The word "masculine" comes from the Latin word for male, "mascus," while "feminine" is derived from the Latin word for female, "femina." Traditionally, masculinity has been associated with strength, power, aggression, and dominance, while femininity has been linked to passivity, weakness, and submissiveness.
These associations have changed significantly over time and across cultures. In modern Western society, many men are now expected to display traits traditionally considered feminine such as emotional expressiveness, sensitivity, and nurturing behavior, while women are expected to be independent, career-oriented, and assertive.
In film and TV, characters' gender can be ambiguous and fluid.
In the popular show Breaking Bad, the main character Walter White changes his appearance and mannerisms to create an alter ego known as Heisenberg that is more masculine than he was before. Similarly, in the movie Transamerica, the protagonist is played by a woman who identifies as male and takes hormone therapy to appear more masculine. These examples demonstrate how film and TV challenge traditional ideas about gender roles and allow viewers to explore different types of masculinity and femininity.
Visually, film and TV also present a range of gender representations. Characters may dress or behave in ways that defy stereotypes.
In Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the title character wears baggy clothes and acts tough, breaking down gender barriers and challenging expectations of what it means to be a strong man. On the other hand, some movies like The Notebook feature characters whose genders are not explicitly stated, but who are clearly meant to be seen as both masculine and feminine at once. This kind of representation blurs the lines between masculinity and femininity and forces viewers to question their assumptions about gender.
Films and TV shows have played a significant role in shaping perceptions of masculinity and femininity, particularly when it comes to gender roles and sexuality. By creating characters with diverse traits and portrayals, they help us see beyond stereotypes and understand that there is no one-size-fits-all definition of gender.
How does visibility in film and TV change perceptions of masculinity and femininity?
Visibility is an important factor when it comes to gender roles and stereotypes in media. Masculine and feminine identities are often portrayed through gendered characters on screen and can influence viewers' perceptions of what it means to be a man or woman. These representations have been changing over time, with more nuanced depictions of both genders appearing in recent years.