Gender Roles and Media Influence

An Analysis of gendered behavior and the influence of the media

Sep 24, 2009

Aside from a gendered culture, there are messages in the media that play on assumed gender roles. There is a line, however, of when these portrayals become dangerous.

Although men and women are not as different as people think, there are common traits associated with each gender. People tend to accept the stereotypes and roles assigned to each gender because they make us unique and part of a group; thus, fulfilling the human need to belong.

Researcher, Beth Hess, reports that “women were twice as likely to talk about personal issues with their friends” (Kimmel, 262). Also Kimmel (2008) notes that both women and men desire intimacy, however, men are twice as likely to say they prefer “doing an activity” with their male friend, rather than “just talking” (262).

The Homophobic Cloud for Men

Homophobia is the fear of homosexuals and of being seen as gay. Homophobia is “virtually non existent for women” (Kimmel, 2008, 267). Interestingly, men are aware of a homophobic cloud that lingers over them.

I conducted a survey of 20 men and women, and asked the following question: If you visit a male friend who is sitting on the couch, would you a) sit beside him or b) sit on the empty couch across from him? Nine out of ten men said they would sit on the empty couch. All of the women chose to sit on the same couch whether it was a male or a female friend.

Also, men tend to leave more space between them. For example, when girls go out together they stay close, but studies show that men tend to leave a seat open between them at the theatre (Kimmel, 2008, 267). Overall, men and women behave differently due to customs, as appose to biological reasons (West & Zimmerman, 2008, p. 94).

An Analysis of Gender Portrayals in the Media

The reality series, Jon and Kate plus Eight, provided an example when Jon mentioned that Kate never puts gas in the car and she replied, “The men take the trash out and the women do not fill the car with gas…isn’t that normal?” (Sept. 24 2008, TLC, 10:30pm). “Normal”, however, is whatever we have been raised to believe.

The media often uses gender as a tool for comedy. In the T.V. series, How I met Your Mother, one woman explains the psychological damage of her childhood. “I was raised as a boy...and the reason I throw like a girl, dad, is because I am a girl” (Nov. 3rd CBS, 8:00 pm). Issues of gender are humorous because they are real.

The television series, Two and a Half Men is almost completely about gender, and represents women as objects of sexual pleasure for the main character. Even the theme song, “men, men, manly men” foreshadows the overall theme of gender stereotypes. (Aronsohn, Nov. 3, 8:00pm). However, there is danger in the shows portrayal of women.

The Line Between Acceptable and Dangerous Gender Portrayal

Also, a “double standard” is often present. In the television show, 90210, when high school student, Naomi confronts her mother about seeing her father with another woman. The mother replies “I have known for a while, it’s not a big deal, they are just having sex” (Judah, Oct. 6, 8:00pm). This acceptance of male infidelity is a negative influence on the younger generation.

In a documentary titled, “Dream worlds 3”, Sut Jhally confronts the fantasy world presented in music videos. Jhally says “viewing women as an object of desire is not a problem, but in music video’s women are presented as nothing else”. (Jhally, 2007). Jhally includes various news clips of sexual assault that mirrored scenes in music videos.

Although gender is not biological, it is unavoidable. However, the media is not the reason gender differences exist. Parents put a baby girl in pink the moment she is born. The media hyperbolizes issues of gender for entertainment purposes. It is important to consider, however, which gender images are dangerous. The exploitation of females takes entertainment too far, thus portraying a false reality for both sexes.

Aronsohn, L. (Creator). (2005).Two and a Half Men. [Television Series]. CBS: Los

Bays, C. (Creator). (2005). How I Met Your Mother. [Television Series]. CBS: Los

Figure 8 Films. (2007). Jon and Kate Plus Eight. [Reality Television Series]. TLC:

Jhally. S. (writer, director, narrator). (2007). Dreamworld’s 3: Desire, Sex & Power in

The copyright of the article Gender Roles and Media Influence in Gay/Gender Issues is owned by Lane Luft. Permission to republish Gender Roles and Media Influence in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.