Final answer:
Girls use media mainly for social connections, while boys are more inclined towards media for entertainment. Gender differences in media use among adolescents are reinforced by cultural and social norms, influenced by the portrayal of gender roles in the media.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct option : b
Research into adolescents' media use reveals gender differences that are both cultural and social rather than biological. Mass media, as an agent of gender socialization, tends to reinforce traditional gender roles where women are typically in less significant roles and are often portrayed in limiting ways. This media portrayal directly influences gender norms and expectations. As such, girls often use media to maintain social connections, seeking interaction and community, while boys more frequently engage with media for entertainment purposes, including gaming and watching TV. Research on video game violence also supports this difference in utilization, where boys might demonstrate more aggressive behavior after playing violent games.
Focusing on media and technology in society, we see that these agents are intricately linked to how gender roles and expectations are maintained and formed among adolescents. The different ways boys and girls are treated in education, by teachers for instance, provides context for why they might gravitate towards different uses of media. Boys are often encouraged in competitive and technologically skilled environments, while girls experience social reinforcements that can lead them to value communal and relational interactions, which they pursue through different forms of media.