Gender Roles And Stereotypes In The Media And Advertising

According to the Oxford dictionary gender is defined as being male or female, often used with reference to social and cultural differences rather than biological ones. For example Biology says 'It 's a Girl! ', and Gender says 'We 'll buy those pink outfits, the Barbie’s and the Dolls House!". One might be born a woman or a man, but that does not necessarily mean that one is therefore born to be either a housewife/homemaker. The media and advertising are at fault for how gender is portrayed on adverts they create gender roles which the public perceive as the correct way to behave. Lips (2001: p14) said that Gender role refers to the attitudes, behaviour, and activities that are socially defined as appropriate for each sex & are learned through the socialization process. This has all created a gender stereotype. The media are a forceful source of gender stereotyping. In adverts women are portrayed as the unintelligent consumer, socially conscious of her purchases, dependant on men and sex objects whereas men are perceived as a figure of authority, handy men and intelligent decision makers. Advertisements try to persuade the public into believing this is how women and men are, want to be or should be. In this essay I will be discussing how femininity is represented in contemporary advertisements.

Evolution of Female Roles in Advertising