Media representation has become an integral part of people's daily life. It is present everywhere - on television screens, computers, phones, billboards, advertising posters, and even in social networks. As such, it shapes our opinions about different aspects of society, including gender, sexuality, and justice. But how does media representation influence public opinion regarding these topics? This essay will explore this question and provide examples to support its answer.
Media representation affects the way people perceive gender roles. Traditionally, women have been portrayed as passive, weak, and dependent individuals who need men's help to survive. They are depicted as housewives taking care of their husbands and children without having any interests or ambitions beyond that. On the other hand, males are often shown as powerful, strong, and assertive figures capable of achieving great things independently.
This traditional gender role division no longer holds true today. Media representations nowadays show much more diversity when it comes to genders, which results in changing public perception.
Recent movies like 'Wonder Woman' showcase female heroes who can be independent and powerful without relying on anyone else.
Media representations shape public moral perceptions about sexuality. Historically, sex has been tabooed by mainstream culture, and its expression was associated with shame, sinfulness, and immorality. In the past few decades, however, media has taken a progressive stance towards intimacy, making it acceptable for couples to express themselves freely through romantic scenes in films or TV shows. Nowadays, people feel less guilty about watching sexually explicit content and even engaging in such behavior privately. As a result, they start to view sex as a natural part of life rather than something forbidden.
Media representations also influence justice. Justice is often associated with punishment and retribution, but media representations tend to focus on forgiveness and understanding instead. This shift in emphasis leads to a change in how we perceive crimes and criminals - from black-and-white categories to shades of grey. People become more compassionate and empathetic towards offenders and their backgrounds. Moreover, there has been an increase in stories that focus on reforming criminals rather than punishing them severely.
This trend creates a positive impact on society because it encourages mutual respect between all members regardless of their background or actions.
Media representation plays an essential role in forming public opinion regarding gender, sexuality, and justice. It changes people's perceptions by offering different perspectives that challenge traditional beliefs and values. While some might argue that this shift may lead to moral relativism, others believe that it is necessary to understand other cultures better. Therefore, it is crucial to critically analyze media messages and not take them at face value when judging these issues.
How do media representations shape public moral perception of gender, sexuality, and justice?
Media representations have been seen as powerful tools for shaping public moral perception of gender, sexuality, and justice. They are capable of presenting different values, norms, and beliefs that people can internalize as their own moral principles (Melrose & Sullivan 2013).