Final answer:
Media reinforces stereotypical images of women as subordinate, focusing on looks and criticizing norm-defiance, and of men as either emotionally unavailable or incompetent. It has a profound impact on societal norms and expectations, and while new media offers opportunities for alternative discourse, it also has risks due to its unregulated nature.
Step-by-step explanation:
How Media Reinforces Gender Stereotypes
The media plays a significant role in reinforcing gender stereotypes by promoting particular images of women and men. For women, the media often subordinates them, prioritizing appearance over ability and criticizing those who defy societal norms. Stereotypical portrayals include depicting women as wives and mothers, and in certain cases, presenting them as either saint-like figures or as malevolent, hypersexual characters. Studies have shown that these stereotypes have consequences, such as enhancing negative attitudes towards women.
For men, the media tends to promote four main stereotypes: the strong, silent type; the big shot; the action hero; and the buffoon. These stereotypes often involve themes of dominance, emotional unresponsiveness, aggression, and incompetence, respectively. Such depictions can limit the perceptions of men's roles in society and their emotional complexity.
Impact of Media Stereotypes
With the public consuming over four hours of media content daily, the influence of stereotypical images is substantial, affecting societal norms and expectations. New media presents both risks and opportunities: it can either perpetuate stereotypes or provide a platform for feminist discourse. Nevertheless, there's a warning against the unregulated environment of new media which can facilitate anti-feminist activities.