A Very Special Conclusion.

So after all of this television watching, what have we noticed?  Despite the different nature of the channels and shows that each of us viewed, there were some definite similarities in depictions of femininity and masculinity in both the shows and their advertisements.  What is clear is that whatever strides we have made in gender equality in real life over the past decades is not quite reflected in day-to-day television.



Masculinity is portrayed in two ways- violently or childishly.  Men are expected to solve their problems with violence and treat women as victims.  Alternately, men are allowed to act like 12 year-olds, without consequence, because their buffoonery is seen as lovable.

Femininity is even more narrowly defined, if that were possible.  Women are expected to be constantly sexual, but also provide surrogate mothering for their buffoonish male.  Even when shows present strong women, they are often undermined by their quest for the man of their dreams.  It is only in this quest that women are shown as aggressive- constantly competing with other women to the point of violence and being generally "catty."

When the genders interact, the women are often the smart ones, while the men are the right ones.  Inevitably, it is the advice, assistance, or physical restraint by a male figure that solves the woman's problems, reinforcing the idea that every woman needs a (preferably strong) man in her life.  This is reflected in advertisements as well- every woman is told that she is not good enough, not pretty enough unless she shops here or buys this. Meanwhile, men find their masculinity propped up in advertisements, as though it were something in danger and under attack by mysterious forces (read: feminism!).

There is something a little discouraging in seeing these patterns across shows and networks. How can you present an alternate image when the dominant culture is so pervasive? On the other hand, perhaps by repeatedly pointing it out and raising awareness, we can change these more sexist parts of popular culture, bit by bit.