Duality Along Race And Gender Lines
It was pointed out how in the United States race is viewed as being a black and white thing, which seems to be both irrational and problematic. This is something that harkens back to a century or more ago when it was the case that there were few citizens who were not either black or white. Currently though blacks are not even the largest minortiy group, surpassed by hispanics, and the population of non whites or black are projected to surpass 30% during the middle of the century. I t can often have very negative effects when groups of people are ignored like this. Most other groups are grossly underresresented or made to seem non existent by the media. These rare portrayals are also usually likely to be more stereotypical and have a negative impact. A problem that needs to be address is how minorities seem to always be portrayed in extremes and not as more normal with a middle ground in their physical, emotional, and personality characteristics.
Gender inquality continues to exist statistically despite the fact that legal oppositions to women have been removed, as well as Affirmative Action whose #1 benefactor has been white women. Although the typical woman may make relatively the same amount as the typical man, there is a much greater disparity at the top. Female representation is very sparse in positions of hih rank and authority of personal property which is mostly that of a very small percentage of the population that is extremely wealthy. Certain positions especially in the business and corporate world, posiitons of leadership are not seen as female work. There may often be a glass ceiling for a woman. This is problematic though because it seems in many cases advancement would require not really showing feminine qualities which are deemed to be inferior. I don't think the answer is to have men and women act nearly exactly alike. ALso there is the problem that men are more desirable do to the lack of child rearing responsibilities. Some studies though have seemed to show that men are more ambitious career wise, and more competitive, and less emotional which may make them better candidates, although much of these dierences may be societal and not as much biological as perceived by many
What type of affect would increased exposure in the media of minority groups other than blacks have on how they are perceived, and would it affect their social status?
Do you forsee the lines between what are considered to be male and female characteristics to blur as they seem to have, while some argue that a duality is important to society thriving?
Comments
I think that changes like these take generations. The media has almost become the social police in that it punishes those who make any kind of public mistake (don imus). At the same time, who polices the media?
I think that within the next 10 years, the news media will change drastically. With the technology changing (you tube, video on demand, and blogging), the viewer will be able to choose what they want to watch instead of having the media force feed something to us. Instead of getting ratings for advertising, the media will try and provide an honest service to people. As a result of this, I think that the portrayal of minority groups should improve.
Regarding men and women - or should I say, women and men? The struggle between men and women will be going on for a while. This does not mean there should be inequality as far as salary and other things. I have a feeling like this will change soon. Why can't women go to court about inequal pay? Or have they?
Posted by: Matt Hoffner | April 30, 2007 9:06 AM
The line between what are considered female and what are considered male characteristics has changed so much in the last half century, that I have to believe it will keep changing more. Technology is shrinking the world and spreading ideas more quickly. It is easier for women to rally together. If one country has a policy change, or has women make a big news story, the rest of the world can see it and react. The lecture slides showing charts of changes in policies among the three types of countries show that when one changes towards equality they all change to some degree. ANother thing that I think will really have an impact soon is more women are going to college than are men. This was not the case 50 years ago. Even if the work force is discriminatory, it still has to hire the people with degrees. In this case, they will be women.
Posted by: Sally | April 30, 2007 9:38 AM
The male and female issue is hard to pinpoint as it becomes a nature vs. nurture debate somewhere. Sure, 500 years ago women were held down below men so they couldn't succeed if they wanted to, but now the holding down is much less there. I don't believe it is sexist to say that women and men function differently. There brains just plain lead them to different forms of entertainment and ways of life. Sure, some of that is due to training. Girls wouldn't like barbies as much if they grew up playin g with action figures, but how much is instilled in us before birth that might lead men to lean above women?
That sounds sexist but I am merely speculating that there may be a possibility. The trait that I observe and believe may lead to men advancing somewhat more rapidly in very competitive fields is there love of winning and competition. Men are much more inclined to enjoy activities that involve the challenge of squashing opponents and gaining pride from your victory. Psychological/Sociological studies have demonstrated that male friend groups are much more stratified while women tend to be more of a web. This could be the cause of the remaining disparity in a capitalist economy where success is equal to how many people you stand on top of.
The end.
Posted by: Jon McDuffie | May 2, 2007 11:46 PM
In response to the first question, YES! I believe that the media as such a huge say in what we as a society think. If the media increased exposure of other races like Hispanics, we would see the black and white line start to diminish over time. Just as we would see the line of male-female characteristics. It is all on the medias shoulders. If they represent males in certain positions "separate spheres" and women in another...then there is a difference. But really there is no difference, so the media needs to show this by having either an equal portrayal of both genders, or have the media stop!
Posted by: Belal M | May 10, 2007 9:32 AM
I think that the media is one of the biggest social institutions that governs what people think and how. I know sometimes I take what the news says and regurgitate it to my friends. It may be wrong or right but because it is broadcasted for many people to see, I sometimes believe it is correct. I do not think that the media will ever change the inequalitites we have here in America. Over the many years that we have had inequality, we still see it everywhere we turn. On the news it seems that they only want to broadcast when a minority has committed a crime rather then a white person. It will always be cycle in our society and unless the media stops portraying minorities as terrible people, it will stay like that.
Posted by: Brandi K. | May 12, 2007 10:42 AM