The Influence of Media on Views of Gender

Part 1

A critical examination of the ad indicates that women are under-represented in media. It
is vital to acknowledge that women make only about 16 percent of news aired on social media
platforms. The under-representation of women in media helps us understand issues that directly
affect women are often ignored. This vividly explains why gender inequality is still dominant
in our society. Most of the media platforms portray women as passive and dependent on men.
Over the years, the role of women in the contemporary society has been undermined, and that
men are given preference when pertinent issues are at stake (Wood & Fixmer-Oraiz, 2018).
Additionally, the ad helps us understand that women are viewed as a center of attraction for
men. Notably, media portray women as sex objects, and in most of the images women are
either naked or dressed in revealing clothing. From such images, it is evident that men sexually
exploit women because society expects them to be subordinate to men.

Also, the under-representation of women evident in the ad affects their representation in
the corporate world. Media views women as primary caregivers at home who should take care
of all the chores to make life comfortable for their children and husbands. Remarkably,
minimal attention is given to the career lives of women in the media. Despite the titles women
may have in the corporate world, media still represent them as mothers and wives (Rantama,
2018). Additionally, media view women as less competent compared to men, and that men
have a role in saving women from their incompetence. In the commercial world, women are
often shown engaging in minor jobs, including cleaning of bathrooms while men are shown as

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individuals who are in authority in the corporate world. Media also shows us women are
significantly dependent on men who should ensure that they provide the needs and wants of
their wives.

Part 2

Ads that undermine women have had numerous effects on my growth from childhood to
adulthood. One of the effects the ads is that they have made me to believe that women are
incapable of undertaking technical courses in schools because they are incompetent (Ertl et al.,
2017). Media and society have always made us believe that women are supposed to stay at
home and take care of their children and husbands as opposed to going to school. Additionally,
ads that undermine the potential of women affected me growing up because I opted to abandon
my career path because I believed that I could depend on men to meet my needs.

As an individual, there are numerous advices that can help me deal with gendered views
about women. First, I should believe in myself to allow me achieve my dreams in life. I should
pursue all my dreams regardless of what the media says about women as a woman. As much as
women might be undermined in society, some successful women have gone through tough
times to achieve their dreams. Additionally, I have learned that successful women in society
stood strong against all odds in the male dominant environment to achieve their dreams.
Women should exhibit perseverance and dedication to accomplish their goals in life. With the
support of female activism, which is currently conducted globally, organizations are upholding
the rights of women, which advocate for gender equality. Also, I have learned that I have a
role in ensuring that youths, especially girls, are protected from humiliation on social media
platforms resulting from gender bias. It is vital to acknowledge that gender stereotyping can

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lower the self-esteem of girls and lower their academic performance in school, which deprives
them of the opportunity to become prominent women in society.

An image showing under-representation of women in media

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References

Ertl, B., Luttenberger, S., & Paechter, M. (2017). The Impact of Gender Stereotypes on the Self
Concept of Female Students in STEM Subjects with an Under-Representation of Females.
Frontiers in Psychology, 8. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2017.00703
Rantama, A. (2018). Media and women in top positions: The effects of gendered media representations
on women’s career choices.
Wood, J. T., & Fixmer-Oraiz, N. (2018). Gendered lives. Cengage Learning.