Famous painting by René Magritte This is not a pipe.

Representation and Gender stereotypes To understand the meaning of representation To explore gender stereotypes

What is representation? Representation is the way in which the media constructs aspects of ‘real life’ including people, places, events, culture, ethnicity and issues (WJEC, Exploring the Media) The media don’t just present reality they re-present it.

Understanding Representation We are all guilty of representing ourselves a certain way… think about how you represent yourself on social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook. Think about the statuses you post and the pages and links you share. What does this say about you?

Same person: one year apart. Consider how Miley Cyrus was representing herself in 2012, compared to her representation at the VMAs in 2013.

This is the image on Miley Cyrus’ homepage of her official website. Look at the visual clues: Why has this image been chosen? What does it represent?

Important Points to Consider! What kind of world/image is being created by the text? Is it positive or negative? How will audiences interpret this? This will depend on how the person sees the particular person or celebrity, what their relationship is to a certain event or issue It will also depend on the persons age, gender, ethnicity and situation

Start observing how people are being represented. Look at real people around you – how are they representing themselves? Look at actors in soaps? Read about celebrities. Representation is everywhere? For next lesson I want you to have one example of an observation. Start observing…

What is gender? "Sex" refers to the biological and physiological characteristics that define men and women. "Gender" refers to the socially constructed roles, behaviours, activities, and attributes that a given society considers appropriate for men and women....and transgender should be part of this too.

Think about the way girls are often dressed in pink and bought “domesticating” toys like dolls and play ovens and toy vacuum cleaners, whereas boys are usually dressed in blues and non-pastel colours and given toys like guns and construction sets and cars, developing skills that are outside the domestic sphere.

Consider birthday cards and girls/boys magazines. What do these say about what it means to be a boy/girl? What do boys like and what do girls like?

Do you think this changes in men’s/women’s magazines? Spend 5 minutes discussing the contents of ‘men’s magazines’ and ‘women’s magazines’. What types of articles do they feature? What does this suggest is important about men/women? What do you think about this?

Masculinity and femininity Gender and representation of gender is tied up with ideas of masculinity and femininity... Are the following ideas about the representation of men and women reinforced by what you found in the magazines?

Representation of Men 'Masculinity' is a concept that is made up of more rigid stereotypes than femininity. Representations of men across all media tend to focus on the following: Strength - physical and intellectual Power Sexual attractiveness (which may be based on the above) Physique Independence (of thought, action, finances) 'Masculinity' is a concept that is made up of more rigid stereotypes than femininity. Representations of men across all media tend to focus on the following: Strength - physical and intellectual Power Sexual attractiveness (which may be based on the above) Physique Independence (of thought, action, finances)

Representation of Men Male characters are often represented as isolated, as not needing to rely on others (the lone hero). If they submit to being part of a family, it is often part of the resolution of a narrative, rather than an integral factor in the initial balance. It is interesting to note that the male physique is becoming more important a part of representations of masculinity. Male characters are often represented as isolated, as not needing to rely on others (the lone hero). If they submit to being part of a family, it is often part of the resolution of a narrative, rather than an integral factor in the initial balance. It is interesting to note that the male physique is becoming more important a part of representations of masculinity.

Representation of Women Representations of women across all media tend to highlight the following: beauty (within narrow conventions) size/physique (again, within narrow conventions) sexuality (as expressed by the above) emotional (as opposed to intellectual) dealings relationships (as opposed to independence/ freedom) Representations of women across all media tend to highlight the following: beauty (within narrow conventions) size/physique (again, within narrow conventions) sexuality (as expressed by the above) emotional (as opposed to intellectual) dealings relationships (as opposed to independence/ freedom)

Representation of Women Women are often represented as being part of a context (family, friends, colleagues) and working/thinking together as part of a team. In drama they tend to take the role of the damsel in distress or the helper as they are an object (passive, rather than active) Often their passivity extends to victimhood. Men are still represented as TV drama characters up to 3 times more frequently than women, and tend to be the predominant focus of news stories.

Over time, the two genders have developed quite distinct and often oppositional gender codes – activities, spheres of activity and qualities that are deemed to be exclusive to only one group.

Colours Clothes Jobs Leisure Activities Physique Appearance Strength MASCULINEFEMININE Colours Clothes … In groups draw up a list divided into two columns and label one side MASCULINE and the other FEMININE and see what gender codes you can associate with each (Use the headings below to help) Drinks on a Night Out A Typical Night Out Typical Character Qualities Responsibilities in the Home Favourite Genre of Films

Feedback What do you notice about these different ideas associated traditionally with each gender? What image do they conjure up of each group?