Film, Gender Socialization and Stereotype

In the age of advanced technology like the one we live in, the role of media in gender socialization is undisputable. Film as an aspect of media has been transformed greatly and therefore there is also need to narrow down the examination to the constituent aspects of media and examine their role with respect to gender socialization and stereotyping.

War films mostly endorse violence as something natural and gallant for the male characters. In such films, women are mostly presented as whores, nurturers, mothers or chattels (Holtzman 2000). Where soldiers are involved in the films, they are men with stoic endurance and not given to many words. This kind of setup leads to perpetual stereotyping where men are associated with staid character while women are presented as objects of exchange for men who win in the drama. Films again do not associate intimacy with men’s relationships unless such a relationship involves a woman or is directed towards a female.

In relation to gender socialization, films present intimacy between men characters in a way that motivates homophobic reactions. Generally, gays are a symbol of the intertwined relationship between heterosexuality and homosexuality. Gay characters are not so common and if they feature, they are hardly ever depicted enjoying their lives happily. For instance, in Dynasty, Steven’s lovers get killed (Chandler 2009). Film stories that relate to gay tend to emphasize conformist values. This kind of portrayal reinforces gender stereotyping.

Traditional film productions portrayed stereotypical representation of gender roles. However, this trend has been changing slowly. In the recent past there have been campaigns that discourage stereotypical depiction of gender roles. Films also take this into account and therefore there has been a balanced representation in the roles and males and female characters (Holtzman 2000).

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Works Cited:

Holtzman L. “Media messages: what film, television, and popular music teach us about race, class, gender, and sexual orientation” M.E. Sharpe, 2000: 82- 85

Chandler, D. “Television and Gender Roles” Accessed online on Tuesday, November 17, 2009 http://www.aber.ac.uk/media/Modules/TF33120/gendertv.html#E