Media Influences On Gender Role

Media Influences On Gender Role

Gender roles, or the expectations and actions associated with being male or female, are widespread in society and vary by country. Many variables, including religious beliefs, societal conventions, and historical traditions, have formed these positions. While gender roles have changed, they shape society’s expectations and influence individual behavior. Traditional gender norms are heavily embedded in Hollywood films. For many years, films have emphasized that males should be robust, bold, and aggressive, whereas women should be caring, emotional, and quiet. The representation of gender roles in Hollywood films extends beyond the characters to their physical appearance, conduct, and communication style. Women are supposed to dress femininely, act demurely, and communicate in a soft and delicate tone, whereas males are expected to dress masculinely, appear robust, and talk authoritatively.

A combination of factors, including the predominance of male directors and the notion that these depictions will appeal to audiences, have maintained these gender stereotypes in Hollywood films. Furthermore, female film characters are frequently depicted in traditional positions, such as the love interest or the damsel in distress, perpetuating the idea that women are weak and require protection. Gender roles in Hollywood films influence the entertainment sector. The media, particularly movies, may impact how individuals perceive themselves and others and can help perpetuate gender stereotypes. This can have negative repercussions, such as restricting individuals’ prospects depending on their gender and perpetuating unequal treatment.

In recent years, there has been a rising push to question traditional gender norms and promote gender equality. The growing understanding that gender stereotypes restrict human potential and promote prejudice has propelled this movement. As a result, there has been an effort to encourage more varied and inclusive gender depictions in Hollywood films and other media.

Gender Roles in Hollywood Movies Overview

Hollywood and the entertainment industry have significantly impacted popular culture worldwide. However, racial segregation in the sector has always been a problem, notably with Asian-American underrepresentation. Despite expanding diversity and inclusiveness initiatives, there is still a significant scarcity of Asian-American talent in essential parts of popular series and films, underscoring the need for change. Cross-dressing and racial discrimination research has shed light on Asian Americans’ difficulties in Hollywood. According to one analysis, Asian- American actors are frequently restricted to conventional and supporting parts, whereas white actors monopolize prominent roles (Artz, 2022). This imbalance affects the chances available to Asian-American performers and promotes detrimental preconceptions that lead to racial prejudice.

Aside from the issue of representation, there is also a serious issue of racial prejudice in Hollywood’s portrayal of Asian Americans. Many Asian-American characters in movies and television shows are represented negatively, perpetuating damaging stereotypes and fueling bias toward the group. The “dragon lady” stereotype, for example, depicts Asian women as cold, manipulative, and exotic, but the “nerd” stereotype depicts Asian males as socially awkward and unathletic (Peralta, 2022). Asian-American underrepresentation and misrepresentation in Hollywood have severe ramifications for the community. It limits their employment options and leads to damaging stereotypes and prejudice. To solve these concerns, the entertainment industry has to be more diverse and inclusive, with more Asian Americans in starring roles and more accurate and positive depictions of the community in films and TV series.

Cross-Dressing

Television serves as a medium for reproducing social and cultural norms, including musical styles and other aspects of popular culture. It has become an integral part of our everyday lives and a fundamental social habit worldwide. Television serves a vital function in society by disseminating ideas and ideologies and catering to the cultural preferences of a broad audience. Furthermore, television represents socialization, creating a setting where individuals may develop identities following various role models and representations (Stalcup, 2019).

Television has a dual purpose and may spread both excellent and negative ideas; thus, its influence is not always favorable. The media, particularly television, have been at the center of much discussion about the rise of cross-dressing. If not for the media’s positive portrayal of cross-dressing, the trend would not have caught on to the extent it has in the United States (Stalcup, 2019). Therefore, it is vital to know the practice of cross-dressing to be familiar with the cultural and ethnic disparities in Hollywood films, especially those featuring African- Americans and Asians. Racial segregation has been an issue in Hollywood for decades, with Asian Americans being heavily underrepresented. Because of this underrepresentation, Asian Americans are stereotyped in popular cultures, such as Hollywood blockbusters (Artz, 2022). These distortions have the potential to reinforce damaging preconceptions and institutionalize cultural prejudices, all of which can affect the viewers’ worldviews.

Statement of the Problem

 Asian Americans’ underrepresentation in Hollywood is a long-standing issue that has persisted despite efforts to remedy the situation. Asian Americans were frequently portrayed in movies as representations of white society in the past, resulting in a little picture of their culture. As a result, Asian culture has been virtually overlooked in Hollywood films, with Asian American performers limited to a few roles that perpetuate negative stereotypes. Despite some progress, the issue of whitewashing Asian characters in the media remains prominent.

Discrimination against Asian Americans in Hollywood stems from the Yellow Terror period when white people hated East Asians. American filmmakers could represent Asians as intelligent and cunning based on their prejudiced perceptions. This stereotype has long been fostered, with Asian males being shown as deceptive and malicious while Asian women are frequently painted as magical beings. These depictions are based on stereotypes and do not accurately reflect the Asian American community. To address this issue, there has been a push to enhance Asian American presence in Hollywood films and encourage them to take on more parts that reflect their identity. The Hollywood Foreign Press Association has been a key factor behind this movement, campaigning for Asian Americans to be cast in starring parts. However, there are still arguments against casting Asian Americans in starring parts. Some believe that if an Asian American were chosen as the lead, box office profits would be lower. Despite evidence to the contrary, this argument has been used to defend Asian Americans’ ongoing underrepresentation in Hollywood.

The problem of underrepresentation does not only affect Asian Americans. Cross-dressing is another issue depicted in Hollywood films, raising concerns about depicting diverse cultures. Cross-dressing is the practice of dressing in clothing normally associated with the opposite sex. While cross-dressing has existed in many civilizations throughout history, it has been shown in many ways in Hollywood films. In some films, cross-dressing is employed as a plot device; in others, it explores gender identity and sexuality. Cross-dressing, on the other hand, has been used to promote negative stereotypes and enforce gender norms. Cross-dressing, for example, is frequently connected with comedy and is utilized to provoke laughs from the audience. This fosters the notion that gender norms are set and that straying from them is frowned upon. Cross-dressing has sometimes been used to represent specific groups negatively, such as homosexual men as effeminate and weak. Cross-dressing in movies, like the underrepresentation of Asian Americans in Hollywood, is impacted by cultural standards and biases. The representation of cross-dressing in films is frequently impacted by cultural norms of the period, which can contribute to the perpetuation of unfavorable stereotypes.

Factors leading to less representation of Africans and Asians

 The success of the Fast and Furious franchise has challenged the argument that the presence of diverse casts hurts box office revenue. This series has a diverse cast and crew in front of and behind the camera. Despite this, the franchise has accumulated over $4 billion in box office receipts worldwide. Ralph J. Bunche conducted a study that found that movies with diverse leads bring in higher numbers for the film industry and provide higher returns on investment for studios and independent filmmakers (Eagan, 2020). Furthermore, there are low-budget movies with predominantly Asian casts that have made up to four times the amount of money expected for their production, indicating that the economics of casting actors for stereotypical racist roles is not a valid argument.

Despite evidence to the contrary, the notion that casting diverse actors negatively impacts box office revenue persists in Hollywood. This is due, in part, to the history of the yellow peril era, in which white people feared East Asians, leading to the portrayal of Asians in films as cunning and malevolent (Willocks, 2019). This stereotyping and discrimination have been perpetuated through the years, with Asian men continually being represented as deceitful and Asian women as cunning and mythical creatures, reinforcing negative preconceptions about the Asian American population (Stalcup, 2019). The lack of representation of Asian Americans in Hollywood movies has resulted in their culture being relegated to the background and ignored.

Hyper-sexualization as a factor in Asian-American representation

 In the film industry, there is evidence that Asian women are given greater possibilities than their male colleagues. This is especially obvious compared to the opportunities for Asian guys in the US film business. Female characters in movies are frequently objectified or made to appear undesirable. In contrast, Asian male characters are frequently underrepresented or not given major parts, making it harder to acquire information about them. The few examples that emphasize Asian guys’ roles in the film business do not show their complete spectrum of talents. In the film Slaying the Dragon, the protagonist is a young Chinese child shown to be exceptionally clever and inventing creative computer-related ideas (Thomas, 2021). Throughout the film, he is rejected by a white Caucasian lady, reinforcing the stereotype that Asian men and men of Asian origin are typically ugly and unwanted.

This portrayal of Asian males in the film industry has far-reaching consequences since millions of individuals who see these films go on to reproduce what they see. The restricted and unfavorable representation of Asian guys entrenches the culture of considering these men undesirable. This promotes the perception that Asian males are less handsome and desirable, reinforced by conflicting depictions of Asians in the media regarding sex appeal and attractiveness. This is a major worry since it hurts the psychology of Asian boys who grow up feeling excluded, underrepresented, and invisible.

Common Stereotypes

 Debbie Ryan plays a babysitter in the Disney Channel series “Jessie,” where she works for an affluent family that has adopted two children, one of whom is of Indian descent (Tritto,2019). The youngster Revi is usually forced to talk with an exaggerated Indian accent, which the program regularly employs for humorous effect. The show also emphasizes cultural distinctions between Revi and the other kids on the show, which are not fully true. Furthermore, Revi is frequently portrayed donning traditional Indian garb and mingling with parts of Indian culture, such as a huge snake, without regard for the situation or his current position. The program also ignores the range of experiences within the Indian-American community and perpetuates prejudices by displaying only one narrow image of the culture.

Similarly, in the television program “The Big Bang Theory,” a main character of Indian origin is forced to speak with an Indian accent, even though it is not natural for someone who has lived most of their life in the United States (Larsen et al., 2020). This necessity is not justified in the program and appears to be employed for humorous effect rather than essential to the storyline or character development. This strengthens the notion that employing accents or stressing ethnic differences is a good method to get people to laugh, even if it maintains damaging prejudices.

What Is the Environment for Them Like for Them in Stage Acting?

 While there has been an increase in the representation of Asian Americans in film roles, particularly for women, the same cannot be said for leadership positions such as directors and producers. A 2012 report by an advocacy organization found that many non-Asian Americans were still filling roles traditionally played by Asian Americans (Cheung, 2019). This underrepresentation of Asian Americans in leadership roles was seen as a form of marginalization and a significant obstacle to achieving full inclusion. Furthermore, Asian Americans are often confined to playing roles defined by their race rather than being allowed to play a wider range of characters. This perpetuates harmful stereotypes and reinforces the idea that Asian Americans can only play certain roles. This limited and stereotypical representation issue is particularly prominent in the film industry, where Asian men are often depicted as unattractive or emasculated. In contrast, Asian women are hypersexualized or portrayed as submissive.

While some argue that the modest gains made in recent years are important steps toward achieving greater representation, there is still a long way to go. The lack of diversity in leadership roles means that even when Asian Americans are cast in roles, their stories may still be controlled and shaped by non-Asian Americans. This power dynamic further perpetuates the marginalization of Asian Americans in the film industry. In a similar trajectory, it will be crucial to discuss the misrepresentation of Cross-dressing in Black Comedy.

The Misrepresentation of Cross-Dressing in Black Comedy

 Gender roles have been stereotyped in society, where women are expected to behave in a feminine manner, and men are expected to behave in a masculine manner. Those who dress outside their assigned gender are frowned upon, leading to societal disapproval (Castillo, 2022). However, some black male comedians have cross-dressed in skits to evoke laughter. This paper examines the impact of such spoofs on the African American community, how the entertainment industry contributes to degrading and emasculating black males, and how these spoofs mock black women.

Misinterpretation of African American Women in Spoofs

 Black male comedians, such as Jamie Foxx, Tyler Perry, and Martin Lawrence, have played black female characters in spoofs, often relying on the stereotypes of black women as domineering, judgmental, and harsh (Castillo, 2022). These spoofs employ the Sapphire stereotype of being feisty, obstinate, and domineering as the basis for their characterizations. The stereotypes of black women as stupid, noisy, and unattractive have also been used to create characters, such as Ugly Wanda, played by Jamie Foxx, and Sheneneh Jenkins, played by Martin Lawrence (Castillo, 2022). These spoofs challenge the notion that a black woman can be attractive, as darker skin tones are highly esteemed in society. As a result, women of color are evaluated based on the deeds of characters that are personifications of mythical roles. It is heartbreaking to watch black men carry out these roles as it implies that they believe their wives and girlfriends behave in such a manner.

Impact on the African American community

 The entertainment industry contributes to the degrading and emasculating of black males by portraying them in emasculated roles, which makes them appear less menacing to white people, allowing them to feel at ease when they see black men in these roles. These depictions perpetuate negative stereotypes of African Americans and convey a bad picture of the entire race. The spoofs threaten the African American community by feminizing the image of black masculinity, making a mockery out of black women.

Black women are forced to interact with people who present these images and unwittingly project them, which can be degrading. Black women are coerced into suppressing even the slightest hint of anger to avoid being labeled an Angry Black Woman. This label perpetuates the stereotype of black women as angry, which is untrue and unfair. Moreover, these spoofs perpetuate the stereotype of black women as undesirable and unattractive, which affects the self-esteem of black women.

Tyler Perry’s character Madea, an old black woman with a criminal record carrying a weapon, is a divisive figure in black humor (Davis, 2019). While Perry’s objective was to create a comic persona, many people accused him of disrespectfully portraying Madea and reinforcing bad stereotypes about black women. Madea is frequently portrayed as the personification of folly and vengefulness, reinforcing the image of black women being violent and furious. This description of Madea contrasts sharply with the idea of the loving and nurturing grandmother that is frequently associated with elder black women.

Furthermore, plus-size black women in black humor are stereotyped as nasty and ugly. In the film Norbit, Eddie Murphy plays Rasputia, an exceedingly fat and aggressive lady who is unkind to her husband (Tan et al., 2021). Similarly, Big Shirley, the character on Martin’s television program, is presented as an extremely huge and terrifying woman (Clasen, 2021). These individuals are presented as a threat to weaker men who lack the fortitude to refuse their approaches. This reinforces the reputation of black women as angry and dangerous.

Furthermore, unfavorable perceptions about black males in cinema and television have led to their representation as violent and uncomfortable. In an attempt to challenge this stereotype, black male performers have occasionally performed female roles, which are perceived as softer and more feminine. This, however, emasculates black males while reinforcing negative perceptions about black women. The fact that white men only accept black men when they behave in a specific way is problematic because it promotes the concept that black men must comply with a certain standard to be accepted.

According to Ed Gordon, an American journalist, Hollywood has played a key part in propagating unfavorable stereotypes about black people for many years. (Allison, 2019). He claims that black artists frequently face a shortage of employment prospects in the entertainment sector, forcing them to perform stereotypical roles or go hungry. As a result, black performers were obliged to disgrace members of their community to make a livelihood, reinforcing negative stereotypes and harming black people’s self-esteem.

Personal Reflection

 As a viewer and a scholar, my goal was to understand the perceptions of African American women in South Los Angeles towards cross-dressing skits and their portrayal in the media. To achieve this, I interviewed four women from Imperial Courts, a public housing project in Watts (Amunategui, 2020). I purposely chose this area to debunk stereotypes that women from low-income backgrounds are unintelligent, rude, and uncivilized. The women’s age range was from late teens to mid-20s, and they were chosen based on their willingness to participate in the study. I presented the women with clips from television shows like Living Color and Saturday Night Live and asked them for their thoughts on portraying cross-dressing characters (Clasen, 2021). While one participant immediately recognized the caricatures as problematic, others saw them as humorous depictions. However, after discussing the larger issues with them, the first participant understood the stereotypes used to create such characters, and the others recognized the problems and concerns surrounding them.

Initially, my research focused on the impact of spoofs on women’s portrayal. Still, I later decided to include the perspectives of black men on masculinity and how it affects cross-dressing. To achieve this, I conducted a poll on my social media channels, which included questions about how heterosexual and gay men felt about cross-dressing and whether they cross-dressed for any specific purpose. I then analyzed the findings and was surprised to discover that all the men who participated did not enjoy watching shows like Ru Paul’s Drag Race (Andersen,2021). Some attributed this to homophobia, while others did not find it entertaining.

Interestingly, the heterosexual men comfortable with their masculinity did not have a problem watching a straight man cross-dress. It did not challenge their sense of masculinity, unlike watching gay men cross-dress. These same men believed that the portrayal of women in the media was accurate and that there was no issue with the stereotypes used. However, this belief is problematic and contributes to the negative portrayal of women in the media.

The impact of media representation on individuals is significant, particularly in shaping societal attitudes toward certain groups of people. This influence is particularly prevalent in how media portrays women of color, as evidenced by the skits and caricatures of popular television shows such as Living Color and Saturday Night Live (Omi, 2022). As part of a research project, I interviewed several African American women from South Los Angeles to gain insight into their thoughts and feelings about these portrayals. While some participants recognized the harmful stereotypes and caricatures presented in these shows, others believed they should not be taken seriously as they were meant to be humorous.

However, it is important to recognize that the impact of these negative media portrayals goes beyond mere entertainment. These depictions can have long-lasting and damaging effects on the self-esteem and sense of worth of women of color. This is particularly evident in how these media representations influence younger generations. Today’s youth are often exposed to skits and impersonations of women of color on social media platforms such as Instagram and Twitter. These portrayals often depict women negatively, perpetuating stereotypes and further devaluing their societal importance.

One example is the comedian Tre Melvin, who achieved popularity by demeaning black women through characters that are ratchet, prostitutes, and young women who become pregnant but do not want their children. As a younger person, I found this content entertaining and realistic portrayals of black women. However, upon reflection, it is clear that these depictions serve only to reinforce harmful stereotypes and perpetuate negative attitudes toward women of color. The impact of these media portrayals on individuals of color is not limited to women, however. As part of my research, I also polled black men to gain insight into their perspectives on masculinity and cross-dressing. The findings revealed that many of the men surveyed did not enjoy shows such as Ru Paul’s Drag Racing, often due to homophobia or simply because they did not find it amusing (Andersen, 2021). While some men were comfortable with straight men cross-dressing, they still held negative attitudes towards women of color, believing that the stereotypes presented in the media were accurate and justified.

Conclusion

 Finally, the essay explains the complicated interplay between media, gender roles, and cultural perspectives. It emphasizes how various media types, such as television, movies, and social media, shape our perception of gender and identity. Popular culture’s image of women, particularly women of color, has been riddled with stereotypes and unfavorable portrayals. This has resulted in the acceptance of particular gender norms and the normalization of disparaging depictions. Furthermore, the essay implies that these negative media impacts affect women and males, who may feel pushed to adhere to specific masculine norms.

The essay also emphasizes the significance of critically assessing media and being aware of the messages we absorb. The personal insight on how they used to find comedy in unfavorable depictions of women emphasizes the need for self-reflection and progress. We must be willing as a society to fight damaging assumptions and demand more varied and honest media depictions.

Furthermore, the essay addresses the influence of media on younger generations, who may internalize negative messages about themselves and others. As a result, empowering young people to challenge media messages and acquire a healthy knowledge of gender and identity is crucial.

References

Allison, D. C. (2019). Historical miseducation on Black Womanhood. Challenging Misrepresentations of Black Womanhood: Media, Literature and Theory, 1, 155.

Amunátegui, J. C. (2020). The Société Anonyme de l’Hippodrome de Paris: Architecture and Association in Late Nineteenth-century Paris (Doctoral dissertation, Princeton University).

Andersen, M. M. T. (2022). Keeping It Real? Dynamics of Authenticity and Branding in RuPaul’s Drag Race. In Cultures of Authenticity (pp. 193-205). Emerald Publishing Limited.

Artz, L. (2022). Spectacle and Diversity: Transnational Media and Global Culture. Routledge.

Castillo, A. L. (2022). Expressions of Femininity, Black Feminism, and Pan-Africanist Rhetoric in Black Popular Music.

Cheung, P. H. (2019). Asian American Representation and Stereotypes on Mainstream American Television: A Case Study of Fresh Off the Boat (Doctoral dissertation, Aarhus University).

Clasen, M. (2021). A Very Nervous Person’s Guide to Horror Movies. Oxford University Press. Davis, A. (2019). Jalimusa: An Epic Tale of Black Motherhood. Lulu. com.

Eagan, O. (2020). Oscar Buzz and the Influence of Word of Mouth on Movie Success. Palgrave Macmillan.

Larsen, M. L. S., & Rendix, M. (2020). Geek and Nerd Masculinity in The Big Bang Theory.

Omi, M. (2022). In living color: Race and American Culture. In Cultural politics in contemporary America (pp. 111-122). Routledge.

Peralta, E. (2022). An Analysis of the Portrayal of Women of Color in Western Animation. Journal of Student Academic Research, 3(1).

Stalcup, S. R. (2019). Girls Will Be Boys: Cross‐Dressed Women, Lesbians, and American Cinema Laura Horak. Rutgers University Press, 2016.

Tan, L., & Scheffmann, D. (2021). Brown-Baby.

Thomas, C. (2021, March). Writing for emotional impact in film and video games: Lessons in character development, realism, and interactivity from the Alien media franchise.

In Arts (Vol. 10, No. 2, p. 20). MDPI.

Tritto, A. (2019). Ways to Make Money Working with Kids. Enslow Publishing, LLC.

Willocks, R. M. (2019). Masculinity on Every Channel: The Development and Demonstration of American Masculinity of the Postwar Period via 1960s Television (Doctoral dissertation, Miami University).

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Discussion 2 – Media Influences on Gender Role [Due Wed., July 5th at 11:59 pm]

Discussion 2 – Media Influences on Gender Role

The media plays a significant role in shaping our perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors. One area where media profoundly impacts is the portrayal of gender roles. From movies and TV shows to advertisements and social media, media platforms often perpetuate certain stereotypes and expectations related to gender.

Please address the following questions to discuss:

1. Can you think of any specific examples from popular culture where gender roles are reinforced or challenged? How do these portrayals impact societal norms?
2. Can media be a tool for challenging and breaking gender stereotypes? Share examples of where the media has successfully promoted more diverse and inclusive representations of gender.

*For discussion posts (Discussion 2 – 4), respond to the prompt with a post of at least 300 words (15 points). Then, respond to a classmate with a post of at least 150 words (5 points). (Short posts do not earn full credit). Posts that do not address the prompt do not earn full credit. If you are unsure how long your post is, the word count is displayed in the bottom right-hand corner of the Message box.