Gender, Media, Violence Essay - 1,264 words

Gender, Media, Violence Jean Kilbourne, Aaron Devor, and Carmen Vasquez have vastly different attitudes towards gender and
vastly different views on femininity and masculinity. Holly Devor is a professor of sociology at the University of Victoria in British
Columbia and a member of the International Academy of Sex Research. She describes gender as the most transparent of all social
categories, acquired so early in life that gender identity does not seem to be the result of lessons taught and learned. Children
develop concepts of themselves in their understanding of social expectations. Self-concept is reflected in the appraisal of others.
Children acquire societal values indiscriminately.

Their behavioral impulses gain approval or disapproval and scorn. Tension of the interaction of "I" with the social me" forms the
"self" concept. Significant others carry more weight and are more prominent in the formation of one's self-image, ideals, and goals.
Gender identity is one of the most central concepts of self according to Aaron Devor. Jean Kilbourne says women are seen as
helpless while men are seen as aggressive. Jean continues that men want to be with women like the ones they see in the media and
advertisements.

Women want to be the ideal woman that the man wants. Jean contends that women are hurt emotionally through objectification.
Women who compare themselves to the ideal woman feel they are not good enough. Unfortunately, Aaron Devor epitomizes the
objectification of women and opens discussions of double standards or inequality of the sexes. Aaron Devor says that dominant
persons of either gender, use tactics and verbal styles associated with men and masculinity while subordinates of either gender, the
hairstylist or nurse, for example, are thought to be female roles. Men and masculinity imply dominance and aggression.

Women and femininity imply passivity and submission. Masculinity has become synonymous with strength and femininity
synonymous with weakness and dependence. These stereotypes are also applied to personality and actions. Men are honored for
their masculinity, but masculine women are not desirable. Carmen Vasquez discusses the straight jacketing effect of sex roles.
Adults must conform to sexual norms to succeed or even be safe in society.

Lesbians are excluded from the military. Additionally, disclosure of sexuality could also bring the loss of a job or career. She
discusses the married man who comes out of the closet, and his wife who now feels like she is in, finding it hard to face family,
friends, and others. The relationship between conventional notions of gender and violence and the effects of the popular media on
sex roles and violence is that a certain amount of violence is socially acceptable or to be expected. The media communicate ideal sex
roles, of both men and women, which can lead to exploitation and victimization emotionally or physically through violence. Male
aggression and violence, portrayed on television, is socially accepted. The hero triumphs through superior use of strength and
aggression.

The television and movies with advertising teach women to use their bodies to get what they want. Jean Kilbourne feels this use of
sexuality promotes physical relationships with no meaning or commitment. Jean states that women are shown as helpless in the
media while men are shown as aggressive. Beer and liquor ads show the woman next to a bottle implying that the woman is also an
object, existing for male gratification. Aaron Devor in Becoming members of society decides that many aspects of masculinity and
femininity result from purpose. Aaron Devor contends that workers need to be strong and dependent to do their jobs effectively.

Femininity satisfies a masculine vision of heterosexual attractiveness. Aaron Devor, Canadian sociologist and sexologist, is Hollys
transmale name. Holly Aaron Devor was considered groundbreaking in her or his book, Gender Blending: Confronting the Limits of
Duality published in 1989. Holly Aaron describes gender identi
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Essay Tags: gender, san francisco, gender identity, media violence, sex roles This is an Essay sample / Research paper, you can use it for your
research of: Gender Media Violence