Gender Representation in Film

Reid, Alastair. Open Gender Tracker Analyses Gender Balance in the Media. 15 May 2013. 

March 6, 2023

While gender plays a large role in media, men have primarily been the dominating factor. The male depiction in media is powerful, strong, authoritative and rational whereas females are more likely to be submissive, compliant, and dependent. These stereotypes can be seen in all forms of mass media such as television, film, radio, social media, and even advertisements. For example, in the movie Baywatch, the women are often young and found running in the sand in small bathing suits. This represents them as being playful and sometimes unintelligent. Men however, are depicted as strong and important with large muscles and small shirts. Females in film have developed the role of needing to be saved by men and this in turn has created an inaccurate view of women for younger people watching media. Around the world, women are far less likely to be seen in film compared to a man. This is not only seen in film however. Common stereotypical women in advertisement are in weak roles or positions, portrayed as housewives or sex objects, or even showcased as being silent. In an advertisement for the beer brand St. Pauli Girl, there is a blond haired blue eyed woman in a tight shirt holding multiple beers. This advertising was centered towards the male audience and they may be more inclined to purchase it because of the photo. Advertising with a main male though is different. Many different cologne brands, such as Burberry or Polo, contain ads with shirtless men on the beach or in the city attracting women. This creates a very one-sided view of men in the industry and creates generally untrue stereotypes.