women and men h/w sheet summarised

Women and Men in TV:

*In the 1950's, 1960's and 1970's only 20 to 35% of characters were female. By the mis 1980's there were more women in leading roles, but still there were twice as many men on screen.

*In action adventure shows only 15% of the leading characters were women.

*In 1987 study found female characters to be most common in comedy programmes (43%)

*In action adventure women had almost doubled their showing to a still low 29% of characters.

*1970's consistency found that marriage, parenthood and domescticity were shown on television to be more important for women than men.

*McNiel (1975) concluded that womens movement had been largely ignored by television, with married housewives being the main female role shown.

*Women intercations were very often concerned with romance or family problems in 74% of the cases.

*Female characters were unlikely to work especially not if they were wives or mothers, even if they did it was not typically shown on screen.

*In 1970s men were the dominant characters and decision makers on TV.

(Gunter, 1995)
*Men- assertive, agressive-adventuruous, active and victorious.

*Women-passive-weak, innefectual, victimised, supportive, laughable or morely token females.

(1978) Gaye Tucham
*Women were underrepresented in televisions fictional life- they are 'symbolically annihilated'

*Women don't matter much in American society

*Women who were shown to be working were portrayed as 'incompetents and inferiors', as victims, or having 'trivial interests.

*Women had little value in the TV world

*In the mid 1980s a number of programmes showed women in a more centralised way such as documentaries, discussion programmes and dramas, they also began to be shown in police and crime roles.

Women and Men in movies:

*In the 1950s most films almost always focused on male heroes.

*Men typically made the decisions which led the story and were assertive, confident and dominant.

*Women had many important roles but were far more likely to be shown as frightened, need protection and directing and offering love & support to male characters.

*1970's- Woody Allen featured women more intelligent.

*Sherron Smith- the role of a women in a film almost always revolves around the physical attraction and the games he plays with the male chracters.

*Ann Kaplan- women are ultimatley refused a voice, discourse and their desire is subjected to male edesire.

* Kathi Miao- Women are given less screen time, likely to be portrayed as powerless and ineffectual.