Gender Oppression in Hollywood TV Shows from the 2000s to Present - Research Paper Example

Gender Oppression in Hollywood TV Shows from 2000s to Present Introduction The case of gender inequality, which therefore makes the theme of gender oppression, parity and stereotype plausible, has been the center of many studies in social sciences. Gender oppression is a problem that has taken hold of the society and is culminated with gender inequality. Studies aimed at looking deeply in the media to uncover facts on how males and females are represented have findings that speak for themselves. Hollywood being one of the most prolific players in the entertainment industry is the center of focus when it comes to gender oppression being that most of the roles in the TV shows have to be taken by males and females. Gender parity in the media can be explained using the social theory that is the driving force behind most of the studies seeking to unveil gender oppression. This paper seeks to study the aspect of gender oppression in Hollywood TV shows from the period of 2000 to the present. Gender Oppression as a Societal Concern: Who it affects and how it affects them Hollywood employs both females and females as actors. The bone of contention, however, is the ratio of the employment. Smith et al (1) indicate an underrepresentation of female characters both in on screen and behind the camera. Across the years observed from 2007 to 2012, the rate of females that is both women and girls has shown minimal significant increase between the period under consideration. Contrary to this men, have the largest and even representation in both on screen and behind the camera. This shows that despite the gender inequality being a societal issue, it is heavily rooted in the media across place and time. Hollywood being one of such media that employs human resource is also likely to align to the same norm observed in almost every film. The studies examining the roles of speaking characters in top films, uncovers that females are underrepresented onscreen in 2012 films. The primary characterization of women representation in Hollywood TV shows constitutes demeaning and oppression. The percentage of females who are represented is 28.47% out of all the 4475 speaking characters (Ridgeway 88). Two issues of social concern emerge from this study: gender portrayal and gender inequality. The two that sound similar are shown to be different in the study. In terms of gender portrayal, the study by Smith et al (9) suggests that the females in top TV shows as per the year 2012 form a percentage of 31%. The percentage stated represents the women portrayed to have sexy attire compared to 10% of men (Smith et al 6). This statistic correlates with the age of the females that appear on screen. This really is an indication of hyper-sexualization, this time in the favor of women. This unique phenomenon is also taking hold of the Hollywood shows in the 20th century. Gender inequality is a societal issue that has been subjected to critical discussion across the world. Ridgeway (292) conducts a research and suggest that gender oppression is innate meaning that it hails right from that period when one is born. Women have always been subjected to widespread oppression since time immemorial; this begins right from the time they are born. Additionally, it is evident from the research that the reason why the social phenomenon of gender oppression is rooted in the society is because most of the people are born in it and therefore they are forced to either live in it or perpetrate it (Stroud 238). This really explains why the problem remains rooted in the society. As such any scholar or researcher yearning to venture in the field of sociology based on gender inequality, should be successful being that there is available data from the societal settings. Sexist ideologies are the propellants of gender inequality. Brandt (1414) asserts that sexist ideologies are hierarchy enhancing myths that are associated with lower likelihood of support for women in the male dominated educational as well as occupational arena. Again in this study, an emphasis on gender inequality being something that has been in the society since time in memorial is placed. Hollywood draws people from different races and who have diverse social and cultural backgrounds (Brandt 1413 & Chloe and Smith Par. 2). The employees therefore are bound to have diverse mindsets. As a result the employees are more aligned to a given group of people based on their differences in gender. Brandt (1418) further shows that the employees and the managers at Hollywood are more likely to produce TV shows that are loaded with contents that portray gender oppression, parities, and stereotypes. Chloe and Smith (par 4) suggest that the roles played by characters also show some form of gender inequality. In their study they found out that out of the 67 films that were analyzed, males took the lead by having 55 whereas the females only twelve. This shows a higher discrepancy, the same reflecting the misrepresentation of women on other TV shows apart from Hollywood (Chloe and Smith Par. 9). Additionally, this misrepresentation in the year 2012 depicts how women are least represented in positions that they can equally perform well just like men. Men are presented as saviors, protectors, know it all and sole bread winners in the society, through the TV shows. On the other hand women are shown as objects meant to bring out the character of the males (Chloe and Smith Par.5). Even though situations exist when women lead characters are given opportunity, they openly display the feminism. This act alone perpetrates the act of male chauvinism, since the women are a complete opposite of the male lead characters. They are presented as people who lack confidence and that their identities are tied to a male character. Female characters are also presented as pleasure materials for men. Smith et al corroborates Chloe and Smith (Par.8 and Par. 10), by stating that women in particular girls and ladies are presented as objects of men. This objectification is feared to spread all over the world since Hollywood products are of global consumption. As such dealing with the problem of gender inequality is very hard due to continuity offered by the media. The themes presented or developed by the female content created are limited by the genres as well as other myriad of barriers in the industry. Guns are always associated with masculinity as suggested by a number of movies and TV shows. Stroud (228) supports this by stating that only privileged men are licensed to carry a gun. In this study, most of the men questioned reported that they had purpose behind the use of their concealed guns. Some of the reasons given included: guns help them protect their families (Children and wives) and wealth, to cover up for their lost strength due to old age, and for self defense against jeopardy that is hanging low and can befall them any time (Stroud 220). Therefore females are not associated with gun carrying because they are termed as weak sexes. The latter is often protected by the males who have the capacity and ability to handle weapons of such caliber. Fighting Gender Oppression in the society The process of fighting gender inequality is a step by step approach. The first step is accepting that it really happens in the society. Policy makers within Hollywood and other players in the entertainment industry should formulate social policies that are aimed at gender equality (Smith et al 9 & Chloe and Smith Par. 11). This will close the gap that exists currently in gender balance even at the society level. Additionally, research should also focus on the phenomenon as it is to unveil combative measures that will altogether mitigate it. For example, Smith et al (9) recommends that research should be done with emphasis and consideration on empirical and theoretical reasons as to why women are least represented both on screen and behind the scenes. Brandt (1415) on the other hand proposes that people should fight against gender hierarchy in the best way possible. The tenets that should be of focus should be ideological forces that drive employment decisions, violence against women and encourage inequity in gender. Conclusion Gender oppression is a problem that has taken hold of the society and is culminated with gender inequality. The problem is real and existent in most societies in the contemporary world. However, more females are subjected to gender inequality than men and thus they are the most oppressed in Hollywood TV shows. This is reflected from the differences in roles that are played by male and female characters. Sexist ideologies have taken root of any social setting thus encouraging gender inequality. Good news is that this social phenomenon is able to be eradicated through research, activism if need be, and social policy formulations. The 21st century Hollywood and other social contexts should avoid spreading further gender inequality; this can be achieved by assigning both genders roles that promotes equality and minimizes oppression views. Works Cited . Brandt, Mark J. "Sexism and gender inequality across 57 societies." Psychological Science (2011): 1-17, 0956797611420445. Chloe Beigley and Smith Jeff. ‘Normalizing Male Dominance: Gender Representation in 2012 Films.’ February 12, 2013. Ridgeway, Cecilia L. Framed by Gender: How Gender Inequality Persists in the Modern World. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2011. Print. Stroud, Angela. "Good Guys with Guns Hegemonic Masculinity and Concealed Handguns." Gender & Society 26.2 (2012): 216-238 Smith Stacy, Marc Choueiti, Elizabeth Scofield, and Katherine Pieper. "Gender Inequality in 500 Popular Films: Examining On-Screen Portrayals and Behind-the-Scenes Employment Patterns in Motion Pictures Released between 2007- 2012." Annenberg School for Communication & Journalism Report, University of Southern California (2013). Read More