Abstract
Various portrayals of stereotypes are being widely circulated in the media, which happened to be an aspect of the society that ought to be put into some consideration. The mere fact that these representations being exposed to a wide range of young audience makes the matter more severe as it could lead to a breakdown of social order.
It is essential for a person to understand the importance of media literacy so that he/she would be able to differentiate between positive and negative media representations. The effects of such portrayals are discussed in depth throughout this review. Deductions from previous survey data are also included to support the information provided. Analysis showed that a large percentage of young audience was not aware of the term, Stereotypes, and they were blindly following them. Therefore, this research is more focused on the exposure levels and methods of stereotypes on young adolecents’, and their consequences.
Keywords
Men stereotypes, Low self-esteem, Negative Media Representations.
Introduction: Media Stereotypes
Stereotypes are generalizations which are being applied to certain groups or individuals based on their behaviour, social role, appearance, occupation, etc. These generalizations fulfill the purpose of giving the audience a quick understanding of the information depicted through media forms like advertising, entertainment and news.
Stereotypes exists everywhere as media is one of the main ways for stereotypes to get accepted by people among society, even though they can be misrepresented by the media. Gender stereotypes can be found more frequently in the media people consume every day. Media portrayals of male are often depicted in forms like rich, muscular, etc. How men supposed to be in society is clearly conveyed through stereotypes, embedded in entertainment and various media outlets, such as magazines, movies and television.
Hence, it has a great tendency of changing the mindset of the readers, especially young people, who often begin to apply this knowledge blindly to refine their lives.
Gender Stereotypes
Advertisements on certain products and information, which are only displayed by the most physically attractive models, have been quite a norm for a while in the media. Every day millions of teenagers are exposed to such carriers for negative stereotypes directed at both men and women. Young audience often develop self-esteem problems, as they prefer to look like the unrealistically portrayed models. Such negative stereotypes of people has a negative effect on personal interpretation of young people. Stereotypes are used mainly to save thought about people or objects (Plotnik, 2005). Teenagers save thoughts in their mind about other teenagers appear in the media and feel that unless they look as perfect as the models do, they are not good enough. (The Effects of Magazines on the Self-Esteem and Portrayal of Stereotypes in Teenagers, Thomas Waltz, 2004)
Surveys and researches conducted on male stereotypes revealed that most of the young audience witnessed a gradual change in their lives. In conclusion, media is responsible for many false representations being forced on and negatively affecting teenagers today. Advertisements tend to promote the possession of various things as a valuable, essential attribute to have, while lowering the self-esteem of men who do not own the trendiest fashions or have perfect six-pack abs. Teenagers should beware of the possible effects of the harmful influence of stereotypes and take care that they, the audience, are not held back in their quest for becoming a contributing member of society.
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