...heroine in films since the 1990’s. But is it an accurate portrayal of women? Films have been guilty of an unfair and inaccurate portrayal of gender roles especially for women. In the early years, women were portrayed as submissive, emotional and dependent on males and males are portrayed as the lead hero in the movie, saving the day and getting the girl in the process (Gilpatric, 2010). However, in recent times, we can observe a new trend in recent movies. Films such as Tomb Raider (2000) and Kill Bill (2001) have emerged showing women in a new light. Similarly, films such as Gladiator (2000) and Finding Nemo (2003) have showed a softer side of males that is rarely shown on screen. So what is have the film industry progressed towards a fairer and more accurate of gender in movies? Literature Review In recent studies, Gilpatric (2010) uses violence as a tool of measure to demonstrate that movies are still depicting gender stereotypes in violent female action character. This is backed by Sternheimer (2003) as she argues that even though females appear to be independent, they are still dependent on males which reinforces traditional gender stereotype. Nevertheless, there has been a noticeable trend that there is a fairer portrayal of gender in films in recent years (Nelmes, 2007). Such a trend is evident in Finding Nemo as Brydon (2009) claim that even Disney, the champions of gender stereotype, has the capacity to steer away from traditional gender roles. Heroines in films have “cross[ed]...
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...Stereotypes of Gender against Women Throughout history, women have been discriminated against in our society. At times, they have been considered the weaker sex and also, they have been expected to do work that only demands low responsibility. These responsibilities may include: housework, being a good wife and mother. However, the world’s perspective towards women has had significant changes, and companies like Walt Disney Production are still generating stereotypes of gender against women in their films such as Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, and Mulan. Media is frequently responsible of encouraging these patterns by the way they show their information and entertainment to the audience. Laura Mulvey, a British feminist film theorist, is best known for her essay, “Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema” which was published in 1975. Here, she describes the role of women in movies “as a tool of attraction for the male gaze” (Mulvey). According to Mulvey’s statement, this work aims to describe the stereotypes of gender that Disney films display throughout their past productions. It also shows how the films can affect everyday lives. Over decades, these cartoons have been criticized for illustrating the traditional American and European values, thus creating stereotypes, which are often not a clear image of the current situation in our society. One of the most discussed topics in the animated features of Walt Disney Productions is the stereotype...
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...The Intern: A Film That Embraces Woman’s Stereotypes The film The Intern is directed and produced by Nancy Meyers, a famous female director and producer. In 1999, Meyers divorced her husband, Charles Shyer after their twenty years marriage with two daughters. The broken marriage actually gives Meyers inspiration to create more films and also gives her challenges to be a single mother as well as a female director. However, rather than action movies that gives audiences excitement, Meyers is talented in creating “warm” films that catch women’s changes of life attitudes at different ages. Therefore, the most frequent theme that she uses for her films is love, and her productions like It’s Complicated, The Holiday, and The Parent Trap, are widely...
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...Media has played a large role in creating social norms. Most people have access to some form of media: television, phone, and film. Through the use of media, society has applied the stereotypes perceived on the groups being stereotyped. Through the use of advertisements, television shows, and films, the media silently manipulate how the audience views each gender. Advertisements are to blame for the constant reminder of gender roles. In one advertisement for a neutral product, sidewalk chalk, a group of girls were coloring on the sidewalk while one boy rapped and performed a small dance routine. It was very apparent that the young boy was the leading character. Allison Lantagne asked, “Are consumers of sidewalk chalk actively trying to send this message of submission to their 9-year-old girls?” This is likely not the case, but the advertisers are continuing to send these messages to the consumers. There are other advertisers who are breaking the stereotypes. Tide has taken measures to move in a better direction. In one commercial, a man makes the statement “I’m a stay-at-home dad,” and later goes on to braid his daughter’s...
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...Gender stereotypes in the horror genre has been talked about for years now. According to the article “Gender Stereotypes In Horror Films” by zara ahmed horror films are one of the most gender stereotyped genre . women are portrayed as weak and scared while the men are often portrayed as the bad guy who is strong and powerful In the article “Gender Stereotypes In Horror Films” ahmed talks the differences between how men and women are portrayed in these movies. In horror movies we sometimes see women being presented as sexual objects. Women are also presented as more emotional and the men are much more tough than the women. Men are often the killer and women are the ones being chased through the woods, screaming for their lives. Most...
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...Women in film have been stereotypically portrayed since the invention of film. In an industry that is extremely male dominated stereotyping is very common. In film women make up 16.7 percent of directors, 4.1 percent directors, 12.2 percent of writers and 20 percent producers . In 2012 out of 67 top films of 2012 only twelve leading characters were female . This essay will be taking a look at various films from different time periods and analyze the way that women are portrayed. The research will focus on how feminine characteristics are considered inferior, women being portrayed as sexual objects, the importance of looking at issues that women face in, also taking a look at stereotypes that don’t seem to be going away regardless of when the films are made. This essay will focus on the evolution of film and how it represents modern day society. It will explore both the negative and positive aspects of the evolution of how women are...
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...Gender is a social construct created through culture, traditions and observed in texts we read. Texts such as novels and films reinforce gender stereotypes. In some cases, novels and films challenge these ideas as well. The construct of gender sets restrictions and constructs boundaries through stereotypes and traditions we have created ourselves. In news articles, the film Whale Rider directed by Niki Caro, and the novel Tomorrow, When the War Began, written by John Marsden, traditional stereotypes are challenged, either directly or indirectly. Different writing or film techniques are used to portray relatable and personal experiences that the viewer or reader can identify with. Gender is a construct that can be discussed through characterisation,...
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...The Curious Case of Gender Identities in Films Assignment No. 2B by Justin Wie Mao Sheng (S8927155Z) Group No. 1 (G1) Academic Writing WRIT001/Term 2 – 2010/2011 I declare that this Assignment is my original work and all information obtained from other sources has been cited accordingly. Turnitin Similarity Index _______________________ Signature and Date Course Instructor: Shirley James % Literature Review “Eroticized as a woman and masculinized as action heroine” (Smelik, 2009) – this seems to be inevitable for any woman who ventures into the world of cinema, occupying nontraditional roles particularly in the action-genre because such films have become synonymous with a cardinal male figure. What then is left for females in this male-dominated genre? Can a female action-heroine, considered unconventional and non-traditional, exist without ultimately emphasizing a more dominant male, hence re-articulating gender stereotypes? I will, by discussing how gender patterns in films affect gender identities, argue that this is not likely, simply because of hegemonic masculinity. Eschholz & Bufkin (2001) established the difference between (biological) sex and gender and how they were linked to criminal violence in films, concluding that film depictions of a “structural hierarchy” emphasizes women (femininity) being physically and emotionally subject to their masculine counterparts. Gilpatric (2010) however, focuses on violent female action characters (VFACs), claiming...
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...Writing and Literary Critique of Asian/Pacific American Literature Throughout the history of the United States media, there are common stereotypes of females in films that are presented in the short story by Fong, Charlie Chan’ No More. I believe that the roles of Asian Americans are limited in films, such as gender and sexuality, by stereotyping females. Asian Americans are being portrayed as negative images through various media, from books, films, plays, and even television. “The audience would realize that media views Asians and Asian Americans as others that include exoticized women, asexual men, a yellow peril threat to the United States” (Ono & Pham, 2009). Throughout this essay, I am referencing the article by Fong, Charlie Chan’ No More, and Moon, a poem by Marilyn Chin, where they both talk about sexuality and gender. “Asian women, have often been depicted as almost completely sexual” (Fong, 177). In the short story as well as the poem, they can manipulate the messages of gender and sexuality of Asian American females that are being represented in both stories. Throughout Fong’s short story, there is a lot of controversy whether or not Asian American females are being portrayed with negative images, for example as sex objects. I also researched instances on the counter actions taken by Asian American females that protest the negative images, such as the dragon lady. I believe that Asian American females are being portrayed with such negative images, such as...
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...Accepting Stereotypes When looking at media today a lot of people may think it has come a long way in terms of its representation of the LGBTQ+ community. However, what many often fail to acknowledge is how they are being represented. Despite the growing acceptance and portrayal of LGBTQ+ characters in television and film, the main depictions we see are still stereotypes, negative images, and comic reliefs; all there for entertainment and/or to gain credit for diversity. Why is it that today, in the age of second generation human rights activists, the majority of people still seem to voluntarily swallow these stereotypes of the LGBTQ+ community? Hollywood has during later years been criticized by its lack of diversity, and focus on white...
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...Hitchcock, Women, and Lisa Fremont” by John Fawell discusses the way femininity and fashion play a significant role in the creation of Alfred Hitchcock’s films. Fawell states that Hitchcock’s “works are characterized by a fascination with women, with their charm, their sophistication, their maturity, their wisdom” (277). This is especially compelling in the way that Hitchcock often treated his actresses on the sets of his films. It seems that Hitchcock is very fascinated with the feminine traits of women and women’s fashion in general. However, as it was stated in the article, Hitchcock often wanted to change his actresses’ techniques and ways in order to show a more human side to them. This fascination with women is shown in the female characters of the film such as Lisa Fremont, and Miss Torso. He often casts them as sexual objects, with Miss Torso’s outfits and dancing...
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...and Latino’s have been depicted in television, sports, and films in ways that have been changed in our society” (Omi 655). Stereotypes play an important role in today's society and particularly in Propaganda. According to the Webster's Dictionary stereotyping is defined as “a fixed conventional notion or conception of an individual or group of people, held by a number of people.” (Webster’s dictionary) Stereotypes can be basic or complex generalizations which people apply to individuals or groups based on their appearance, behavior and beliefs. Stereotypes are found everywhere. Though our world seems to be improving in many ways it seems almost impossible to liberate it from stereotypes. For example, African- Americans are associated with basketball, and acting. Asian – American men are made out to be the bad guys in film, women are seen as prostitutes and are sexual abused. Last but not least Latino’s are popping up everywhere, in hit TV shows like Ugly Betty, in major league baseball and in the music business. Stereotypes have existed since the beginning of time in our everyday life through religion, politics and the media. Humans have the tendency to use stereotypes in their humour, their descriptions of others, and even in their beliefs. One may believe it is possible to rid oneself of such habits; however if one looked at the regular promotions of propaganda, it would make this objective impossible. Stereotypes, however, aren't always negative. Propaganda is a force which...
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...It is imperial that we understand how the representation of women in film is wholly based on a male perspective. Throughout the history of film, we should acknowledge that the classical studio system in Hollywood has provided audiences with a patriarchal notion of society. Nowadays directors form their films around an institution that best suits the script and therefore, constructing the film. It is not uncommon for films to take advantage of the female body to an extent in which it gains a sexual aspect for the film thus producing a male stance on the matter. Furthermore, the use of women in films has been for the most part “an indispensable element of spectacle… yet her visual presence tends to work against the development of a storyline, to freeze the flow of action in moments of erotic contemplation” (Mulvey, 346). The film industry has continuously managed to restrict women’s freedom and thus encouraging male dominance in society. Because “cinema’s identity lays in its ability to record reality” (Manovich, 2), then how gender is represented in films alludes to our understanding of set roles in society. Nevertheless, we also need to recognize that there is notion of change relating to gender stereotypes within the film industry. There are countless movies starring women as lead characters who epitomize...
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...modern day portrayal of women on the screen, in T.V. Serials, Telefilms and in sundry other forms has played an important though shameful, role in the diminishing of respect for women as individuals and the mystique attached to them. The over sexual menaces in most forms of the mass media notably films, play a significant role in not only the creation of inappropriate stereotypes of women in the male mind but also the creation of wholly perverse role models for the pliable minds of teenage girls. The debonair hero on the screen nudges and teases the young heroine, harasses her along with his friends that are till they irrevocably fall in love. The conversion of the heroine into the vamp, the women who uses her sexuality for scandalizing the audience is a case in point. In recent years, in India, there has been a fold of movies starting perhaps with Raj Kapoor’s “Ram Teri Ganga Maili” in which female sexuality has been perversely portrayed. Since then a krishma Kapoor or a shilpa Shirodkar or a Puja Bedi has had no inhibition in terms of exposing and catering to the perverse tastes of the male audience. In the West, such portrayal goes back to many decades. A marlyn Monroe or a Brigitte Bardot were the sex symbols of a generation almost three decades back. They played the role of women slaved to their sexual instincts, and whose sense of self-worth arose only from their degree of sexual satisfaction. The myth became the reality in the male mind and women became only and ultimately...
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...Black Women in the Media Media is defined as a form of mass communication through the use of radio, television, the Internet, music, film, and etc. Throughout history, American media has not only been used as a form of communication and entertainment, but it has also been utilized to spread stereotypes and hegemonic ideals reinforcing the racial hierarchy that has continued to survive even after the abolition of slavery in the nineteenth century. According to Tilicia L. Mayo, Indiana University communications graduate, images in the media contain the ability to teach many different lessons. Mayo states, “Contemporary films and television shows deliver images that communicate ideologies such as class, standing and position in society” (vi). After the abolition of slavery, White America searched for means of social control through the media since they lacked the power of legal control. Black women, being of the lowest racial and gender classes in America, have repeatedly been stereotyped and victimized through the use of degrading images in contemporary media. The origins of these images can be found in the racist ideologies of the African slave woman created by White Euro-American slave owners. The images of black women in American media have directly affected how black women and other people in society define black womanhood. This influence directly shows how people utilize fictitious and stereotypical images from the media in trying to understand the stereotyped group and...
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