Media is one of the most instrumental tools that is used to pass various messages to different consumers. Particularly, technology has positively reinforced the growth of media and information dissemination. With a significantly interconnected world than ever, it is possible for one to obtain information about other cultures and the views about gender by different communities. By analyzing societal undertakings and systems, the media presents messages about sexism, masculinity, gender inequality, among others. Cultural groups and family also present gender stereotypes and other messages about gender roles and socialization. Regardless of where such messages emanate, they influence personal perceptions about gender and impact gender-related experiences. Due to the impact such messages have on an individual’s worldviews, personal development, and societal progress in general, it is critical that different social work practice approaches are devised to counter negative cultural beliefs about gender.
Dynamic gender-related messages are propagated on social media, television, radio, and the internet in general. The themes presented on such platforms are instrumental in impacting people’s views about gender. While the world has significantly changed today and the view on gender divisions marred as well, through the depiction of gender-based violence, the pay gap based on gender, and the vulnerabilities incarcerated women face, media present messages about gender inequality. Most importantly, the depiction of women and men in films and natural settings also presents messages about gender roles and cultural beliefs about how women or men are to dress and carry out their roles (Holtzman et al., 2014) . Notably, there is also increased media sensitization about the LGBT community, hence messages about breaking gender-related norms, especially aspects that make it taboo for a given gender or sex to behave or relate with the other a certain way. On the other hand, the media also presents a myriad of messages on the advances related to gender equality. From character plays in films to the presentation of women on television and different social media platforms, mass media is sending out messages on the significant progress in gender equality ( Gauntlett, 2008). Women are increasingly depicted undertaking roles and careers that were initially designated for men and vice versa. Regardless, there is still a lot that has to be done by mass media stakeholders to ensure distorted messages about gender are not presented.
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Through interaction with family and individuals who are culturally different from me, I have received dynamic messages about gender roles in society, the space of particular genders in the corporate world, and the expected behavioral traits of different genders. While I have grown up in a family where my abilities have been constantly affirmed regardless of my gender, I have been in a traditional Asian setting where there were unspoken messages about gender roles and specific dressing codes. I have also been in a traditional Somali setting where most of the individuals I met were Muslims. Here, as an outsider, I was made to understand the distinct roles women play in taking care of the family and the male in being the head of the families and the breadwinners ( Borell et al., 2014) . In these deeply cultural groups, I also realized that there were messages passed to children about their dressing codes and behavior from an early age. As an individual who was expected to interact with some community members, I received different messages about religious practices based on gender, the guided interactions between women and men, and even the behavioral traits that I was to exude while interacting with the community members.
The messages from the media, family, and cultural groups about gender have impacted my experience about gender, especially in instilling the notion that women and men are different. I have had to treat individuals based on their gender, for example, while working in some deeply traditional societies. I have also had to choose my words and how I engage with particular genders in different cultural settings. Some messages from the mass media and family have, however, reinforced the belief that all genders are equal and some societal stereotypes and norms have predisposed women to different vulnerabilities; there is nothing significant that warrant the differentiation of roles, the expectation of a particular gender to exhibit particular traits or dress in a way that is dictated by culture. In instances that it has depicted successful individuals in the corporate world, mass media has impacted my knowledge that all roles can be assumed by individuals regardless of their gender ( Schug et al., 2017). In so doing, they can thrive. With such knowledge, I have treated all individuals at the workplace with the respect they deserve, regardless of gender.
In social work practice, advocacy, education about gender equality, and women empowerment are recommended approaches to address sexism issues in social media and diverse cultural beliefs ( Cornwall et al., 2015). Particularly, there is a need for communities to be educated so that people in the society can assume any role and excel. Assumption of roles that are designated for women by males cannot make them lesser human beings. People need to be educated and made to know that such boundaries have created a society in which some individuals are made captives of their gender roles. There is also a need for individuals to understand that while culture is an instrumental element of people’s identity, cultures that limit individuals from achieving their full potential are limit progress, hence, should be eliminated. Most importantly, advocacy and empowering women to advocate for their rights and thrive in different spaces is critical. When given the means to rise against limiting cultures, women can overcome sexism-related limitations.
In conclusion, mass media, messages from family and cultural groups have dynamically affected my thoughts about gender. The media’s messages have mainly been about gender roles, norms, dressing codes, and traits expected to be exhibited by particular genders. There have also been messages that have depicted gender as an insignificant factor that should not derail development and progress in any gender. Cultural groups have mainly passed retrogressive messages and those that continue to draw a distinct line between different genders gender. Although such messages have dynamically influenced my experience with gender, there is a need for change in some perspectives. In addressing sexism in the media and as propagated by cultural beliefs, advocacy, gender education, and women empowerment are important recommendations that can reduce the negative effects of sexism.
References
Borell, K., Rask, E., & Warsame, M. (2014). Gendered family roles and expectations in transnational Somali refugee families: An exploratory multiple-site study. International Journal of Child, Youth & Family Studies , 5 (2), 296-307.
Cornwall, A., & Rivas, A. M. (2015). From ‘gender equality and ‘women’s empowerment’to global justice: reclaiming a transformative agenda for gender and development. Third World Quarterly , 36 (2), 396-415.
Gauntlett, D. (2008). Media, gender and identity: An introduction . Routledge.
Holtzman, L., & Sharpe, L. (2014). Media messages: What film, television, and popular music teach us about race, class, gender, and sexual orientation . Routledge.
Schug, J., Alt, N. P., Lu, P. S., Gosin, M., & Fay, J. L. (2017). Gendered race in mass media: Invisibility of Asian men and Black women in popular magazines. Psychology of Popular Media Culture , 6 (3), 222.
