Representation: Focus on Gender

GENDER: Refers to patterns of behaviour and qualities associated with being male or female.

Throughout the first years of our life we begin to recognise the expectations of our gender, through social and educational factors.

For example, we know that girls play with dolls and boys play with cars. Girls wear pink and boys wear blue.

Overtime the two genders have developed codes which are distinctive to only one group. For example, Jobs, dress code, lesurie activites etc.

Traditional- Men had power over women, male qualities superior to female. e.g. inheritance- eldest son.

Traditional Media has often refelcted this image,

watch the following trailer and describe how the traditional representation has been reflected.




1960s-present-feminism challenged this idea-women gained respect, opportunities and a chance to step into 'mens shoes.'

Women were now associated with areas such as: serious careers, smoking, wearing trousers etc. We then started to see switch roles in gender e.g. the house husband, male grooming products etc.

Gender roles now being less defined it has also had a reflection in media today. E.g. aero Advert




This is called a shift in representation. Representation of current society reflects the constructed representation in media forms.

However, this does not mean that the traditional representation of men have disappeared completely from the media. When you watch TV and Film today you will still find the traditonal representations.

This reflects the varied views of gender we have today.

HERE ARE TWO CLIPS WHICH FOCUS ON THE GENDER REPRESENTATION. DISCUSS THE REPRESENTATION OF MEN AND WOMEN IN THE FOLLOWING CLIPS.