Source: http://www.medialit.org/reading_room/article39.html

How do Media Images of Men Affect Our Lives?
Re-Imagining the American Dream
By Sam Femiano and Mark Nickerson

Stereotype is defined as a common society perception on a certain group of people or individuals based on early assumption on noticeable traits. Like all the other groups of people, men have also fallen prey to stereotyping.

In many ways, media plays a major part affecting men’s perception by portraying images of men based on stereotypes.

In the article “How do Media Images of Men Affect Our Lives?” S. Femiano and M. Nickerson, (1989) writes:

Bravery, adventurousness, being able to think rationally, being strong and effective, for example, are all "manly" traits that are usually encouraged. So also are the ability to think independently and take the initiative.

Practices of personalities which are deemed unmanly are discouraged. “According to S. Femiano and M. Nickerson (1989), ability to feel… fear, hurt, confusion or despair… talking about these feelings is considered unmanly. Men are also not encouraged to learn to work cooperatively without the need for control, to love in a nonsexual way, to have friendships or to solve conflicts without violence.” Nevertheless, those who strayed from these constricted masculine guidelines will face discrimination. But these can also cause men not being able to “live up to their full potential as human being.”

A lot of research has been done over the years focusing on the severity of media stereotypes. Mainly of them spotlight on the surface of the issue in general but few have offer a solution to cure this issue.

This article discusses the affects of media stereotypes on men and helps creates awareness of it.