Humanities Homework Help

Sociologists have repeatedly shown representations of gender in the media support patriarchy and the “Beauty Myth”. Please provide 2 examples of this from any media source (TV; magazines; film; posters, etc.).

In your answer please explain:

The image

The symbolism of the image

Why this is an example of gender inequality

Example:

Image

On the TV program, Two and a Half Men, women are portrayed in limited ways: as a virgin (the good girl); the whore (the “hot” chicks who indiscriminately sleep with Charlie); the “crazy” female (Rose – the neighbor); and the crone – old women who are not sexual creatures (Mother, the maid).

Symbolism

This portrayal of women values and ranks them on a scale of potential sex partners – with potential partners ranking as high status / value and women who are not potential sex partners as low status / value.

For example, Charlie has multiple female sex partners – many of which were one-night-stands; Charlie’s brother had difficulty finding a “normal” woman and consistently deals with his ex-wife who is aggressive and at one time becomes a lesbian; and their mother who is portrayed as a hag.

Gender Inequality

This is an example of patriarchy. Women are defined in relationship to men on this show. This creates a power dimension where women are below men. It also is an example of the Beauty Myth as the women the men are interested in are bound to beauty and are not valued as whole people.