Topic 4 - Media Representations- Gender, Secuality And Disability

Question 1

What do pluralists believe about stereotyping in media?

Answer 1

Stereotyping occurs because media audiences want to see them and media profits from selling/advertising.

Question 2

How do liberal feminists view media representations?

Answer 2

They see them as a product of the underrepresentation of women in male-dominated media organizations.

Question 3

What is the main concern of Marxist feminists regarding media imagery?

Answer 3

Media imagery of gender is rooted in the need to make profits and attract advertisers.

Question 4

What do radical feminists emphasize about gender representations?

Answer 4

They emphasize that gender representations are driven by patriarchal ideology linked to social class inequality.

Question 5

What do radical feminists believe about media representations of women?

Answer 5

They arise from the necessity to promote and reproduce patriarchy and keep women in stereotyped roles.

Question 6

Fill in the blank: The media world is described as a _______ world.

Answer 6

[man’s]

Question 7

What did the IWMF (International Women’s Media Foundation) find in 2010?

Answer 7

Women are marginalized in media hierarchies and face invisible barriers.

Question 8

According to Mulvey (2009), how are women often viewed in media?

Answer 8

Women are often viewed as objects of physical appearance and sexualization.

Question 9

What is the ‘beauty myth’ as discussed in radical feminist theory?

Answer 9

It refers to the societal pressure on women to conform to beauty standards to satisfy the male gaze.

Question 10

True or False: The media encourages a diverse representation of women.

Answer 10

False

Question 11

What is the impact of patriarchal imagery on working-class women?

Answer 11

It projects a lifestyle they can least afford to participate in, confirming their sense of inadequacy.

Question 12

What is the under-representation of women in the media industry?

Answer 12

Women are under-represented in positions of power and influence in the management of the media industry, and among editors, journalists, and TV producers.

Question 13

What percentage of the British journalism industry is male?

Answer 13

55% of the British journalism industry is male.

Question 14

What did the IWMF survey reveal about women in UK news companies?

Answer 14

The survey found that women were marginalized in newsrooms and decision-making hierarchies, facing a glass ceiling fixed at the junior professional level.

Question 15

What is the Male Gaze?

Answer 15

The Male Gaze refers to the way men look at women as sexual objects, focusing on their physical appearance and sexuality for erotic pleasure.

Question 16

How does Wolf’s discussion relate to the Male Gaze?

Answer 16

Wolf discusses how women are expected to conform to male conceptions of female beauty.

Question 17

What did the Leveson Inquiry report comment about the tabloid press?

Answer 17

The report commented that the tabloid press often failed to show ‘consistent respect for the dignity and equality of women’ and had a tendency to sexualize and demean women.

Question 18

What is patriarchal ideology in the media?

Answer 18

Patriarchal ideology in the media refers to the control mainly by men, presenting a male view of women and femininity in the interests of men.

Question 19

What is the symbolic annihilation of women?

Answer 19

The symbolic annihilation of women involves their invisibility, under-representation, or representation in a limited range of stereotyped roles, as described by Tuchman et al. (1978).

Question 20

What percentage of quoted sources in journalism are men according to the 2023 Women in Journalism report?

Answer 20

Men account for 70% of quoted sources in journalism.

Based on 2022 data.

Question 21

What percentage of experts quoted in news are men?

Answer 21

66% of experts quoted in news are men.

Question 22

What did the Global Media Monitoring Project (2010) find about the representation of men and women in media?

Answer 22

76% of people heard or read about in media were male, while only 24% were female.

Question 23

How are women typically portrayed in news compared to men?

Answer 23

Women are often portrayed as ‘ordinary’ people, while men are more frequently presented as ‘experts’.

Question 24

What is the likelihood of women being identified by their family status in news?

Answer 24

Women are four times more likely to be identified by their family status than men.

Question 25

What did Cumberbatch et al. (2014) find about the representation of older women on TV?

Answer 25

Older women are significantly under-represented on popular TV shows compared to men.

Question 26

What percentage of presenters over 50 on BBC TV are men according to Martinson (2014)?

Answer 26

82% of presenters over 50 on BBC TV are men.

Question 27

What stereotypes did Wolf identify in the media?

Answer 27

The WAG, The Sex Object, The Supermum, The Angel, The Ball Breaker, The Victim.

Question 28

What is the 'Cult of Femininity' as described by Ferguson?

Answer 28

Teenage girls' magazines socialise girls into feminized adult roles, promoting themes of being a good wife/partner.

Question 30

What are transgressive roles in media representations of women?

Answer 30

Transgressive roles suggest that media representations reflect societal changes for women, with a focus on career women since the 1970s and 1980s. Liberal feminists argue that while progress has been made, representations still lag behind social change. ## Footnote McRobbie's studies show magazines depict women as more assertive and ambitious.

Question 31

How has the portrayal of women as sexually powerful changed?

Answer 31

The portrayal of women as passive 'sex objects' has shifted, with women now often depicted as using their sexuality to gain power. This change is debated within feminism, with radical feminists arguing that it masks underlying patriarchy. ## Footnote Gill (2008) suggests that women are more likely to be shown as powerful.

Question 32

What is the focus of media on women's independence?

Answer 32

Media emphasizes independence and aspiration for women, particularly in pop music, with artists like Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, and Lady Gaga promoting women's control over their lives. Research indicates a greater emphasis on young women choosing their own paths. ## Footnote Studies by Gauntlett (2008) and Winship (1987) support this emphasis.

Question 33

What critique does Knight (2010) offer regarding portrayals of women?

Answer 33

Knight (2010) critiques that while portrayals show women as self-sufficient, there remains an underlying conventional femininity, with women still conforming to the male gaze and conventional attractiveness.

Question 34

How are men represented in the media compared to women?

Answer 34

Men are represented in a wider range of roles, often in the public sphere and higher status positions, such as bosses or managers. They are also more frequently featured in voice-overs, reinforcing their status as authority figures. ## Footnote This contrasts with women's representations, which are often more limited.

Question 36

What is hegemonic masculinity according to Connell ?

Answer 36

Hegemonic masculinity is the idea that there is a particular view of masculinity that is dominant in Western culture, characterized by a gender hierarchy where 'real men' are above women and boys aspire to be 'alpha males'.

Question 37

What are the characteristics of the stereotyped hegemonic masculine identity?

Answer 37

The stereotyped hegemonic masculine identity includes being tough, assertive, dominant, and rational, often described as 'the provider, the protector and the impregnator'.

Question 38

What interests are associated with hegemonic masculinity?

Answer 38

Interests associated with hegemonic masculinity include sport, photography, computers, gadgetry, DIY, and various forms of transport such as cars, motor-bikes, aircraft, trains, and boats.

Question 39

What is the crisis of masculinity?

Answer 39

The crisis of masculinity refers to the idea that the precise role for men in society is in crisis or flux, where traditional expectations of men providing for their families are changing.

Question 40

What can replace hegemonic masculinity if it erodes?

Answer 40

If hegemonic masculinity erodes, it can be replaced with toxic masculinity, which emphasizes negative traits such as aggression, violence, misogyny, and homophobia.

Question 41

Can one be masculine without being toxic?

Answer 41

Yes, one can be masculine without being toxic.

Question 43

What are the six media stereotypes of male characters identified by Children Now (1999)?

Answer 43

1) The Joker - uses laughter to avoid seriousness or emotion. 2) The Jock - shows aggression to demonstrate power and strength. 3) The Strong Silent Type - avoids talking about feelings, acts decisively. 4) The Big Shot - economically and socially successful with high status. 5) The Action Hero - strong and aggressive, often violent. 6) The Buffoon - well-intentioned but inept, especially in parenting. ## Footnote These stereotypes reinforce 'masks of masculinity'.

Question 44

How does Gauntlett (2008) view the portrayal of men in media?

Answer 44

Gauntlett suggests that media portrayals of men are changing, offering a wider range of representations of masculinity. ## Footnote This opens up new choices for men to construct identities different from traditional hegemonic masculinity.

Question 45

What new male identities have appeared in the media according to Gauntlett?

Answer 45

New male identities include the Emo Boy, the Metrosexual, and the New Man, who are more caring, sharing, and emotional. ## Footnote These identities are more in touch with their feminine sides.

Question 46

What social expectations does Gauntlett mention in postmodern societies?

Answer 46

Gauntlett states that there are social expectations for women and men to be treated equally. ## Footnote The media are starting to present a wider range of gender identities beyond traditional stereotypes.

Question 47

How has male representation changed in advertising?

Answer 47

There is a transformation of male bodies into sex objects in advertising, similar to how women's bodies have been used. ## Footnote This suggests that factors traditionally affecting women now also affect men.

Question 49

What is the symbolic annihilation of women in media?

Answer 49

Tuchman discussed the concept where women are either stereotyped or absent in mainstream media. ## Footnote This concept is similar to the representation of homosexuality.

Question 50

How is heterosexuality represented in media?

Answer 50

Heterosexuality is portrayed as normal, while homosexuality is depicted as exceptional or unusual. ## Footnote Batchelor notes this distinction in media representation.

Question 51

How has the representation of men's sexuality changed?

Answer 51

Men are increasingly represented as sexual objects, facing scrutiny similar to that experienced by women. ## Footnote McRobbie (1994) discusses the emergence of the 'metrosexual' stereotype.

Question 52

What is a 'metrosexual' man?

Answer 52

A 'metrosexual' is a heterosexual man who embraces his feminine side, is in touch with his feelings, and uses cosmetic products. ## Footnote This stereotype includes having refined tastes in clothing.

Question 53

What was significant about Anna Friel's kiss in Brookside?

Answer 53

It was the first lesbian kiss on UK TV before the watershed, marking a groundbreaking moment in media representation of homosexuality. ## Footnote This event occurred in 1994.

Question 54

How are gay characters represented in TV soaps today?

Answer 54

Most TV soaps now include gay characters, and not all are portrayed in a highly stereotypical manner. ## Footnote This indicates a shift in representation since the 1994 kiss.

Question 55

Who controls the media's representation of homosexuality?

Answer 55

The media is predominantly controlled by middle-class white heterosexual men, influencing the portrayal of homosexuality through a heterosexual lens.