Media has been an integral part of society for decades now, shaping people's perception of things, especially when it comes to matters that are difficult to grasp easily such as gender diversity. Adolescent is a phase where young adults start exploring the world around them and this age group consumes most of the media available.
How much impact do they have on their minds?
Gender refers to the socially constructed roles assigned to individuals based on their biological sex. Diversity means different types of characteristics, personalities, and behaviors, which can be seen in both genders. Media plays a huge role in depicting these aspects through movies, TV shows, video games, advertisements, magazines, books, etc., influencing the way adolescents understand gender diversity. This article will explore how media exposure shapes adolescents' understanding of gender diversity.
In recent times, there has been a rise in the portrayal of transgender individuals in the media, creating awareness about their identity among adolescents. Transgenderism involves identifying oneself as belonging to a gender opposite to what one was born into. Movies like 'The Danish Girl,' 'Boys Don't Cry,' and 'A Fantastic Woman' shed light on the struggles transgenders face every day. These movies help teens realize that being comfortable with one's body doesn't mean that you must fit into society's stereotypes of masculinity or femininity. It is a step towards acceptance and appreciation of people who live by these choices.
Media also highlights stereotypical gender roles, like men are meant to be strong and dominant while women should stay at home and look after children. Advertisements promote this notion, showing men working outside and women doing household chores. Such messages create an impression that these expectations are normal, and breaking them may lead to social rejection.
Adolescents are most likely to watch animated cartoons, which can have detrimental effects on their perception of gender roles. Disney movies like 'Cinderella,' 'Beauty and the Beast,' and 'Snow White' reinforce traditional gender roles through depicting women as helpless damsels in distress and men as brave knights in shining armor. This message confines young adults to rigid boundaries of how they ought to act based on their sex and not let them explore themselves beyond it.
Media has taken significant strides towards presenting LGBTQ characters in various shows such as 'Modern Family,' 'Brooklyn Nine-Nine,' and 'Pose.'
There is still a long way to go before portraying queer individuals as just any other individual without judgment and discrimination. The absence of positive representation could make adolescents feel isolated and unable to express their true selves.
Media plays a vital role in understanding gender diversity among adolescents, but its impact depends upon what type of content it provides. While some programs help build awareness about transgenderism and nonconformist sexualities, others reinforce stereotypical gender roles that limit teens' self-expression. Parents need to monitor their children's viewing habits closely to ensure a healthy mindset regarding gender identity.
How does media exposure shape adolescents' understanding of gender diversity?
The portrayal of gender diversity in media can have significant implications for how adolescents perceive and understand different identities beyond just those that are presented as normative. In fact, exposure to various representations of gender diversity may help foster greater acceptance and tolerance among young people, potentially facilitating healthy self-exploration and identity development.