MediaSmarts Tags - Gender Representation

Many would agree that some strides have been made in how the media portray women in film, television and magazines, and that the last few decades have also seen a growth in the presence and influence of women in media behind the scenes. Nevertheless, female stereotypes continue to thrive in the media we consume every day.

This section addresses the representation of men and masculinity in the media. It covers topics such as media stereotypes of masculinity, how children see masculinity portrayed in media, how various media contribute to stereotypes of masculinity, and male authority in media news coverage, and it addresses the role that the media play in shaping attitudes about masculinity.

Despite the fact that men are the most frequent protagonists in all forms of media, we sometimes have trouble defining what exactly makes a man. In this section, we explore how masculinity and maleness are constructed by the media.

Level: Grades 5 to 8

Author: This lesson has been adapted from Smoke-Free for Life, a smoking prevention curriculum supplement from the Nova Scotia Department of Health, Drug Dependency and Tobacco Control Unit.

Troy, make me proud. Be the first black man to get to the end.
Abed Nadir, Community

…another factor that showed to increase the survival rate of the red-shirts was the nature of the relationship between the alien life and Captain Kirk. When Captain Kirk meets an alien woman and “makes contact” the survival rate of the red-shirted crewmen increases by 84%.
Matt Bailey, Analytics According to Captain Kirk

While there are more of these characters than in times past, however, the default characteristic for women – particularly in children's programming – remains boys and romance. [1] When Joss Whedon, creator of the definitive TV warrior Buffy the Vampire Slayer, was asked "Why do you write these strong women characters?" he answered "Because you're still asking me that question." [2]

"Amber O’Brien, 25, is having the time of her life. Recently she decided it was time to have breast implants. Amber’s proudest achievement: buying a condo. Her life mission: always be open to new ideas. Her pet peeve: people who pressure you into doing things."

Source: Breast implant advertisement

Level(s): Grades 11 - 12

Author: This lesson was adapted, with permission, from a lesson created by Connie Landry, Ottawa Board of Education, and from the Ontario Ministry of Education's Media Literacy Resource Guide.

Overview

To introduce students to the use and prevalence of sexuality in advertising.

Learning Outcomes

Students will demonstrate:

Level: Grades 3 to 6

Duration: 50 minutes

Author: The following lessons have been taken, with permission, from "Media Violence: Pulling the Plug on the Power Myth," in Kids Talk TV: Inside Out, © Office of Communication, United Church of Christ.

Overview