There seems to be a war going on today over gender stereotypes seen in the media. Unfortunately, there are too many people who have too macho or unrealistic thinking about people's gender. The reality is that we only need common sense to realize that what this society needs is respect for one another.
Children are the ones who need to learn that gender stereotypes are not real and that they must end for the good of all. Educating children also requires common sense and it is very important that parents are able to choose what their children see or hear in the media so that it is appropriate for them depending on their age.
The media have a lot of power in children and it is important to know what children see and think about what they see. It is necessary to promote their critical thinking towards adequate and correct values in society. It is necessary that when you watch a program or a movie you can talk to children about male or female roles and be able to give them the truth they deserve. A girl does not always have to be a princess nor does she need a knight to save her, far from it.
A man does not always have to be the strongest or hide his tears when he is sad. The media on many occasions teach in a distorted way what a woman (sweet, maternal) or a man (aggressive, leader) should be. It is necessary for parents from now on to be able that if their children see gender stereotypes on television, they enhance their critical thinking so they really know that a woman is much more than sweetness and a man is much more than a leader.
Gender stereotypes, advertising and the media
In the media, it is inevitable that there is publicity, it is the way to make themselves known and the bread of many families. But This advertising defines us as a society and when there are gender stereotypes it can be a real and social problem.
When we think about gender stereotypes, we know that they are prejudices that are generalized about the characteristics of men or women that they have or should have in social functions and what they do or should do. Actually are beliefs too deeply rooted in society and that are seen daily in the media and in advertising.
Some normalized stereotypes are:
- The woman is a housewife and must clean and take care of the children
- The man must be strong and bring the money home
- The man does not have to do housework when there is a woman at home
- The woman is emotional and cannot hold positions with responsibility
- Men are cold and can make better decisions in business
- Man can be more aggressive to gain dominance
- The woman is emotionally and financially dependent on the man
- The woman is usually a kept woman who must obey the orders of the man because she is the head of the family.
- At home it is the man who must make the most important decisions
These stereotypes, in addition to being, are also macho. They are thoughts that are still ingrained in the minds of many people, but that fortunately they are becoming obsolete ...
The media and stereotypes
The media are very important in society, so the language or vocabulary you use is essential since it conveys social information to the citizens who usually integrate it and make it their own.
It is necessary to work on equality and the non-stereotyped image of both men and women in our society. It is the only way to begin to normalize this equality.
Advertising with stereotypes
Advertising can also generate perceptions in society so it is important to analyze well from critical thinking everything that an advertisement or advertising transmits to us on a daily basis.
Unfortunately, nowadays the role of women in advertisements it is still quite sexist although little by little and slowly but progressively it begins to “modernize”. But it is quite worrying that women are still the main housewives in advertisements who worry about stains or buying the house. Or even cosmetic or weight loss ads dedicated to women.
It is essential to be aware of this so that there is a change in advertising and that other advertising is possible in our society. Advertising that does not reinforce these stereotypes and that there is equality in the role of men and women.
What do we want to teach our children?
Despite the current media or publicity and the stereotypes that you can find in them, it is essential that as a parent, you can, from home, instill good values, although sometimes you feel that society is going against the tide.
In this sense, if you are watching television with your family, it is a good idea to talk with your children about what you have just seen, if it is a macho video and why it is not right that in an advertisement, for example, it is always the woman who takes care of the house or food.
It is essential that from childhood children see at home that the roles are not defined and that what a woman can also do a man and vice versa. Both at home and at work. If a woman or a man does not work to take care of children and the home and it is the other party who is in charge of bringing money home, it is not because it is better or worse, it is a considered decision on the part of both.
In the same way as if the two of them work, or if both are in charge of having the housework well done, when they go to the supermarket and a lot of etcetera. For all this, it is important that children work su critical thinking to end these gender stereotypes so problematic for society in general and for people.