Have you ever noticed how the media often portrays boys and girls in very specific ways? Boys are usually shown as tough and strong, while girls are often focused on their looks. This creates a situation where both genders are seen in a limited way, which can be harmful.
From a young age, girls are often told that their value is tied to their appearance. This message is everywhere—in advertisements, movies, TV shows, and video games. Boys, on the other hand, learn that a girl’s appearance is what matters most. This focus on looks rather than intelligence or personality can be damaging for everyone.
It’s like being in a hall of mirrors where the media keeps showing us how we should look. But here’s the good news: girls and boys can reject these messages and create their own stories. There are definitely double standards, especially online, but we can choose to see beyond them.
Have you ever heard someone say, “Be a man”? This phrase can be really harmful because it suggests that boys shouldn’t show emotions or vulnerability. Boys are often taught to be tough and hide their feelings, except for anger. But it’s important to remember that showing emotions is a natural and healthy part of being human.
Instead of sticking to these old stereotypes, we can support each other by being open about our feelings and valuing each other’s strengths beyond appearances. Whether it’s encouraging a friend to express their emotions or appreciating someone’s intelligence, we can all contribute to a more positive and inclusive environment.
By understanding and challenging these media messages, we can help create a world where everyone is valued for who they truly are, not just how they look or how tough they seem.
Choose a popular TV show or movie and analyze how it portrays male and female characters. Identify any stereotypes and discuss how these portrayals might affect viewers’ perceptions of gender roles. Present your findings to the class.
Work in groups to create a short skit where traditional gender roles are reversed. Perform your skit for the class and discuss how it felt to act out these reversed roles and what it reveals about gender stereotypes.
Write an essay reflecting on a time when you felt pressured to conform to a gender stereotype. Describe how it made you feel and how you responded. Share your essay with a partner and discuss ways to challenge these stereotypes.
Create a collage using images from magazines, newspapers, or online sources that depict gender stereotypes. Include captions that challenge these stereotypes and offer alternative, positive messages. Display your collage in the classroom.
Participate in a class debate on the topic: “The media has a significant impact on reinforcing gender stereotypes.” Prepare arguments for both sides and engage in a respectful discussion about the media’s role in shaping gender perceptions.
Here’s a sanitized version of the provided transcript, removing any inappropriate language and sensitive content while maintaining the overall message:
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# All around me
are familiar faces ## Worn out places,
worn out faces ## Bright and early for
their daily races ## Going nowhere
**WOMAN:** There’s a clear division between what boys learn and what girls learn. Boys are often seen as tough and strong, while girls are expected to focus on their appearance. This creates an objectification of both genders.
**JEAN KILBOURNE:** Girls receive the message from a young age that their value is tied to their looks. Boys, on the other hand, learn that this is what is important about girls. We see this in advertising, films, television shows, and video games. There is little appreciation for women as intellectuals; the focus is often on physical appearance rather than intellect.
**MAN:**
# Okay, now he was close ## Tried to domesticate you ## But you’re an individual ## It’s in your nature ## Just let me liberate you ## You don’t need validation ## That person is not your maker ## And that’s why
I’m gon’ take a good girl ## I know you want it ## I know you want it
**WOMAN:** It’s like a hall of mirrors effect, where the media suggests how you should look. However, girls can reject that message and promote a different narrative. There is definitely a double standard in many aspects of life, especially online.
**MAN:**
– Ladies, look at your man. Now back to me. Now back at your man. Now back to me. Sadly, he isn’t me. But if he switched to a different brand, he could smell like me. I’m someone who has accomplished great things.
**WOMAN:** Stop crying, Rohan. Are you feeling emotional?
**MEN:**
– Stop crying.
– Pick yourself up.
– Don’t show too much emotion.
– Support your friends.
– Prioritize your friendships.
**JOE EHRMANN:** The three most destructive words a boy can hear are to “be a man.”
**MAN:** Growing up, boys are taught to be tough, strong, and courageous, with the expectation of showing no pain or emotions, except for anger.
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This version retains the core themes of gender expectations and societal pressures while ensuring the language is appropriate for all audiences.
Gender – The social and cultural roles, behaviors, and attributes that a society considers appropriate for men and women. – In social studies, we learn how gender roles have changed over time and how they influence people’s lives today.
Media – Various means of communication, such as television, radio, newspapers, and the internet, that reach or influence people widely. – The media plays a significant role in shaping public opinion and can influence how people perceive social issues.
Stereotypes – Oversimplified and fixed ideas or images about a particular group of people. – Stereotypes can lead to misunderstandings and unfair treatment of individuals based on their group identity.
Emotions – Complex psychological states that involve a subjective experience, a physiological response, and a behavioral or expressive response. – Understanding emotions is crucial in psychology to help people manage their feelings and improve mental health.
Appearance – The way that someone or something looks to other people. – In social psychology, appearance can affect how individuals are perceived and treated by others.
Intelligence – The ability to acquire and apply knowledge and skills. – Intelligence is often measured through tests, but it can be expressed in many different ways, such as creativity and problem-solving.
Boys – Male children or adolescents. – In social studies, we explore how societal expectations for boys can differ from those for girls.
Girls – Female children or adolescents. – Discussions about girls in psychology often focus on empowerment and overcoming gender-based challenges.
Norms – Accepted standards or ways of behaving in a society or group. – Social norms can influence how people act and interact with each other in various settings.
Support – Assistance or encouragement given to someone, especially during challenging times. – Providing emotional support is important in psychology to help individuals cope with stress and build resilience.
