Through my experiences about media stereotypes that I've seen on TV and also in the movies, the Asian characters ALWAYS seems to have these same features. For instance, the infamous slit eyes. Also, in western movies, the Asian characters always speaks with this funny Asian accent they have. Most of the actors doesn't even have this kind of accent, but they have to act it out to make it sound more 'Asian'. You've seen Asian characters as the nerd, geek, and the one who knows Kung Fu or Martial arts.
As for the stereotypes for men in media, they always play the lead role, also known as the hero. The most common stereotype is the action hero you find in movies. He has a buff body, good-looking, strong, makes all the females drool over him, everyone adores him and etc. He can never die no matter how badly he's being attacked by the villains.
Now for the female stereotypes in media whether it's in TV, magazines or in the movies. Female characters always look sexy/pretty/innocent/nice/kind-hearted and the list keeps going on. It's just a complete package that every men in this world wanted. Nowadays, I think media has abuse these females to 'sell' their work such as movies and magazines. It's kind of common to see naked women in western movies these days, even asian movies have started to follow this 'step'.
In my personal opinion, these stereotyping is controlling our mind and what we think of others especially having negative views on the Asians, Arabians, Iranians and other excluding the western people. What we usually seen on the media are totally not like what we saw in reality.
Females that often show in the magazines are sexy and pretty. I agree with you that media has abuse these females to 'sell' their work. People had always been taught from the movies, magazines or TV programme, that pretty and sexy woman is good, they will prefer to look at them, instead of looking at a ugly woman. Media do have certain power to create stereotypes.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your thoughts, especially the stereotypes for men in media. Its SO true that all male leading characters/hero don't seem to DIE no matter how many times they are being shot at.Hollywood movies always have this cliche kind of plot where the hero will always save the day and heros must have good build and body. Besides that, I fully agree with what you have said regarding how media has abuse these females to 'sell' their work. I think the media is portraying the wrong message to the younger generation especially young girls.
ReplyDeleteI agree with ur words there as well, they potraits those hero and heroine in a movies into a character that eveyone likes to see. Its very hard to find a movie hero is not potrait in that way. While for a heroine in a movies, usually they must pose such positive image. Media stereotypes is really controlling us in many ways without we realise it if we do not think about it.
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