Stereotyping in the Media

Stereotyping is found everywhere and it cannot be avoided. The media has come a long way with stereotyping but it is still found in many programs today.

Female stereotyping was very strong in the 50’s. Women were portrayed as stay at home wives that did the cooking, laundry, and pleased their husbands. I Love Lucy portrayed an image of a silly, trouble-prone wife which was the exact opposite of what Lucille Ball really was. She was a very independent woman and received many awards and honors throughout her life. Women in the 50’s were more independent and self-sufficient which soon became the new stereotype in the 70’s and 80’s. Shows such as The Mary Tyler Moore Show and Roseanne portrayed women who were assertive and independent.

Ethnical stereotypes are very strong in the media and actually cause some despair within ethnic groups in America. After The Sopranos went on air, Italian Americans were upset because many Americans associated Italians with the Mafia. Racial stereotyping has been even worse. The media usually depicts African American characters such as prostitutes, pimps, killers, and drug dealers. The media has come a long way though by introducing shows such as The Bernie Mac Show and My Wife and Kids that stops the negative stereotyping of African Americans.

While reading this chapter, the media has put negative stereotyping on women, ethnic and racial minorities, elderly people, and even people with disabilities and mental illness. The media has gotten better throughout the years, but there will always be stereotyping and it cannot be avoided. Shows such as the O.C. depicted characters that lived extravagant lifestyles which is not the true case with real people that live in Orange County. Shows like the O.C., Rosanne, I Love Lucy, The Sopranos, and many more create stereotypes in order to have high ratings and good programming. As long as people watch these shows, stereotyping will continue to exist and it can never be truly avoided.