Polytechnic University of the Philippines

Sta. Mesa, Manila

College of Architecture, Design, and the Built Environment
Department of Architecture

In partial fulfillment of the requirements in

GEED 20033
Gender and Society

Individual Essay on Chosen Reading

“Gendered Media: The Influence of Media on Views of Gender”

Submitted by:
ZABALA, Nicole P.
BS Architecture 4-1

Submitted to:
Mr. Josephus Lobrino
Professor

June 16, 2022

 Polytechnic University of the Philippines
Sta. Mesa, Manila
College of Architecture, Design, and the Built Environment
Department of Architecture

Essay on Gendered Media: The Influence of Media on Views of Gender

The media influences most people and society’s thinking, behavior, as well as views on
different aspects of life. Wood (1994) shared that media contributes the most to the views on
gender and is considered the most influential. In her article, Gendered Media: The Influence of
Media on Views of Gender, she explained the media themes surrounding three main points:
women’s underrepresentation, stereotyping, and men-to-women relationships.
The disparity between the genders instills in the mind of the people that men are the
cultural standard. Nowadays, people have been upfront about the fact that society perceives
men’s success over women. And how the public believes men over trivial things and describe
women’s reactions as overreactions. This is emphasized in Taylor Swift’s song, The Man, with
the lines, “I’m so sick of running as fast as I can / Wondering if I’d get there quicker / If I was
a man” (Swift, 2019). The Man is a song that reminded me of one issue that I gravitated to
within the article which is about bending views on natural physiology. This issue made me
realize how unfair it was for women to suffer such unidealistic standards to the point of
making themselves suffer from disfigurement and fatal conditions just for the sake of
being beautiful. And how it was really hard for women to have more things to consider, like
what to wear, to eat, and even how to behave.
In addition to this, Wood made me realize that media producers should take an
extra step or two in their production as it greatly affects the viewer’s views on different
matters to the point that it molds the society itself. At first, I thought that the creative people
behind every film and show produced can just be creative. However, as these are eventually
viewed by a lot of people, they should contemplate even the tiniest detail. Of course, there are
now limiting features for devices to regulate the production of media but people, with emphasis
on the youth, are still vulnerable and it takes more than a regulatory board to control this. Media
producers, in the first place, should not be biased and be able to create content conforming to
the constitutional standards with respect to people’s dignity.
To suggest, the article should also mention other genders and how it relates to each
other. At this age, people have been opening up and accepting people of different identities
and it is only right to include how media contributes to the topic’s misconceptions. It should
mention people like Mark Bryan, an engineer, American Football Coach, and now a fashion
icon for wearing stilettos and skirts who emphasizes that he is a straight man (Huntington,
2021). To add, it is also important to mention how men feel and think about these
stereotypes (e.g., feeling of inadequacy) as it is only briefly mentioned in the article. All gender
inclusion should be considered to cover all circumstances and a look at different people’s views
and experiences.
 Polytechnic University of the Philippines
Sta. Mesa, Manila
College of Architecture, Design, and the Built Environment
Department of Architecture

Bibliography:
Huntington, P. (2021). The age of genderless dressing: A sixty-something football coach
changes the dress code. Harper’s Bazaar. Retrieved from:
https://harpersbazaar.com.au/mark-bryan-interview/
Swift, T. (2019). The Man [Recorded by Taylor Swift]. On Lover [Album]. Republic Records.
Wood, J. T. (1994). Gendered media: The influence of media on views of gender. Gendered
lives: Communication, gender, and culture, 9, 231-244.