Media & Gender in the U.S.
As Seen Through The 3 Sociological Perspectives
Description of Media & Gender in the U.S.
Media creates meanings about about gender, and plays an important role in the way we understand it as part of our identity, our history, our social institutions, and our everyday lives. Gender refers to the cultural meaning that is ascribed to a person's sex.
Before we are even born, gender can become a key factor in shaping who we are.the American media has been plagued with all sorts of problems including, sliding profits, scandals about manipulation, plagiarism, propaganda, and lower audiences.
Functionalist
This focuses on the origins of gender differences. Functionalist argues that any pattern of behavior that does not benefit society will become unimportant.
Conflict Theory
This looks at the reasons gender differences continue to exist. It is to men's advantage to prevent women from gaining access to political, economic, and social resources.
Symbolic Interactionism
This attempts to explain the ways in which gender is acquired. This focus on how boys and girls learn to act the way they are "supposed to act".
Functionalist Perspective
The Functionalist Perspective of gender roles suggests that gender roles exist to maximize social efficiency.
Conflict Theory Persepctive
Conflict Theory suggests that men, as the dominant gender, subordinate women in order to maintain power and privilege in society.
Symbolic Interactionism Perspective
From a Symbolic Interactionism Perspective, gender is produced and reinforced through daily interactions and the use of symbols.