Why is studying representation of women in the media is important

This is important due to the fact that the representation of women has been negative for a long time and due to Gerbner's cultivation theory and dominant ideologies this has become normal to so many people. In order for there to be a change in the representation of women in the media people need to realise that it is happening rather than being oblivious to it. In programs such as 'I want to marry harry' the girls are there because they want to find prince charming because from a young age with Barbie dolls and fairytales shown by disney they are exposed to this ideology and think it is what is expected of them. By other people watching these programs the ideology of women marrying princes continues and the cultivation theory continues.

Another negative representation of women in the media is that they are there purely for the pleasure and entertainment of men. This is shown in many different media products from mens magazines, films and music videos such as blurred lines. In these women are objectified as a physical form, purely for no other purpose than to pleasure and entertain men. Studying this representation of women is important because the more media products that portray this the more accepted this view of women becomes. This also fits with the theory of the male gaze which states that all media products are made by men for men.  This is shown in many films where men are given the main role and hold a lot of power where the women are just there to entertain. For example in James Bond he is the main character who the film is named after where as the women are his side kicks or just there for him to admire and get pleasure from. The hegemony theory states that if the media is run by a small group of people and what they believe will be shown and will become a dominant ideology. So if it were a small group of white middle aged men, everyone else such as women and different cultures will be portrayed negatively and middle aged men will have the power and will be represented in a positive way.

A brief encounter

In this film here are a few different ways in which women are represented through out shown throughout the film.

Firstly the main character is represented to e very emotional, timid and weak throughout the whole film. This is firstly shown in te emotions that the character portrayed and her facial expressions. Throughout the film the character seemed to have an unhappy look upon her face even when she was with the man she loved. She also kept bursting into tears at everything which showed her to be very weak and emotional as this small act of being with this man, without even engaging in a physical relationship with him made her full of guilt and sorrow. Also throughout the film the women always seemed dependant on the male characters. For example when the main character would cry it would either be her husband or boyfriend who would console her. Also when the cafe lady was having trouble with the two male characters they sent for a man to come and help and he did. For this it seemed that she would 'pay him back' for this.

Another representation of women in this film was as the worker and physical labourer. This was shown in the character of the waitresses and when the main character was asked to make dinner for her husband. Even in the different status's of the character shown in the costumes the males have more authority. For example the nanny or maid who was clearly this due to her maid costume was working for a man. Also when the mother got home she had to rush upstairs to the child. The barmaid was constantly working e it cleaning glasses or pouring drinks throughout the entirety of the film. 

This film shows Laura Mulvey's the male gaze because all of the stereotypes put upon the woman would appear to be from the view of a man rather than that of a women. 
George Gerbners theory is also relevant for this film as at this point in time women were seen in the way that she is presented in that she makes his dinner and is just there too look after her husband. It is likely that this could have been shown with the aim of the 'drip drip' making women and men view women in this way.

Another representation shown in the film was that women are there purely for men's pleasure and entertainment. This was shown in how the main character was to make her husband dinner when she had just got back. It was also shown when the men in the cafe were bothering the woman and wanted pleasure from her. Even when the man got rid of those two men she suggested she would 'thank him later' which we assume means physically which shows how she wants to pleasure him. 

The main character was also shown to be slightly unstable at points, due to her changing emotions very quickly and spontaneously for example when she would burst into tears suddenly or burst into uncontrollable laughter for no obvious reason.

The main character was also shown to be truthful and kind hearted. This was shown in how the whole film was her imagining herself to e telling her husband about her affair. This shows how she wishes she could tell him but for his sake she doesn't showing how he puts his feelings before hers showing her to be an ultimately decent person despite falling in love with another man.

Lastly women are shown to be less educated than men. This is shown but he fact that the husband sits and does a times crossword which is difficult while she sits there sewing. This is also shown by the fact that her boyfriend is a doctor, her husband wears a suit and she spends her time stereotypically shopping. The there women in the film are shown to have jobs like waitress which would not take much intellectual skill. 

Stereotypes of women

Stereotypes of women from TinaHartnell

Introduction to Representation of Women

Key Words...

- Representation - the re-presenting of a reality to an audience by a producer.

- Stereotype - Grouping people because of assumed characteristics.

- Denotation - Actually what you are seeing in front of you.

- Connotation - The way in which things are interpreted and assumed.

- Challenge - To challenge a convention you go against the norm.

- Mediation - This is the process of taking a reality, interpreting it and re-presenting it to the audience.

- Male gaze - This is a theory that the media is made by men for men.

- Self representation - 

- Ideology - messages or values that are embedded in the media.

- Dominant ideology - these are ideologies that are accepted by the majority as the norm in society.

- Hegemony - The ruling class maintains their power through the control of ideas and culture rather than force.

Representation of Women in 'Sket'...

In the first scene of the film four girls are represented to be abusive and violent which goes against the usual stereotype of caring and motherly etc.

In this scene the women is shown to be motherly and caring towards the younger girl which follows the usual stereotype of women.

In this scene men are shown to have power, authority and control over the female character this follows the usual relationship represented between men and women however men are also represented to be caring and protective of women and in this they are shown to be quite rough with her.

Representation of Women in 'Blurred Lines'...

 In this video women are objectified for the pleasure of a male audience. This fits with the theory of the male gaze. This shows women to have the stereotype of wanting to please men however another stereotype of women that is challenged in this video is that women would have more class than this and would respect them  selves more than this.

 The women in the video are wearing very provocative and suggestive clothing that show a lot of flesh in order to achieve the target of entertaining men.
In the video the mens gaze is shown because the men are constantly watching the women as they dance around them.

In this screen shot the singer can actually be seen staring at the woman's bum, and she is shown to be not bothered by this as the continues to dance in front of him.







The theorist that can be connected with this music video is Richard Dyer because he talks about how people are treated affects the way that they are represented.

Representation of Women in 'Chandelier'...

 In this music video the girl is wearing a flesh coloured leotard and is dancing in a way which appears to old for her. This portrays her to be an object that is telling a story rather than a little girl which is what she is.

The subject in the song is about alcoholism and suicide so having a young child dancing about in it goes against the usual conventions of this theme of song. Because this video was very controversial it had over 1million hits on the first night.