.jpg] Sorbo Clearly applies to women because of the people advertising it. This Reinforces the stereotype women are most fitted in the kitchen.

Desperate House Wives represents the opinion of women in the media skinny, emotional, and dependent. [|gothamgazette.com/graphics/women_jobs.jpg]

Chandler, Daniel. "Gender and TV Production." Television and Gender Roles. 5 May 2003. Aberystwyth. 4 May 2007 <[|http://www.aber.ac.uk/media/Modules/TF33120/gendertv.html#C>.]

Cassell, Carol A. "Sexuality." World Book Online Reference Center. 2007. Yarmouth, ME. 7 May 2007.

Feldman, Lorele. Views and Consequences of gender Stereotyping. January 17, 2002. Boston: Beacon Press. May 15, 2000. www. unc.edu

Knanz, Rachel. Straight Talk about Prejudice. New York: Elizabeth A. Ryan, 1992.

“Media, Gender and Identity”. Gender views. July 2002. Gender and Identity. www. theoryhead.com


 * Nancy Pelosi** by Ben Johnson


 * Margaret Mead** by Kyle Groves


 * Barbara Walters** By Nate Briggs