Induction Report Task

Explore how gender is represented  in at least two examples from the media ( TV, magazines , music videos , games, film, TV advertising etc) . You should include both print and audiovisual examples.

Throughout the years, both genders have faced hardcore stereotypes that have been adapted through media texts; print based such as newspapers or magazines but also in audiovisual examples such as movies and commercials. Most typically, in the media there are 2 ways of portraying a women; one is as a sex symbol and many people would see them as an object and use degrading words to describe them. However, another perspective that women are viewed as is a housewife that enjoys doing simple house chores and take care of their children while their husbands go out and do the hard labour work. In contrast, men are viewed as more hardworking and the ones who usually provide for their family financially. 

In this late 1939 magazine cover on the right, there is a woman who is tied up to what looks like a wheel while a Nazi soldier is contemplating on setting her on fire. This clearly shows the traditional stereotype that men back in the day were conveyed as dominant and had full power over women which portrayed the image that women are helpless and submissive. Apart from the fact that women we're and still are objectified, in also emphasises that they are also seen as a sex symbol; the heading includes 'sex cult' which further adds to the fact the women we're not treated with respect and was only viewed as something you can play around with. Furthermore, in the newspaper article it states '10 faults that make you repulsive to women' which depicts that back then society had such a hatred towards women that people (mostly upperclassmen) would try and convince to other men that the mindset they should have is that women we're this disgusting and repulsive thing that they should make the most out of. It is also shown in the magazine cover as it shows the Nazi soldier pouring bleach underneath the woman, who is seen to be screaming and begging them to let her go, while the other soldier would drop the lighter causing the woman to get burned alive. Moreover, the following words of 'MAN'S STORY' is very significant as it is written in big bold letters and coloured in red which indicates the superiority they have amongst the other sex. It also says 'man's' story which adds on to the idea that they are kind of like the main characters in a sense while the women are side characters. To many women this stereotype is seen negatively as it tells society that women don't have a purpose in their life unless its household duties or being seen as a sex toy for men. 

Link to sexist Yorkie chocolate bar advert
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GVXnyD93qc

On the contrary, there is a significant difference when it comes to sexist stereotypes towards men. Men back then and unfortunately even know are viewed as the backbone of society and the people who have to be strong for their people. In the advertisement  it shows a woman who has to dress up as a man in order to buy the Yorkie chocolate bar which is seen as very sexist as the company is trying to indicate that their chocolate is only for the dominant and strong willed. Once the woman has gone into the shop and is paying for the chocolate bar, the man behind the till starts to question her and makes her do 'manly' actives to test her strength, fears and more. Evidently, this suggests that in order to buy a Yorkie you obviously have to be a male and can be sure to clearly identify their strength and manhood. The male gender is represented in the media as people who have self control and has control over others, they also are viewed as people who are aggressive, financially capable of doing things themselves with no women's help  and also guaranteed to get themselves into physical violence; for example the world wars. Some people may view this stereotype as a positive thing for men as it makes them seem superior and capable of doing things for themselves but others may think that it is controversial as it implies that men are not allowed to show signs of weakness or emotions.

Furthermore, to add on to the stereotypical view that woman are all housewives and belong in the kitchen to cook and clean; it is harder and more extreme when black woman are in newspaper article covers like this because it shows that they enjoy working for higher class people given their backstory of slavery and discrimination. In the newspaper cover is shows that the lady is saying "I'se sure got a good job Now!" This conveys that she finds the job of being a maid a great opportunity even though society knows that that is classified as a low paid job. In addition, a man with the name Stuart Hall has given his ideas of representation in the media; he states that the idea is stereotyping tends to occur when there is an inequality of power which is clearly shown in this magazine cover as it shows a black woman who is a maid that is proud to be working for someone who is clearly seen to be superior to them; this shows a sense of inequality.