Media Socialization

Here is a link to two documentaries below for your viewing. Each documentary
discusses the way that media (in conjunction with our other socialization agents)
actively work to socialize our ideas about masculinity and femininity.
In this paper you are required to write a reflection on the ideas presented.

1. The Mask You Live In:
2. Killing Us Softly 4 - Advertising's Image of Women:
   Bothe videos can be found in SLATE (in Content, click on the Assessment folder, then
   open Assignments, then Assignment 1
   Reflect on both films using the following questions as your guide No more than 4 pages
   (excluding cover and bibliography pages)
   According to your socialization lecture, how are we socialized into behaviours? What
   does it mean in our society to be masculine or feminine? How does media work to
   socialize these ides? Do you think media reflects or creates ideas surrounding
   masculinity and femininity? Why is this type of socialization problematic? or even
   dangerous in some circumstances? What are some of the differences in how
   masculinity and femininity are portrayed based on race?
   Lastly, reflect on your own gender socialization. Do you fall into these ideas of
   masculine or feminine? How were you socialized into your gender? Provide examples.
   Answer the following questions.
3. How are women portrayed as objects in magazine advertising? What are some
   common stereotypes of women that are used in the media? (3 marks)
4. What are some of the potential effects (physical, emotional, mental) on girls and
   women of trying to live up to our culture’s ideal image of beauty and femininity? (3
   marks)
5. What stories do the media tell us about men and masculinity? According to the
   media, what does it mean to be a man? (3 marks)
6. What impact does advertising have on the way that women are treated in society by
   both men and women? (3 marks)

Sample Solution