What is Collective identity? Respond to the statement that “Media simply represent collective identity, they don’t create it.” How far do you agree with this statement? Collective identity refers to the identity of a group of people who share the same views and norms this can relate to any subculture or subgroup such as gender. The media can be influential towards gender culture however many would argue that gender is a pre known statement that cannot be defined purely by the media. In contrast to this view however it can be argued that the population are affected by gender stereotypes through the hypodermic syringe needle from a young age and birth such as pink for "girls" and blue for "boys". An example of the media industry influencing gender identity can be found in the way that children are presented with blatantly gendered magazines from a young age with boys being exposed to elements such as danger, monsters, aliens and action as can be seen in magazines such as "Ben 10". Comparatively girls are presented with much more gentle magazines such as "My Little Pony" which often feature advertisements of colouring, soft colours such as pink and pastel hues as well as free hair accessories, stationary or makeup. It is important to note this imprinting of ideals from a young age as it shapes the brain of the child from an early stage of development that they should behave a certain way depending on their sex. After these first instalments of gender identity the child is subjected to these same ideas throughout adolescent and adult hood through the use of the hypodermic syringe model which presents the idea of injection of ideas which may not have originally belonged to an individual being implanted through media. Example of these media formats include male and female targeted magazines. Male magazines tent to largely focus on the Laura Mulvey's Female Gaze theory from 1975 in which she stated that women are presented in the media in a way to solely please men. An example of this can be seen below in "GQ magazine" featuring a semi-naked Rhianna (featured below). In opposition to this women are taught to tear each other down through the perpetuating of the "bitchy", "hormonal" and "aggressive" women which is targeted through gossip magazines such as "Cosmopolitan". From this brief analysis of media texts it would be easy to make the assumption that gender is a concept moulded by modern media outlets through the hypodermic syringe theory. These magazines and the way in which they influence those who read them displays David Gauntlett's theory that "identity is socially constructed, and the media provides some of the tools to help us construct our identities".
In opposition to this theory it can be argued through other texts that gender is not defined by media this is exhibited in the contemporary text The Danish Girl. In this text the plot centres around the transition of the first documented transgender individual Lily. This text is particularly significant due to the fact that there would have been no media representation for transgender people at this time and Lily would have been raised in the light of male aimed media. This means that Lily's discovery of her true gender was not related to the hypodermic syringe theory and media influence. Gender influence can be targeted from a completely different aspect when looking into characters such as Vod from the British based comedy "Fresh Meat" which focuses around the antics of university students. Vod is a particularly important character in this saga due to the fact that she dresses in a gender non-conforming way with short hair, big boots, jeans and button up shirts. This is important to note as it shows the way that despite being influenced from a young age by the pink and gossip columns of female magazines Vod has developed a unique sense of style and which shows a lack of conformity to patriarchal hirachy and gender roles, this shows the way in which Vod has managed to evade the hypodermic syringe theory subsequently moving away from stereotypically appearance of those who fit into the collective identity of women.
A different approach to this argument is that although a person does not conform to a gender identity which fits inside that gender binary this may be because they fit into another identity such the way that some members of the LGBT+ community may be be affected in their gender expression through the way that queer fictiona; characters are often presented as the stereotypical "butch lesbian", "camp, feminine gay". These stereotypes are formed by the media in an attempt to make homosexual relationships conform to heterosexual norms such as Vern and Bonnie Bullough's the male provider and female nurturer in 1933. Examples of the stereotyping of sexuality can be seen through Stephen from "Bad Education" who is presented as very dramatic and feminine. This shows Stephen rejecting societies gender stereotype but conforming to the stereotypes of sexuality. This shows that whilst individuals may be able to avoid conforming to one collective identity they may in the process conform to another.
In conclusion the media can influence gender through the hypodermic syringe theory however this is not the defining feature in regards to gender as there are examples of individuals subverting the gender norms prior to the heavy influencing of a variety of gender stereotypes by the media.
Essay key Theorist Example Definition Essay The media contributes widely and effectively the publics perception of the collective identity of numerous social groups. This misrepresentation has a particulary harsh effect on the publics view of youth and youth culture. The dictionary refers to youth as "the period between childhood and adult age.". This means that those between 13 and 18 would be traditionally affected by youth stereotyping. The general presentation of youth by the media is that they are either violent and aggressive or idiotic and incapable of success.
Hebdige states that youth are either conceived as fun or trouble, meaning that youth are either violent and nihilistic in keeping with Ann Goulds 6 traits of youth or are fun and idiotic. Hebdiges understanding of youth is displayed frequently in the way that films will present youth a modern example of this being "The Inbetweeners"where youth are displayed as foolish and idiotic fuelled only by a desire for sex as well as "Ill Manors" which focuses on urban teens and the violence associated with gang cultures. Goulds six traits of youth are also featured in "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" in which rebellion is displayed through the music of the time, the artificial tribe is displayed through the "wallflowers", self destructive nature is portrayed through the suicide of Michael and violence is portrayed through Candace and Derrick fighting. Hebdige is also portrayed again in this film where elements of fun can be seen through the use of recreational drugs and dancing, trouble is then displayed as name calling and domestic violence. An example of an older media texts which portrays the same ideology as the above texts is "Bullet Boy". Goulds theory can be seen frequently throughout the piece for example violence is displayed throughout the killing of the dog, sexuality is displayed through the sex scene between the protagonist and his girlfriend and self destructive behaviour can be seen through the downward spiral of the protagonist who acts out the more people put him down. This is a prime example of Wilkins deviancy amplification spiral in which people who are repeatedly subjected to negative stereotyping re more likely to eventually conform to them. Newspapers also play a part in the negative stereotyping of youth with the Mail Online in 2011 branding the British youth as 'the most unpleasant and violent in the world' in the period of time when the London riots were in progress. These riots are a prime example of Cohen's Moral Panic theory in which a single event such as the riots can lead to a negative stereotype being created around one collective identity and an inflammatory stereotype being formed which in turn creates folk Devils. The importance of youth being negatively described in newspapers specifically is especially important due to the fact that the negative views of youth will be imparted on those who may not necessarily agree with the view, this is the hypodermic syringe model. This model focuses on the way in which the public are injected with a certain concept that they may not have agreed with previously through a media text. Youth are also represented as being part of artificial tribes which relates to Ann Goulds theory of the 6 traits of youth. In older media texts such as "Quadrophenia"which focuses around the conflict present between the mods and the rockers. This film shows youth in a negative and raw light leading youth being perceived by the public in a negative light. In more modern adaptions of youth groups such as "St. Trinians" youth are presented in a less gritty and negative way whilst still maintaining the underlying message of teenage rebellion. In conclusion the way in which youth are perceived by the public is affected by the way that the media portray youth. Negative portrayals of select groups of youth lead to a negative impact on the entire youth population due to the fact that all youth subgroups exist under the collective identity of youth.
Ill Manors The Inbetweeners Movie Older examples of youth Quadrophenia Essay key Theorist Example Definition Essay The media contributes widely and effectively the publics perception of the collective identity of numerous social groups. This misrepresentation has a particulary harsh effect on the publics view of youth and youth culture. The dictionary refers to youth as "the period between childhood and adult age.". This means that those between 13 and 18 would be traditionally affected by youth stereotyping. The general presentation of youth by the media is that they are either violent and aggressive or idiotic and incapable of success.
Hebdige states that youth are either conceived as fun or trouble, meaning that youth are either violent and nihilistic in keeping with Ann Goulds 6 traits of youth or are fun and idiotic. Hebdiges understanding of youth is displayed frequently in the way that films will present youth a modern example of this being "The Inbetweeners"where youth are displayed as foolish and idiotic fuelled only by a desire for sex as well as "Ill Manors" which focuses on urban teens and the violence associated with gang cultures.
Newspapers also play a part in the negative stereotyping of youth with the Mail Online in 2011 branding the British youth as 'the most unpleasant and violent in the world' in the period of time when the London riots were in progress. These riots are a prime example of Cohen's Moral Panic theory in which a single event such as the riots can lead to a negative stereotype being created around one collective identity and an inflammatory stereotype being formed which in turn creates folk Devils. The importance of youth being negatively described in newspapers specifically is especially important due to the fact that the negative views of youth will be imparted on those who may not necessarily agree with the view, this is the hypodermic syringe model. This model focuses on the way in which the public are injected with a certain concept that they may not have agreed with previously through a media text. Youth are also represented as being part of artificial tribes which relates to Ann Goulds theory of the 6 traits of youth. In older media texts such as "Quadrophenia"which focuses around the conflict present between the mods and the rockers. This film shows youth in a negative and raw light leading youth being perceived by the public in a negative light. In more modern adaptions of youth groups such as "St. Trinians" youth are presented in a less gritty and negative way whilst still maintaining the underlying message of teenage rebellion. In conclusion the way in which youth are perceived by the public is affected by the way that the media portray youth. Negative portrayals of select groups of youth lead to a negative impact on the entire youth population due to the fact that all youth subgroups exist under the collective identity of youth.
