Gender Portrayals in the Media - Research Paper Example

A review of violence cases in the Deadliest catch identifies more verbal violence than physical violence. The reported cases also vary across the seasons with the highest cases in season seven followed by season six and season eight having the least number of violence cases. This identifies a deviation from the traditional masculinity behavior that expects men to be more physical than verbal and the show, therefore, appears to criticize the existing gender framework and advocate for a less violent society. The power concept of the reality show however maintains the status quo and portrays the real power scopes in the society. Being a male-oriented show, it is consistent with the traditional construct in which social status, education and career, bragging, and ambition are social points of focus. Business and education is the most significant type of power, followed by social status, ambition, and bragging while female characteristics that include manipulation and coercion, and gossip are less significant across all seasons of the reality show. Money concept is also significant across all seasons and is more prevalent than provision for basic needs that is more biased towards feminism. Physical strength also dominates the play while sexualization is a minor factor. Personality traits among crewmembers in the deadliest catch also identify the significance of masculine features such as independence and emotional strength as compared to dependence and emotional weakness that is characteristic of the female gender. These traits, therefore, identify the series with a traditional mindset of a masculine society with reservation on violence and this identifies consistency with expectations of the theme of an anticipated reality in the society.

Data on violence from the Real Housewives of Orange County also communicates traditional feminine non-physical traits through higher rates of verbal attacks than physical attacks. Traditional constructs of a male dominant society are also identifiable from the significance of man-to-woman attacks as compared to woman-to-man and man-to-man attacks. Isolated data from season five stresses the women’s victimization in violence by men. Overall statistics on women also indicate the significance of violence with personal attacks, hitting and punching, and verbal attacks. Season 7, however, identifies the higher level of verbal attacks and like the Deadliest Catch series, the Real Housewives of Orange County demonstrates the traditional gender framework in which men are associated with more physical power than women are. The series however contradicts the violent concept of power by identifying significant violence from women. It therefore also demonstrates reality in traditional gender construct, but advocates for change in the violent aspect of power. The two series, therefore, correspond to the hypothetical expectation of reality themes that may be exaggerated to convey idealism. Their concept of power is consistent with existing knowledge from literature though they are critical of gender-based violence.  

The research is however not comprehensive in its objectives as it fails to collect data for understanding how gender roles are developed in the shows. Diversifying the research scope to use a mixed research method, in which qualitative data would be collected from sociology experts, would be a more comprehensive approach. This would require the application of ethnography research design to understand the relationship between cultural values and their incorporation in the shows. The study’s findings identify the need to transform the violent aspect of power in order to eliminate the male-dominated violence against women. This is because of the shows’ consistent critical approach to male-based violence and this indicates that the reality is not fair and an alternative ideal is necessary. The results further illustrate a society that is sensitive to gender roles but identify physical violence as a potential threat to physical well-being as it is significant in society. The significance of reality shows in communicating gender-based issues is also notable in the two shows.

The findings are therefore consistent with existing knowledge on the role of reality shows but also identify violence as a social problem because of the involved victimization. Incorporation of qualitative aspects of research is recommended for improving the scopes of future research on the subject.