Glossary:
Gender: The state of being male or female (typically used with reference to social and cultural differences rather than biological ones).
Equity Lens:
Equity: The quality of being fair and impartial.
Conformity: Behaviour in accordance with socially accepted conventions or standards.
Patriarchy: A system of society or government in which men hold power and women are largely excluded from it.
Sexism: Prejudice, stereotyping or discrimination, typically against women, on the basis of sex.
Gender roles: The way people think or act to express being a girl,boy, women or man.
(Dictionary.com, 2014)
Definition
Gender stereotypes in the media are simplistic generalizations about gender attributes, differences and roles of individuals and/or groups. These generalizations are often inaccurate and distorted which ultimately creates unrealistic perceptions for individuals in society to understand and hinders individuals from expressing their true emotions and behaviours (Cliffnotes, 2012).
Outline
There are several gender stereotypes expressed through the media which influence the lens that individuals may few genders from.. These gender stereotypes easily snowball into gender roles which can be the underlying issues for global issues we face today such as patriarchy and sexism. Examples of gender stereotypes are;
Stereotypical Characteristics of Men:
- Assertive
- Competitive
- Independent
- Courageous
- Career Focused
- Contains emotions
- Initiate Sex
(Cliffnotes 2014)
Stereotypical Characteristics of WOMEN:
- Loving
- Compassionate
- Caring
- Nurturing
- Sympathetic
- Sexy
- Submissive
(Cliffnotes 2014)
CAUSES
These gender roles easily snowball into gender stereotypes which are heavily portrayed by family, friends and media (Krytyka .
1. Media Pressures
According to Canadian youth, 46% of youth say that the pressure to conform to their gender stereotypes stem from the media (Because I am a Girl 2011). The messages within the media are very powerful and are able to reach large audiences. In order to avoid punishment and bullying, individuals will feel pressure to boldly represent their gender roles. According to a Canadian communication theorist Marshall McLuhan said mass media will affect people's lives by shaping their opinions, attitudes and beliefs (Krytyka 2011) . The media will manipulate certain information to target specific audiences which at times will create an inaccurate depiction of reality within the world affecting their behaviours, opinions and perceptions.
2. Personal Pressures
These gender stereotypes are ingrained into individuals starting in childhood through family, friends and acquaintances (Cliffnotes 2014). According to a Canadian survey, 66% of Canadian youth believe the pressure to conform to stereotypes stems from peers and family (Because I am a Girl 2011). Adults take on their gender stereotypes and allow it to become a gender role which they pass down to their children. As children grow older and adopt these gender specific behaviours they are rewarded with praise and love but as a result lose their own individuality to avoid the chance of shame and ridiculing. For example, 77% of Canadian youth believe boys are likely to be made fun of if they cry (Because I am a Girl 2011)
EQUITY LENS
Gender roles have differentiated men and women within our society. (Krytyka, 2011). This division within society has contributed to larger issues such as patriarchy and sexism. According to a Canadian survey, 91% of Canadian youth believe equality between men and women is good for both boys and girls (Because I am a Girl 2011). It is important to raise awareness and launch prevention methods to identify the negative social effects stereotypes have on individuals and help establish equal balance between men and women within society. This issue can be viewed through the equity lens of Gender. With a distinct divide in the genders there is a clear imbalance that is created between men and women, to fill that gap equity must be achieved by raising awareness. Equity can be achieved through these lenses by embracing and allowing men and women to comfortably express characteristics of both genders without judgement. With this change in culture, the up rise of sexism and patriarchy will only diminish, allowing society to eventually reach the state of equity between men and women (Cliffnotes 2014).
RELIGIOUS STEREOTYPES
Glossary:
Archetypes: a very typical example of a certain person or thing.
Ethnocentrism: evaluation of other cultures according to preconceptions originating in the standards and customs of one's own culture.
Prejudice: Preconceived opinion that is not based on reason or actual experience.
Discrimination: The unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people or things, especially on the grounds or race, age or sex.
Scapegoating: People may be prejudice toward a group in order to vent their anger.
(Dictionary.com, 2014)
Definition:
Religious stereotypes are simplistic generalizations and/or perceptions regarding different religious groups in society. The media will often contain several inaccurate and distorted images to represent different religions which contributes to these stereotypes and the negative perceptions that follow them. (Dictionary.com, 2014)
Outline:
Why are Christians so ignorant? Why are Jews so cheap? Why are Mormons so weird. Religious stereotypes affect not only the stated religious groups but various religious groups ranging from Islam to Hinduism. These stereotypes create a simplified and distorted image of religions which ultimately is reflected on the individuals within that religion as well. These negative stereotypes are embedded within society and have impacted the minds of all individuals which has created larger issues such as religious discrimination. (Teen Ink 2012)
Types of Religious Stereotype are;
- All Muslims are violent.
- All Muslims are evil.
- All Jews are cheap.
- All Jews are greedy.
- All Jews have big noses.
- All Christians are judgemental.
- All Christians are ignorant.
- All Christians are hypocritical
- All catholic priests are molesters.
- All Buddhists are happy.
CAUSES
Religious stereotypes can be established through the ignorance and media influence of religious groups and/or social groups (EHow, 2014).
1. Ethnocentrism
Ethnocentrism is the tendency to believe that one's ethnic or cultural group is centrally important, and that all other groups are measured in relation to one's own. While individuals look through an ethnocentric lens they isolate, limit their experience and understanding in relation to the variety of religions around them (IUPUI, 2014). Since they believe that their religion is superior to others they remain ignorant and use those generalizations (stereotypes) to enhance the separation barrier of "them and us", to ensure that those religions are perceived in weak or less. The want of superiority may allow for religions to act as a scapegoat in certain events which allows for individuals to judge and generalize the personality of people within religion. For example, the Muslims are seen as the scapegoat in regards to the 9/11 attack (Remember.org, 1990).
2. Media Influence
The media may perpetrate stereotypes by portraying individuals of a specific religious group in a certain light (EHow, 2014). In order to create a successful commercial or TV show the media will play on popular archetypes. In order to create useful and relate able archetypes, producers will play on religious stereotypes which are usually negative. Advertising these religious stereotypes influences the consumers which creates a prejudice that the viewers will hold in reference to that specific religion. The religions that are mainly used in the media are Islam, Christian, Jewish and Atheist. When the media focuses on only 4 religions this enhances the use of religious stereotypes and allows for 'inferior' religions to use them in order to gain a sense of superiority, which draws society further away from equity (Media and Religion, 2010).
EQUITY LENS
This issue can be examined through the equity lens of Religion. When the media advertises and plays on the negative stereotypes regarding religions, they affect and manipulate other's perceptions of these religions. Embedding these stereotypes within society creates an imbalance between certain religions and others, which only amplifies the use of these negative stereotypes to make religions inferior to others. (Media and Religion, 2010). It is important to raise awareness to create equity between all of the religions which would eliminate the use of the stereotypes. Canada is known for their Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Under the section "Equal Rights', it is stated that, " Every individual is equal before and under the law and has the right to the equal protection and equal benefit of the law without discrimination and, in particular, without discrimination based on race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, sex, age or mental or physical disability" (Government of Canada, 2014). In order to respect and embrace the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and equity it is important for individuals to retain from using their judgement and bias against other religions, which minimize the use of the negative religious stereotypes within society.
What would you do?
FIND MORE INFORMATION:
http://krytyka.org/gender-stereotypes-in-mass-media-case-study-analysis-of-the-gender-stereotyping-phenomenon-in-tv-commercials
https://www.dosomething.org/tipsandtools/11-facts-about-religious-discrimination
http://people.opposingviews.com/negative-religious-stereotypes-media-4999.html
http://www.etfo.ca/Resources/ForTeachers/Documents/Gender%20Issues%20in%20The%20Media.aspx
RAISE AWARENESS:
http://stopsexistremarks.org/top-five-things-you-can-do-to-prevent-sexist-remarks/
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/magazines/allwoman/10-things-men-can-do-to-end-sexism-_15571032
http://www.eeoc.gov/policy/docs/best_practices_religion.html
http://www.businessmanagementdaily.com/1285/how-to-prevent-religious-discrimination-at-work
References
Websites:
Constitution Acts, 1867 to 1982. (n.d.). Retrived November 28, 2014, from http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/const/page-15.html
ETHNOCENTRISM. (n.d.). Retrieved November 28, 2014, fromhttp://www.iupui.edu/~anthkb/ethnocen.htm
Gender Stereotypes. (n.d.). Retrieved November 28, 2014, fromhttp://www.cliffsnotes.com/sciences/sociology/sex-and-g
ender/gender-stereotypes
Gender stereotypes in mass media. Case study: Analysis of the gender stereotyping phenomenon in TV commercials.
(n.d.). Retrieved November 28, 2014, fromhttp://krytyka.org/gender-stereotypes-in-mass-media-case-study-analysis-of-
the-gender-stereotyping-phenomenon-in-tv-commercials/
Media & Religion. (n.d.). Retrieved November 28, 2014, fromhttp://mediaandreligion482.blogspot.ca/2010/01/stereotyping-in-tv-
is-it-helping-or.html
(n.d.). Retrieved November 28, 2014, from http://dictionary.reference.com/
(n.d.). Retrieved November 28, 2014, from https://becauseiamagirl.ca/document.doc?id=250
Stereotypes and Prejudices. (n.d.). Retrieved November 28, 2014,
from http://remember.org/guide/History.root.stereotypes.html
Stereotypes and Prejudices. (n.d.). Retrieved November 28, 2014,
fromhttp://remember.org/guide/History.root.stereotypes.html
What Are the Causes of Stereotypes? (2011, April 15). Retrieved November 28, 2014,
from http://www.ehow.com/info_8231074_causes-stereotypes.html
Pictures
Banksy Street Art. (n.d.). Retrieved November 28, 2014, from http://banksystreetart.tumblr.com/
(n.d.). Retrieved November 28, 2014, from https://www.google.ca/search?q=religious stereotypes&safe=strict&biw=1280&bih=883&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=HHt4VJGpJsvesATcw4HABQ&sqi=2&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAQ#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=3nulks6q5b1R_M%3A;ptNytlmrmToV9M;http%3A%2F%2Fwarincontext.org%2.
Videos
"Anti-Semitism on the Rise? ABC Primetime asks, "What Would You Do?" [video file]. Retrieved
from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRX31HOikws
"Ep:64 WWYD? What Would You Do- Heavy Woman at Buffet Faces Abuse" [video file]. Retrieved
from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRX31HOikws