How Are Women Portrayed on Television Today?
While there have been significant improvements in the image of women as far as what they are capable of and what they can do on television, it almost seems as if we as a society are reverting back into old habits by making women attractive housewives who rely on their husbands and putting them back on television. We are beginning to see more women on television in skimpy outfits or trotting around in high heels. These images are hurting women. Television is one of the main agents of socialization in America today; with many shows exploiting women’s sexuality, these types of behaviors become expected. Children are very impressionable and they do watch television; if they see these images of women being housewives or dressing provocatively with their husbands going off to work, they are more likely to think that this is the norm in society and are more likely to imitate this behavior. Brasted, 2010, suggests that “children may come to believe life is supposed to be like it is portrayed in commercials” and television.
Women are often portrayed on television in a very stereotypical way. In particular, in the case of soap operas, sex-role stereotypes are reinforced for both males and females. In these programs, women are often seen dressed up with their hair and make-up done, looking after the children and staying in the house all day while the men in these shows go out to work.
There are some television programs where women are portrayed as smart and having good, well paying jobs, but often times, this comes at the cost of looks. The Big Bang Theory, for example, has a regular character who is a female neuroscientist but often dresses in baggy clothing with messy hair and no makeup. Penny however, another female lead on the show, is always in skimpy clothing with her hair done and makeup on; her physical attributes are all that there is to her. She is the dumb blonde stereotype. This show shows audiences that women can be beautiful or smart, but that they cannot be both.
With such programs, like reality television, women reputations are once again on the line for audiences at home. Although not all women are the way that these women are, this is the reputation that viewers are getting of women everywhere. Furthermore, these images are giving young girls an unrealistic expectation of what they should become.
Women are often portrayed on television in a very stereotypical way. In particular, in the case of soap operas, sex-role stereotypes are reinforced for both males and females. In these programs, women are often seen dressed up with their hair and make-up done, looking after the children and staying in the house all day while the men in these shows go out to work.
There are some television programs where women are portrayed as smart and having good, well paying jobs, but often times, this comes at the cost of looks. The Big Bang Theory, for example, has a regular character who is a female neuroscientist but often dresses in baggy clothing with messy hair and no makeup. Penny however, another female lead on the show, is always in skimpy clothing with her hair done and makeup on; her physical attributes are all that there is to her. She is the dumb blonde stereotype. This show shows audiences that women can be beautiful or smart, but that they cannot be both.
With such programs, like reality television, women reputations are once again on the line for audiences at home. Although not all women are the way that these women are, this is the reputation that viewers are getting of women everywhere. Furthermore, these images are giving young girls an unrealistic expectation of what they should become.