How the Media Defines Masculinity

Gender Representation, Stereotyping

Families, friends, teachers, and community leaders all play a role in helping boys define
what it means to be a man. Mainstream media representations also play a role in
reinforcing ideas about what it means to be a “real” man in our society. In most media
portrayals, male characters are rewarded for self-control and the control of others,
aggression and violence, financial independence, and physical desirability.
https://mediasmarts.ca/gender-representation/men-and-masculinity/how-media-define-
masculinity

Common Stereotypes of Men in Media

Gender Representation, Stereotyping
Various media analysts and researchers argue that media portrayals of male characters
fall within a range of stereotypes.

The report If He Can See It, Will He be it? Representations of Masculinity in Boys’
Television identifies popular stereotypes or pillars that reflect culturally around the world
how men are stereotypically supposed to act. These pillars are reinforced and
sometimes created by media tropes seen in film, advertisements and on television.[i]
The seven pillars are:

Self Sufficiency: Men should figure things out on their own without the help of others.

Acting Tough: “A man should always defend his reputation and be willing to use
physical aggression to do so.”

Men on television are less likely to show emotions compared to the female characters,
including empathy.

Physical Attractiveness: “A man should be physically attractive, but effortlessly so…”

Male characters are likely to be shown as unusually muscular in media.

Rigid masculine gender roles: “Men should engage in stereotypically masculine
activities and embrace stereotypically masculine roles.”

In media, men are less likely to be shown engaging in an active parenting role
compared to female characters (4.5% compared with 7.7%).

Heterosexuality and Homophobia: “…men should avoid being gay or perceived as being
gay.”

Hypersexuality: “Men should value sexual conquests over intimacy.”

The majority of men in media are shown as being single (79.0%).

Aggression and control: Men should use violence to get respect and should always
have the final say about decisions in a relationship.
“Taking no for an answer is rare in popular boys’ TV shows.”
Male characters also commit 62.5 % percent of violent acts compared to 37.5% in
female characters.
Gary Barker of Promundo identifies three “media models” for boys:

The Fast and the Furious: Using aggression to solve problems.

Star Trek: Repressing your emotions.The Dark Knight: Isolating yourself and becoming
emotionally withdrawn.
Common Stereotypes of Men in Media | MediaSmarts