The Image of Gender Roles Portrayed by the Media - Essay Example

? MEDIA AND GENDER ROLES Media and Gender Roles Introduction This paper will begin with analyzing the image of gender roles portrayed by the media. Women are mostly subject to various unrealistic and conventional perceptions by men in daily lives and media insinuate these messages into our consciousness at every point of our life. Media communicating these images of the sexes are of such stereotypical in nature which are showing limited perceptions of individuals which need to be examined and are discussed in this paper. Furthermore, it has been discussed how women are oppressed through a depiction from a book “Fifty Shades of Grey” and its implication on modern society. Gender Roles As Portrayed by Media Throughout our lives consciously and sub-consciously, we are taught, "gender roles" (sometimes called "sex roles"). This includes a set of socially defined roles and behaviors acceptable in society for either sex. This concept of gender roles can easily be observed in the media. For example, a series of commercials by La Quinta Inns and Suites featured men who performed exceedingly well in their respective businesses after staying at the company’s suites and then satisfy their expectant wives by “bringing home the beacon” (Blumenfeld 2013). Media plays its part in emphasizing what traits or manly and what traits are not. Men are hardly shown engaged in house work. Men are not expected to have softer sides. They are promoted as being aggressive, independent and tough. Movies like “Die Hard”, “Expendables” and “Rambo” portray men that are the ultimate stereotypes of masculinity (Wood 2011). On the other hand, typically female characters are not shown in leadership roles and are portrayed as weak willed. They are portrayed as “damsels in distress” waiting for the male character to save them one-way or the other. They are also portrayed as objects for affection, selling the idea by wearing sexy or suggestive clothes, being partially nude etc. (David 2008). The same report also women are most likely to work genres such as romantic comedies, dramas or documentaries. When a woman is involved with directing or writing, there were more female characters on screen. In general, the study found that female characters in media are more likely to be portrayed as “sexy”. Media is also conveying such messages through such magazines, which are directing women to construct their identities and also adopt as per the lifestyle of role models, which are presented through online boards in the form of images and different celebrities. These are exhibited in such a manner, which project women to be known more as a form of sexuality. Sadly, women are seen on coverage in any sports event or field, which does not show women constituting sensuality. Hence, these are seen as exploitation of women as viewed by feminists who are basically the advocates to protect rights of women through a mass media. “Women” As the subject of Feminism Most of the feminism revolves around the notion that women should have equal opportunities while establishing social roles. They also address and examine the construction of sex and gender issues and protect them against violent behavior in the society. A woman can be focused as a subject of feminism when a discussion is made which analyzes all the constraints which are causing its representation of its functions. The irony of the situation is that women themselves do not provide or symbolize themselves as an identity of feminist traits this identity is necessary which should have a representation specially in politics. Also, while one is talking about identity it can either based on two things, sex or gender. Sex, here is taken as a biological symbol and gender as a cultural trait. Hence in order to have study of feminism both things are necessary in its construction. There is a need to preserve the identities and play an important role in politics and other visionary aspects of feminism. In the society in which we live, have many gender biased individuals so, it is necessary to be conscious of one’s gender role and take initiatives in discouraging such behaviors, which provide disruption between works due to differences which are sought because of gender roles. The prejudices, which women face in the society, are also driven by our ignorance to address these issues. If we become aware of these issues and make commitments, some justice can be brought in the society. Moreover, a feminist cannot be completely relied upon to address these issues on their own as the differences are vast. While focusing on our identities assuming that women are subjects, and they are not an object this gender biasness can be somewhat controlled by constituting gender identity without having the illusion of culturally influenced acts and biasness (Butler 1990). Oppression of Women Oppression is a word, which is commonly used for individuals who are imposing themselves in order to limit their behavior or restrain them to give their opinion free on anything by intimidation and insensitivity. This term is commonly used for women in our society, and they are considered to be a weaker. Media has a role in promoting oppressive attributes in individuals and is predicted as one of the dangerous behaviors which give rise to human suffering. However, oppression in a wider scope can be used as a word, which expresses how people generally judge by oppressive remarks and associate them with a taboo when they are committing behavior, which tends to be disapproved by them. This kind of oppression is experienced by every individual and is very common in our society. A woman, for example, whether she is a heterosexual or not can be subject to oppression. She will always get remarks on her behavior in the form of criticism and will also face embarrassment in various forms. Rather than getting empathy, this kind of harassment may result in a biased attitude by the people she considers close, like her own family or close friends. There is no way out as people are always passing their judgment at others actions if one is a heterosexual, lesbian, loyal to any ethnicity or minority group and even how a person carries himself is put into a category, which is shaped by these people who are posing these oppressive behaviors. Hence, the life style of such a person is as if he is caged and he is immobile and would only be able to work in a direction where they are made. These aspects can be unavoidable. Women in our society are subjects of oppression, and it is through media which may have a role in influencing people that women are mostly chaperoned by men, where ever they move and whatever they do, has to be guided by them giving a firm message that women do not have feelings of their own and their needs and interests are not as important as a man’s. Such gestures, which are so biased and offensive, are imitating behaviors, which are mostly carried out by masters to their servants. Therefore, there is a need to provide an understanding about women and their significance on society. This perception that women should not be oppressed should be addressed openly so that they can aspire to generate positive implications in the society (Frye 1983). “Fifty Shades of Grey” and implication on Society The book Fifty Shades of Grey is an erotic tale interpreting how a woman, Anastasia is oppressed by Christian having such behavior traits that show that she was an introvert and a woman with low self-esteem. She was also having other issues as her father and a friend who is more of a bully abandoned her. The character of the story depicts how she is sexually inclined towards the only man in her life, who uses her to satisfy his sexual needs. The back drop of this story is that the women in our society should be submissive, and it can be perceived negatively through this book and can be taken it as a piece of idealism in terms of sexual orientation towards men like the character in the book, Christian. This character Christian depicts oppression of women by the behavior elements, which are shown in the plot. He constantly tells her she is his as if she a sexual object and even after the wedding vows he claims that she is now under his control. This shows that how women are viewed in general. He does not take value of Anastasia as an independent person and only wants her to obey him in whatever circumstances she is. This oppression is much evident in the book, which portrays verbal and emotional abuse and submission to his constant desires. Anastasia on the other is portrayed as a submissive woman who indulges in various sexual acts just to satisfy him and bears with him because she feels she is supposedly more inclined towards to fulfilling all her obligations and duties in pleasing him. The only reason she was staying with Christian all this time because had no sense of self worth for herself and only thinks she is beautiful when Christian tells her that. This is an alarming part of the book. When in the second book Christian contacts him again and she feels that she cannot live without him. Insecurities and desperation of losing her compels Christian to marry her. The news that she was pregnant also makes him angry, and the reaction, which is being depicted in the book shows that a woman should be able to face all these torments as long as she is getting sexually satisfied shows how this concept is irrational and dangerous to the society. The cultural and traditional gender roles implicated through this book show that the feminists and progressive thinkers still have to work to strengthen the ties between relationships and abuse, which is found in the book should be regarded as dangerous, and they should not be part of healthy relationships. This book should not a part of any culture (Purcell 2013). Foucault’s Theory of Repression At the time of Victorian regime, men and women were not made aware of the sexual activities openly. There was no sex education in schools and every individual cautiously refrains to carry out any acts of temptations till the time they got married. So according to Michael Foucault, this kind of sexual repression is mostly present is radical feminism and gives rise to repression in the society. People are then more inclined towards hidden sexual acts. Foucault discusses issues of sexual repression in the society. These issues are argumentative as people generally enjoyed sex; at one time, if it was not polite to talk about the subject in the public, but they still visited prostitutes and had mistresses, there were homosexuals, and these aspects of prevision was against the law. The only difference was how these people portrayed themselves in the society, how they were supposed to be and what activities they were actually involve in. Women were mostly frigid, with little or no inclination towards sex or they were insatiable when they used to sell themselves in order to get something in return. This gives rise to an underlying power, which lies in those people who exercise control over the situation through their sexualities that inhibit elements of power and pleasure on themselves while monitoring these behaviors as well. Hence, the modern society is mostly perverse containing all these attributes, and they are shown in how individuals are behaving (Foucault 1977). After the 19th century, there came a concept of ‘confession’ which was a technique through which individuals were supposed to confess the truth related to such incidents, which were concerned a perverse in the society. Through this technique, most of the incidents relating to fornication were reported and the authority that required this confession established and order to him, which supposedly restrained him to commit such errors again while giving a promise of salvation from its effects. However, Foucault argued that through this activity the number non-monogamous sexualities increased and multiplied rather than being eliminated. His argument is based on a fact that in the society we live in, sexuality is not just driven as a means to have a family life; it is a source of enjoyment. This is something, which has always happened in our society, and there is no point of hiding these elements or conveying them through a medium of “confession” where there is an examination of truth in order to repress those activities. Such techniques will never provide salvation and such obscure activities shall remain in most societies today (Foucault 1977). Conclusion The crux of this study is that pleasure is always linked with the power, which gives more excitement when they are linked together in a person to exercise control over a person. These behavior traits are present in our society and there is a need to stay focus and address these issues to have a better understanding on gender biasness and its implication on society. The book, “Fifty Shades of Grey” depicts a character Christian keeps his control over Anastasia to experience an incitement over her submissive nature hence, gives rise to the perverse features in the society which still exists today. The media is liable to be held responsible in having a control over our lives. Studies show that teenagers spend somewhere between 9-12 hours each day absorbing media. These include songs, movies, Internet, magazines, and books. It is highly implausible that women would look to excel and pursue careers and break the negative stereotypes when the media continues to promote such behaviors. Media is one of the promoters of gender biasness towards women. But with time it can also be used to reverse the trend. BIBLIOGRAPHY Wilkinson, T.J., G.Z Peng, Brouthers, L.E., and Beamish P.W. "The diminishing effect of cultural distance on subsidiary control." Journal of International management Vol 14, No 2, 2008: 93-207. Wood, Julia T. Gendered Lives. Boston: Cengage Learning, 2011. Adler, Nancy J. International Dimensions of Organizational Behavior. Mason: Engage Learning, 2008. Butler, Judith. Gender Trouble: Feminism and The Subversion of Identity. New York: Routledge, 1990. Barlett, Christopher, and Sumantra Ghoshal. Managing Across Borders. London: Random House, 2012. Bjorkman, A, and R Piekkari. "Language and foreign subsidiary control: An empirical test." 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