Media And Gender Roles In The U.S
As Seen Through The Three Sociological Perspectives
Media Portrayal Of Gender Roles
- Media portrayal of gender roles is how the media (i.e television, videos, radio, movies...) portray gender roles and how things should be.
Functionalism and Gender
- Functionalist argue that any pattern of behavior that does not benefit society will become unimportant. The division between males and females because it benefited human living.
Functionalism and Media Portrayal of Gender Roles
- Functionalist views how media portrays gender as a function. Majority of society would agree that half of the things that the media dishes out pertaining to gender and gender roles is a portrayal of how things should be in society when it comes to how men and women should be.
Confict Theory and Gender
- It is to a man's advantage to prevent women from gaining access to political, economic, and social resources. If men can prevent women form developing their potential, they can maintain the status quo.
Conflict Theory and Media Portrayal Of Gender Roles
The fact that women are moving into more traditional male roles, it is causing conflict. By keeping the traditional division of labor intact, men can enjoy the privileges they enjoy.
Symbolic Interactionism and Gender
- Symbolic Interactionalists focus on how guys and girls are "supposed" to act. Gender concepts can be taught by parents,teachers, and peers in addition to mass media.
Symbolic Interactionalism and Media Portrayl of Gender Roles.
The mass media plays a huge part in symbolic interactionalism. On t.v shows and movies they show how women are moody, soft and loving. While on the other hand men are really tough, fearless and macho. The media portrays the "right" behavior for each gender.