Final essay - Media Studies

Emily MOALIC

Emily MOALIC

Introduction to Media Studies

15th January 2024

In today’s society, the influence of media on our socialisation is very important. It cannot be underestimated because as people think about how they were raised as a child until their teenage years, and even still as they are adults, it is obvious that external factors in medias such as television shows and films can shape the understanding of gender roles, even when people try not to get affected by the media. This is a topic that hits close to home for many people, including myself. When I reflect on my own socialisation, I remember that my parents tried their best to protect me from gender stereotypes, but I could never get away from the subtle influence of traditional gender norms that were portrayed in the media during my childhood. In this essay, we will explore the impact of media on our perceptions of gender norms and how media can shape our identities.

Reflecting on my own socialisation, I am reminded of my parents’ efforts to raise me without gender stereotypes. I am aware of the luck it is to have parents thinking this way because for many people, it is not always the case, and their parents raise them with stereotypes. Despite my parents’ intentions, the media still played an important role in shaping my understanding of gender roles and consequently, my gender identity. It is mostly in my childhood that I can remember being affected by the media.

In my early years, I was very interested in animated TV shows, but not in the classic one representing princesses for example. One show that I can remember in particular featured children-dinosaurs that explored their world aboard a train, and they gained a lot of knowledge about dinosaurs doing so. Strikingly, most of the children in the show were female, which can change from what can usually be seen, where it is males that are showed as “smart”. The portrayal of these females gaining knowledge, and especially about dinosaurs, really differed from what can usually be seen. It was also not common for little girls to learn about dinosaurs, which is often seen as a “boy” thing. This show laid the foundation for a belief that I too could pursue knowledge in that field and that I could contribute actively to it, regardless of my gender.

However, gender stereotypes were not completely absent of the media landscape of my childhood. TV series and movies I watched often showed female protagonists being showed as princesses, that were often weak and that needed someone to save them, which perpetuated gender roles. Similarly, male characters were frequently portrayed as firefighters, policemen or other traditionally masculine roles. For example, I have never seen a man in the media of my childhood in a non-traditional role, such as a caretaker or a homemaker, but I have seen women break gender norms in various TV series. Therefore, it is way more common for women to break these norms than for men.

I realised that the stories showed in the media shaped what I understood of societal expectations based on gender. It happened for me, and it is common for people to become more aware of the impact media has on their gender identity as they grow older. For example, I am capable of reflecting on my own socialisation today and remember what it was like growing up with media showing unrealistic gender norms. Moreover, the lack of representation of men in unconventional roles during my childhood led to a distorted perception of gender roles. The medias like television shows, movies, advertisements, and even social media platforms can really influence how people perceive themselves and others: when a gender is always portrayed in a specific role (for example, the princesses that always need to be saved) or occupations while the other is not, it can create specific expectations that may not really reflect the true diversity in our society. Therefore, this limited portrayal can certainly contribute to reinforcing traditional stereotypes that point out what is considered is for each gender acceptable by society.

However, it is important to note that media representation has changed and is still changing over time. Today, there is a vast recognition that there is a need for more diverse and inclusive portrayals in media. For example, there are much more persons of colour or LGBT+ people in TV show that there were decades ago, or even just a few years ago. Efforts are being made to challenge traditional gender norms and cliches in general by showing individuals that break stereotypes by occupying what can appear as unconventional roles. By becoming aware of how the medias influence people’s perceptions and challenging these representations, society can strive towards a more inclusive society where individuals feel represented no matter their gender identity.

Moreover, the representation of women in the media really played an important role in shaping my understanding of gender equality and stereotypes. The representations of strong women that challenged traditional norms inspired me to believe in myself. It encouraged me to challenge stereotypes and pursue my goals.

The most significant shift in my gender identity compared to my parents’ generation lies in the evolving perceptions of gender norms. Today, the medias look to challenge traditional stereotypes by showing inclusive and diverse identities. Contrary to the limited representations I had seen during my childhood, contemporary media now shows more than ever different gender expressions. For instance, the development of LGBT+ characters reflects a greater acceptance of different identities. These perceptions changing is the most significant shift from my parents’ generation to mine. In comparison, the media environment that my parents grew up in was one that strictly adhered to traditional gender norms. Gender roles were really conventional, and less inclusive.

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