🚻Intro to Gender Studies Unit 13 – Gender in Media: Portrayal & Subversion

Key Concepts and Theories

• Gender representation refers to how gender roles, identities, and characteristics are portrayed and constructed in various forms of media
• Stereotypes are oversimplified, generalized beliefs about a particular group of people that are often exaggerated and inaccurate (gender stereotypes, racial stereotypes)
• Objectification occurs when a person is treated as an object for another's sexual pleasure, often through visual representation or narrative framing
  • Women are frequently objectified in media through the male gaze, which presents women as sexual objects for the pleasure of heterosexual male viewers
• Intersectionality examines how various social identities (gender, race, class, sexuality) intersect and create unique experiences of privilege and oppression
• Hegemonic masculinity is the dominant, idealized form of masculinity in a given society that subordinates other expressions of masculinity and femininity
• Queer theory challenges binary notions of gender and sexuality, emphasizing the fluidity and social construction of these identities
• Media literacy involves critically analyzing and evaluating media messages to understand their underlying assumptions, biases, and power dynamics

Historical Context of Gender in Media

• Early Hollywood films (1930s-1950s) often depicted traditional gender roles with women as passive, domestic figures and men as active, dominant protagonists
• The Hays Code (1930-1968) censored "immoral" content in films, reinforcing conservative gender norms and limiting diverse representations
• Second-wave feminism (1960s-1980s) criticized media's portrayal of women and advocated for more diverse, empowering representations
• The male gaze, a concept coined by Laura Mulvey in 1975, describes how cinema is often structured around the heterosexual male perspective, objectifying female characters
• Gay and lesbian activism (1970s-1990s) challenged media's negative stereotypes and pushed for more accurate, positive LGBTQ+ representation
• Postfeminism (1990s-2000s) emphasized individual empowerment and choice, but often in ways that reinforced traditional gender roles and consumerism
• The #MeToo movement (2017-present) has led to increased scrutiny of media's role in perpetuating sexual harassment and assault, as well as calls for greater diversity and inclusion in the industry

Gender Stereotypes in Popular Culture

• Women are often portrayed as emotionally unstable, irrational, and dependent on men for validation and support
• Men are frequently depicted as emotionally stoic, aggressive, and dominant, with an emphasis on physical strength and sexual prowess
• Gender stereotypes are reinforced through character tropes (the "dumb blonde," the "macho man") and narrative arcs that reward conformity to traditional gender roles
• Advertising relies heavily on gender stereotypes to market products, often presenting women as sexualized objects and men as powerful, successful figures
• Children's media (toys, cartoons) often promotes rigid gender roles and expectations, such as the association of pink with femininity and blue with masculinity
• News media tends to focus on women's appearance and personal lives, while presenting men as authoritative experts on serious topics
• Video games have historically catered to a presumed straight male audience, featuring hypersexualized female characters and hypermasculine male protagonists

Representation of Women in Film and TV

• The Bechdel Test, created by Alison Bechdel in 1985, evaluates whether a film features at least two named female characters who talk to each other about something other than a man
  • Many popular films fail this basic test of female representation, indicating the marginalization of women's stories and perspectives
• Women are underrepresented in lead roles, often playing secondary or supporting characters to male protagonists
• Female characters are more likely to be defined by their relationships to men (as wives, mothers, love interests) rather than having their own independent arcs
• Women, especially women of color, are more likely to be cast in stereotypical or minor roles (the "sassy black friend," the "exotic love interest")
• Female characters are often subjected to gratuitous sexualization and objectification, with an emphasis on their physical appearance over their depth and complexity
• Older women are largely absent from media representation, reflecting ageist beauty standards and the devaluation of women's experiences
• Behind the scenes, women are underrepresented in key creative roles (directors, writers, producers), limiting the range of stories and perspectives being told

Masculinity and Male Portrayal

• Hegemonic masculinity is often associated with traits such as dominance, aggression, emotional stoicism, and heterosexuality
• Male characters who deviate from traditional masculine norms (by expressing vulnerability, engaging in traditionally feminine activities) are often ridiculed or marginalized
• Action films and superhero movies frequently glorify hypermasculine violence and physical strength as the solution to problems
• "Bromances" and male bonding are often prioritized over heterosexual romantic relationships, reinforcing the centrality of male experiences
• Fatherhood is often depicted as secondary to men's professional or heroic identities, with limited exploration of men's roles as nurturers and caregivers
• Men of color are often stereotyped as aggressive, criminal, or hypersexual, perpetuating harmful racist tropes
• LGBTQ+ male characters have historically been depicted as effeminate, predatory, or tragic figures, rather than fully realized individuals

LGBTQ+ Representation and Visibility

• LGBTQ+ characters have been largely absent or marginalized in mainstream media, reflecting societal stigma and discrimination
• Queer-coding, or the subtextual suggestion of LGBTQ+ identity through stereotypes and innuendo, has been used to signal queerness without explicit representation
  • Villains are often queer-coded, associating queerness with deviance and moral corruption (effeminate Disney villains, predatory lesbian vampires)
• Gay and lesbian characters have often been depicted as tragic figures doomed to unhappiness or death, reinforcing the notion that queerness is incompatible with a fulfilling life
• Bisexual and transgender characters are even more underrepresented and misrepresented in media, often portrayed as confused, deceptive, or mentally unstable
• LGBTQ+ characters are often defined solely by their sexual orientation or gender identity, lacking the depth and complexity afforded to straight, cisgender characters
• Positive LGBTQ+ representation has increased in recent years, but often in limited or stereotypical ways (the "gay best friend," the "coming out" story)
• Intersectional LGBTQ+ identities (queer people of color, disabled queer people) are still largely invisible in mainstream media representation

Subverting Gender Norms in Media

• Some media creators intentionally challenge and subvert traditional gender norms through their work, offering alternative visions of gender and sexuality
• Strong female characters challenge stereotypes of feminine weakness and passivity, demonstrating physical and emotional resilience (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, The Hunger Games)
• Male characters who express vulnerability, empathy, and non-violent problem-solving subvert expectations of toxic masculinity (Steven Universe, The Lord of the Rings)
• Non-binary and gender non-conforming characters challenge the gender binary and explore the diversity of gender expression (Pose, Billions)
• Queer romance and families normalize LGBTQ+ relationships and challenge heteronormative assumptions about love and kinship (Modern Family, The Fosters)
• Feminist and queer media criticism provides frameworks for analyzing and challenging gender representation, advocating for more diverse and inclusive storytelling
• Social media and online platforms have allowed marginalized voices to create and share their own subversive representations, bypassing traditional gatekeepers

Impact and Future Directions

• Media representation has real-world impacts on how people perceive and treat marginalized groups, shaping societal attitudes and behaviors
• Negative stereotypes and lack of representation can contribute to discrimination, violence, and internalized oppression for marginalized communities
• Positive, diverse representation can promote empathy, understanding, and social change, challenging prejudice and broadening cultural perspectives
• Media literacy education is crucial for helping individuals critically analyze and resist harmful media messages about gender and identity
• Increasing diversity and inclusion behind the scenes (in writing rooms, director's chairs, executive suites) is essential for transforming gender representation on screen
• Marginalized communities must have opportunities to tell their own stories and control their own narratives, rather than being represented through dominant lenses
• As media landscapes evolve, it is important to continue pushing for more expansive, nuanced, and intersectional representations of gender in all its diversity
• By subverting gender norms and promoting social justice, media can play a powerful role in creating a more equitable and inclusive society for people of all genders and identities