thinkers & theories

• feminism and media representation

  • feminist sociologists began to challenge the media representation of women: the way women are shown on television and film, in newspapers, advertising and other media.
  • feminists argued that the media was showing stereotypes of men and women and that these stereotypes were exaggerated and were harmful to both men and women
• socialisation

  • feminists like Ann Oakley argued that this media representation was an important part pf socialisation. the family and education system also expected boys and girls to behave in traditional ways and choose traditional roles in life
  • sociologists would argue that this was a kind of labelling.
  • teachers, parents and employers all expected boys and girls to follow predictable gender choices