Television & Representation

The most common forms of representation in our culture serve the dominant interests.

Dominant groups are promoted as 'normal' and dismiss other groups as 'abnormal'. The sub-ordinate groups attempt to gain recognition and status.

Television relies on the dominant views of gender roles and stereotypes of femininity and masculinity. Most institutions are set up by males and reflect their input and decisions.

E.g. 
                Dominant                                          Sub-ordinate
         

                 Male                                                          Female

                 White                                                        Other ethnic groups

                 Middle class                                             Working class

                 Middle aged                                             The young/ The old

                 Heterosexual                                            Homosexual/ Bi-sexual

                 Able-bodied                                             Disabled

There is also a major difference between the terms sex and gender:

Sex - Defines biological differences to seperate men+women. Little room for debate.

Gender - Cultural qualities, change over time, debatable. 

E.g.       

              Masculinity                                   Femininity

  

             Professional                                   Domesticated

             Strong                                            Weak

             Rational                                         Emotional                 _______     These are stereotypical

            Competitive                                   Co-operative                                 qualities and conventional

            Independent                                   Communal                                    representations.

           Aggressive                                      Passive

           Ruthless                                          Sensitive

           Ambitious                                       Supportive

  

Characters which differ from these conventional qualities will often be portrayed in a negative light.