Mass media forms set societal standards for men and women. These forms shape the way in which society views and identifies male and female characteristics. Mass media projects gender stereotypes as models for the sexes to follow. Men within the media are constructed to be powerful aggressive figures, embracing financial stability and dominant control. Where as the media projects women to be constructed as nurturing figures, concerned with family and sustaining feminine beauty. Often these gender assumptions cast negative representations that place barriers on women to develop and reach their true potential within society. As a result, Celica Benoit author of Women, Work and Social Rights states that gendered stereotypes have made it more difficult for women to be taken seriously within the workplace, adding that male colleagues are more respected in these companies for they are perceived to be more dedicated workers (Benoit, 72). Benoit’s findings indicate that the media’s influence constricts both men and women, as the sexes are forced to conform to gendered ideals.
These gender codes become heavily assimilated within mass media and marketing, as many advertisers display men and women to portray stereotypical gender norms and roles. Often these advertisements illustrate men and women differently, altering the way in which society views the sexes. Women within advertisements are often displayed in a sexualized nature that exposes females as vulnerable defenseless figures (Jhally, 2009). Men within ads are often seen in stances that embrace power and status. Male advertisements conform to gender stereotypes and use body language to convey men as powerful, aggressive beings. (Jhally, 2009). Body language within advertisements allows companies to construct gender identity and reinforce genderalized norms. Creating advertisements that construct to gender enables these companies to effectively market, as they are able to evoke identity through these products.
Advertisements marketed toward children expose gender identities and roles. These ads assist children in constructing gender identity, by displaying ads of children conforming to gender roles. For instance, famous toy company Hasbro Inc. created a product called the “Easy Bake Oven”, which targeted young girls between the ages of 4-10 years old. The company created and marketed a product that was associated with feminine domestic roles and practises. The Easy Bake Oven advertisements featured young girls participating in feminine domestic practises (gender role), and deemed these domestic activities of baking as a fun hobby for girls.
Psychologist Lawrence Kohl perceives gender identity to be constructed within the early stages of childhood (Blakemore, 206 ).It is through mass media messages that showcase masculine and feminine roles as the “norm” for society. Children at a very young age have a strong desire to fit in and feel accepted amongst there peers. Media images and mass messages in advertisements aid children in constructing identity by presenting gender roles as the “norm”. Masculine and feminine functions become assimilated into modern culture, and are rendered to society as the common ideal for men and women.
It becomes apparent that gender is socially and culturally constructed through media outlets. These media forms are extremely influential and can alter the way in which society perceives gender.