media and gender roles

Traditional gender roles place women subordinate to men. Although much improvement has been made in recent years, traditional gender roles are still visible in much of society. For example, advertisements portray women as skinny and weak and men as strong and dominant. Female models look like twigs and male violence is glorified in movies. The media plays a large part in how young children view the world. Young girls are encouraged to look like skeletons and young boys learn that steroids are safe from their favorite baseball stars. Children feel pressured to fit these stereotypes or else they will be ridiculed. Girls will be called fat and boys will be wimps. Sports are a great example of gender disparity. Girls who play sports are labeled as tomboys or lesbians. On the other hand, boys are expected to be athletic and to play sports. Children learn the way they should act from a very young age. Outside influence, such as media, tends to enforce traditional gender roles. The most important influence on a child comes from the home environment. Children who are abused at home often become future abusers. However, what sort of impact does the media have on the lives of children as they become adults? Would children grow up differently if they watch pornography instead of Sesame Street? I believe the answer to that question is yes; however where do we draw the line? Parents have the responsibility to guide their child in the correct direction and not let the media cloud their view of the world.