Unveiling the Bias: Gender Discrimination in Media.pdf

Mass media, encompassing film, television, news, advertising, and social media, wields significant influence in shaping societal norms and perceptions of gender.

1. R. R. EDUCATIONAL TRUST’S B.ED. COLLEGE
NAAC ACCREDITED, AFFILIATED TO UNIVERSITY OF MUMBAI,
NCTE APPROVED

NAME: NIRALI PATEL
CLASS: FYB.ED
UNDE THE GUIDANCE OF: MRS. ADITI TAWRE
TOPIC: UNVEILING THE BIAS:
GENDER DISCRIMINATION IN MEDIA

2. UNVEILING
THE BIAS:
GENDER DISCRIMINATION IN
MEDIA

3. INTRODUCTION
Mass media, encompassing film, television, news,
advertising, and social media, wields significant influence
in shaping societal norms and perceptions of gender.
Definition: Gender discrimination in media refers to the
differential treatment, underrepresentation, and
stereotypical portrayal of individuals based on their gender,
perpetuating harmful biases.
Key Issue: Media frequently mirrors and reinforces existing
patriarchal and traditional gender roles.

4. THE PROBLEM:
UNDERREPRESENTATION Women are significantly underrepresented across all forms of
media, implying that men are the cultural “standard.” For
instance, women make up only 37% of speaking roles in films,
and only 24% of the people seen or heard in news content—
whether on TV, radio, or in print—are women. In children’s
programming, males outnumber females by two to one. This
“symbolic annihilation” suggests that women are less important
or even invisible, potentially impacting self-perception and
career aspirations in young audiences.

5. STEREOTYPICAL
PORTRAYALS:
WOMEN
Common Stereotypes: Women are often portrayed in
limited, traditional roles such as homemakers, caregivers,
or romantic interests. They are depicted as young, thin,
beautiful, passive, dependent, and overly emotional.
Women are frequently objectified and sexualized as "eye
candy," promoting unrealistic beauty standards and body
image issues. Professional women are sometimes
portrayed as "hard" or "bitchy" to justify their deviation
from traditional roles.

6. STEREOTYPICAL
PORTRAYALS: MENCommon Stereotypes: Men are often depicted as tough,
independent, aggressive, dominant, and in control of their
emotions.
- Rarely shown doing housework or caring for children,
often caricatured as incompetent in domestic roles.
- The pressure to conform to this hypermasculine "ideal"
can lead to mental health issues and a reluctance to seek
help or express vulnerability.

7. BEHIND THE CAMERA: THE INDUSTRY GAP
ONLY ABOUT 7% OF DIRECTORS, 13% OF WRITERS,
AND 20% OF PRODUCERS ARE FEMALE.
The Pipeline Problem: The media industry is heavily male-dominated in decision-making roles.
- Consequences: This lack of female content creators leads to a scarcity of diverse female stories and
perspectives. Hiring even one woman writer on a film has been shown to increase screen time for
female characters.
Workplace Issues: Women in media face higher rates of sexual harassment and violence, both online
and in the field.

8. Positive ChangeFeminist
Movements: Activism (e.g., #MeToo,
anti-obscenity movements) has
brought awareness and pressure for
change. Industry Initiatives: Efforts like
the BBC's 50:50 Project show that
targeted initiatives can increase
women's representation as expert
sources.
PROGRESS POSITIVE CHANGE
TO LOOK FORWARD
Positive Examples: The rise of diverse
and non-stereotypical characters in
modern media, including non-binary
and transgender representation, and
strong female leads in film and TV.

9. SOCIETAL IMPACT &
CONSEQUENCES
SHAPING REALITY:

10. Shapes Aspirations
Media portrayals influence children's
aspirations and career choices by
suggesting certain fields are "male" or
"female" domains.Influences Self-Perception Links to body dissatisfaction, low self-
esteem, anxiety, and eating disorders.
Perpetuates Bias
Reinforces biases and discrimination in the
workplace and personal relationships.
MIRRORING
INEQUALITY: MEDIA'S
IMPACT ON SOCIETY
Media portrayals influence how we see ourselves and
others, reinforcing the idea that gender inequality is
"normal". Psychological Effects: Links to body
dissatisfaction, low self-esteem, anxiety, eating disorders,
and distorted ideas about relationships. Normalizing
Violence: Repeated exposure to sexualized violence in
media is linked to greater tolerance or approval of violence
against women.

11. CHANGING THE CHANNEL: STRATEGIES FOR
EQUALITY
Increase Female Representation: Actively
promote women in decision-making roles
(directors, writers, producers).
Challenge Stereotypes: Create content that
shows diverse, complex, and non-stereotypical
gender roles and identities.
Hashtag Activism: Social movements like
#MeToo have leveraged social media to bring
gender issues to the forefront of public discourse.
Media Literacy: Educate audiences, especially
children, to critically analyze media messages and
their impact.

12. The goal is a media
landscape that provides
equitable and authentic
representation for all
genders, reflecting the
true diversity and
potential of the human
experience.
Support media content
that promotes positive
and diverse gender roles.
Advocate for greater
diversity and inclusion in
media production teams.
Be a critical consumer of
media and challenge
harmful stereotypes
when you see them.
Gender discrimination in
mass media is a
persistent problem with
significant real-world
consequences.
Progress requires
conscious, collective
effort from content
creators, industry leaders,
and consumers alike.
CONCLUSION & CALL TO ACTION
A FAIRER REFLECTION FOR THE FUTURE

13. REFERENCES [1] Global Media Monitoring Project (GMMP). "Who Makes the News?
Global Media Monitoring Project 2020." (Specific stats for news
coverage and advertising bias)
[2] Smith, Stacy L., et al. "Inclusion in the Director’s Chair? Gender,
Race & Ethnicity Among Directors Working on the 100 Top-Grossing
Films of 2013-2022." USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative. (Specific stats
for speaking roles and characterization)
[3] Lauzen, Martha M. "The Celluloid Ceiling: Behind-the-Scenes
Employment of Women on the Top 100, 250, and 500 Films of 2023."
Center for the Study of Women in Television and Film, San Diego State
University. (Specific stats for directors, writers, and behind-the-scenes
roles).
[4] American Psychological Association (APA). "Report of the APA Task
Force on the Sexualization of Girls." American Psychologist, 2007, 62(4),
217–243. (Academic source for impact on body image, self-esteem, and
career aspirations).
[5] The Hollywood Reporter 2023 Women in Entertainment Power
100." The Hollywood Reporter. (Industry reports often cover the pay
gap and workplace issues).
[6] Online Violence Against Women Journalists: A Global Snapshot of
Incidence and Impacts." UNESCO and ICFJ, 2020. (Data on harassment
of journalists).