Media Role Research Paper
October 13, 2014
Rosamar Mallari
Professor: Deanna Shelby
SOC 101: Introduction to Sociology
Moraine Valley Community College – Blue Island Learning Center

Media Role Research Paper The inequality between men and women is not limited to past civilizations or to certain cultures; however, is constantly present in modern society. Moreover, the biological components with which individuals are born will not only work as their master status within society, but it will also dictated the socially acceptable behavior for the individuals within that civilization (Helsin, 2009, p. 294). Additionally, in modern society the media can also reinforce the gender stratification barrier or break it. Therefore, to have a better understanding of the media effect in gender stratification an episode of the television sitcom “Last Man Standing” will be analyze in the following paragraphs.
Episode Background “Last Man Standing” is a comedy show in which the father of three girls offers his perspective regarding day-to-day situations that families are dealing with, in today’s society. In the episode “Here’s the Kicker” the family has to deal with the decision of the youngest female member of joining the men varsity football team (Shipley & Pasquin, 2014).
Gender Stratification in Today’s Media According to Helsin (2009), “It is not the work that provides prestige, but the sex with which the work is associated” (p. 303); therefore, as Linton and Rosaldo noted (as cited in Helsin, 2009), “Universally, greater prestige is given to male activities – regardless of what those activities are”. An example of the previous is given during the episode “Here’s the Kicker”, because the parents disregard the accomplishment in fashion of their middle daughter as soon as the younger daughter mention she joined the men football team and her interest in the military. Furthermore, according to the perspective of the oldest daughter, women should not join “men teams”, because that would be accepting that female competitive teams are not as good as male teams, and another character noted that a “girl in a football team is a gimmick” (Shipley & Pasquin, 2014). Nevertheless, this is not limited to this television show, because the lineup of television networks like ESPN provides more coverage for men sports than women sports (ESPN, 2014); therefore, reinforcing the idea that men sports in general are of most interest for the general population. Nonetheless, modern women are cracking the “Glass Ceiling”, not only in the sport area but in the business and political environment as well. However, only women “Willing to give up sleep and recreation for the sake of career advancement” (Helsin, 2009, p. 319) are expected to break through the glass ceiling. Additionally, a character in this episode suggest that women want to become men, therefore, reinforcing the idea that in order to have a successful career women should adopt characteristics assign to men, and distant themselves from the female features. Moreover, this episode also mentioned gender stereotypes like female preference for pink. Though, assigning color preference for a specific gender is mostly see in the American and Western European Cultures (Frassanito & Pettorini, 2008). For example, in countries like the United States and Canada pink is usually associated with feminity and homosexuality, while green and blue are associated with masculinity (Bortoli & Moroto, 2001). Subsequently, one can assumed that stereotypes like color preference is a gender characteristic set by society and culture. However, sensitivity and caring for the children is a task given to the female characters. In this specific episode the mother wants to prevent the younger daughter of doing male activities, because she is worry for her safety. In the other hand, the father is the one supporting their daughter to accomplish all her goals no matter what those goals are. But, the older male in the family suggests that the support that his son demonstrates towards his child is a feminine characteristic.
Nonetheless, the mother also suggests that the father influenced the personality of their youngest daughter. Although, biologists might not agree that gender characteristics can be instructed by society (Heslin, 2009, p. 298), the media suggests otherwise. For example, television shows for children develop different themes for boys and girls, usually shows targeting girls will have sensible characters, the princess marrying her savior. In contrast, boys’ shows are animated action type, and the male character would save the damsel in distress or complete an important quest. In summary, the media reinforces the characteristics that male and females are supposed to exhibit within society. Although, females are trying to break apart from such characteristics and advance to positions generally occupied by men only a few are able to break through the cracking glass ceiling. Nevertheless, this specific episode of “Last Man Standing” suggests that younger male generations are more open to the idea of female attaining high positions, and competing as equals in the “men world” than older generations.

References
Bortoli, M., and Maroto, J. (2001). Colours across cultures: translating colours in interactive marketing communications. Retrieved from http://www.globalpropaganda.com
Frassanito, P., & Pettorini, B. (2008). Pink and blue: the color of gender. Child's Nervous System: Chns: Official Journal Of The International Society For Pediatric Neurosurgery, 24(8), 881-882. doi:10.1007/s00381-007-0559-3
Henslin, J. M. (2009). Sociology: a down to earth approach (10th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.
Shipley, M. (Witer), and Pasquin, J. (Director). (2014). Here Comes the Kicker (television series episode).