Representations of gender

In media the way in which males and females are represented is quite contrasting with a continuous pattern always being shown.

The understanding of gender and sex can be often confused;

“Gender” refers to the socially constructed roles, behaviours, activities and attributed that a given society considers appropriate for men and women

Whereas, “Sex” refers to the biological and physical characteristics that define men and women.

Representation of women

Across all Medias the representation of women tends to highlight:

• Beauty
• Size/physique
• Sexuality
• Emotional
• Relationships

The female representation often shows them as being part of a contest which family and friends, for example on who is prettier, or showing a working characteristics – thinking and working as part of a team passive rather  than active.

        Beauty                                               Size                                        Sexuality      
        Emotional                                          Relationships

Representation of males

Masculinity is a concept that is made up of more rigid stereotypes than femininity.

Across all Medias representation of men tend to focus on:

• Strength
• Power
• Attractiveness
• Independence
• Physique 

The male characteristics are often represented as isolated, not reliant on others with the male physique becoming more important and dominant on media.

  Strength                                        Power                           Attractiveness

   Independent                                  Physique

With the representation of males and females it can cause misogyny and misandry.

Misogyny – the hatred or dislike of girls and/or women – sexual discrimination, denigration of women, violence against women and sexual objectification of women.

Misandry - the hatred or dislike of boys and/or men – sexual discrimination, denigration of men, violence against men and sexual objectification of men.