Media and Social Inequality - 906 Words

Media and Social Inequality The Media promotes and reproduces societal values and norms, establishing common meanings and understandings among groups and individuals. These common meanings are portrayed in the media and put forward by the dominant culture; and for this reason the patterns of inequality that benefit the dominant culture are produced and reproduced. The media today are not only entertaining the people but also favor the spreading of certain information. The different media thus convey the messages of the dominant culture and provide subcultures with justifications for these relations of ruling. These patterns of inequality can be interpreted through four major sociological angles: structural functionalism, conflict†¦show more content†¦This frame of mind analyzes the interaction between people and their adoption of symbols, both verbal and non-verbal ones. Different studies related to communication and media have been done with the use of Symbolic Interactionalism revealing the different ways in which media affects our day-to-day dealings. Ways in which it modifies our interrelations are through the reproduction of gender roles and racial distinctions, not to mention class boundaries. This theory, therefore, sees media as supporters of the dominant culture – that of prevalently white heterosexual males – as well as sustainers of hierarchies and social inequality in terms of how it reflects a reality that serves some groups’ interests more than others’ and legitimizes power in real world one-on-one relationships. The reproduction of gender roles is not only analyzed by Symbolic Interactionalism, but it has also been is a focus of interest for the Feminism theoretical tradition. In a microsociological level, Feminism, seeks to present an understanding of the women’s experience with inequality using macrosociological references to state the factors of their oppression. Media has been reinforcing the labeling of women as being helpless and needy for guidance creating a gender duality, which has been built on traditional views of women and men. Media inShow MoreRelatedSocial Inequality In The Media1700 Words   |  7 PagesThe media carries a significant role in the distribution of information in American society. The American populace rely on entertainment and news networks to properly feed them updates on science, politics, celebrities and so much more. The media has this kind of power due to the fast pace way of life Americans live as well as their inability, or lack of want, to read pure and unadulterated academic articles on any given subject. 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Finally, I will discuss the sexual objectification of women presented in the media and later examine how individualsRead MoreSocial Media and Society Negatively Influence Gender Roles1376 Words   |  5 Pages Social media and society negatively influence gender roles and perpetuates stereotypical gender behavior. These influences can be found in sports, school, the arts, and the workplace. No matter what stage of life a person is in they will continue to be bombarded by the harshness of stereotypes. However, between the ages of 9 and 15 people are at their most vulnerable state because they are evaluating the people around them and are able to see how media perceives gender roles. Although, men are affectedRead MoreMedia Based On Social Stereotypes930 Words   |  4 Pagespaper includes critical analysis of media ba sed on social stereotypes. There are two advertisements used one is based on gender inequality and the other is based on the gender biased and racial inequality. These two advertisement’s provides a good example of how media influences society. Analysis of these advertisement will show how the creator of the advertisement uses social stereotypes. Advertisement 1 analysis Nowadays the representation of gender in media has become very common. It is all aboutRead MoreSocial Inequality : A Part Of Sports1080 Words   |  5 PagesThesis: Social inequality is a part of many issues other than sports, but it is a part of sports to do several issues such as gender roles, salary and stereotypes. The Significance: The significance of this topic of inequality in sports is that it does not just occur in sports. It happens all around us, you see social inequality happening at work places, schools, restaurants and many other places. Many people don’t see if because they don’t know what it is. Population: Many people think it only