Representation in Media

What is representation?

Representation is a fluid, two-way process: producers position a text somewhere in relation to reality and audiences assess a text on its relationship to reality.

Gender

Media presents to an audience people, as well as objects, that are masculine or feminine. Usually, femininity focuses on beauty, size, physique, sexuality, and emotional. Masculinity usually focuses on strength, power, sexual attractiveness, physique, independence.

In terms of narrative, women are often represented as passive, rather than active. Victims are also predominately a women’s role, such as the overused damsel in distress. Even those protagonists who are women, are characterized by their beauty, to the near exclusion of any other values. These protagonists do not accurately display the actual thoughts and pressures of real women.

Men are often portrayed as the “lone wolf”. Transitions in media from the extremely muscular action hero to even the average office work being muscular has caused serious identity issues in teenage boys. Males in product promotion are the new remodels for young men, often leaving unrealistic body images and emotion.

Race

Race in media can often be represented by racial stereotypes. These stereo types are often based in propagated myths about a race or ethnic group. Thought many successful African-American actor, for example, have removed many of the “stock” characters, black representation in some media is often negative. Often media texts will portray a trashy individual, inviting viewers to make a downward comparison, categorizing these “trashy” characteristics to an entire cultural group.

Age

Age is probably the easiest way to separate ourselves from others. Young people are often represented as immature, stupid, gullible, careless, and selfish. Old people are depicted as outdated, slow, weak, unhealthy, and grumpy. Unlike those of race and gender, stereotyping in age continues to exist in mainstream media.

Age, like race, is something one cannot control. Despite this fact, many try to hide their age by dyeing hair, wearing youthful clothes, and plastic surgery. This is because society lifts youthful beauty on a pedestal and casts the wisdom and experience that comes with age to the side. Women are especially susceptible to this process, being criticized on both sides, young or old.

Disability

In media, common representation can be defined by three character types: victim, hero, and villain.

The victim is likely common stereotype. This person is portrayed as helpless and in need of help, an object in need of empathy and sympathy. This type of character may also be used for comedy, using the disability to place them in comedic situations.

The hero is the opposite of the victim. This character overcomes their disabilities and prove their worth. Those these may seem better than the victim, a stereotype is still a stereotype. This type of character presents a disability as a challenge to overcome to be normal. It teaches the audience that they do not need to accommodate a person with a disability, the person just needs to overcome it.

The third stereotype is the villain. Throughout cinematic history, physical disabilities have been use to suggest evil. Many villains are depicted being driven to crime because of a disability.

Sources

http://mediasmarts.ca/diversity-media/persons-disabilities/common-portrayals-persons-disabilities

http://www.mediaknowall.com/as_alevel/alevkeyconcepts/alevelkeycon.php?pageID=represent