Toxic Masculinity and Media Representation
This page delves into the concept of toxic masculinity, its impact on both men and women, and examines how gender is portrayed in media and advertising.
Toxic Masculinity
The text explains how societal expectations can be harmful to men:
- Pressure to conform to traditional masculine ideals
- Criticism for showing emotions or not being "manly" enough
- Often enforced by male peers
Definition: Toxic masculinity refers to harmful social pressures on men to endorse traditional masculine traits, often at the expense of their emotional well-being.
Impact on Women
Women also face challenges due to societal ideals:
- Pressure to meet unrealistic beauty standards
- Self-hatred and negative body image
- High personal expectations
Highlight: Both men and women suffer from societal ideals that don't accommodate diversity in appearance or behavior.
Positive Developments
The text notes some progress in challenging harmful stereotypes:
- Increased campaigns celebrating diverse body types
- Growing awareness of the harm caused by unrealistic standards
Gender in Advertising
The page explores how gender in advertising perpetuates stereotypes:
- Depicts "commercial realism" that reinforces gender roles
- Influences body image and self-perception
- Maintains social constructions of gender
Vocabulary: "Commercial realism" refers to the way advertisements present a stylized version of reality that seems normal but actually reinforces social norms.
Representation of Men in Advertising
Male representation often includes:
- Upright posture and serious expressions
- Adventurous and physically active portrayals
- Focus on facial and hand shots
Representation of Women in Advertising
Female representation typically involves:
- Submissive postures and confused expressions
- Sexualized and vulnerable portrayals
- Full-body shots that objectify
Example: In advertising, men are often shown with facial close-ups emphasizing strength, while women are frequently depicted in full-body shots that objectify their appearance.
Body Image in Advertising
The text highlights how advertising impacts body image:
- Sets unrealistic expectations for physical appearance
- Rarely represents diverse body types, especially for men
- Uses idealized models that don't reflect reality
Quote: "Advertising is a tool to maintain certain social constructions (gender)."
