TV Characters and Gender Roles.
ANSWER
1. “Game of Thrones”
- Main Characters: Daenerys Targaryen, Cersei Lannister, Jon Snow
- Portrayal of Gender Roles:
- Daenerys Targaryen: Daenerys starts as a meek young woman but evolves into an influential, confident leader who challenges traditional gender roles. She emerges as a fierce queen and military strategist, challenging the male-dominated power structures.
- Cersei Lannister: Cersei manipulates her way into power traditionally reserved for men, often using her sexuality and cunning to maintain her position.
- Jon Snow: Jon breaks traditional gender roles by displaying compassion, empathy, and vulnerability, qualities typically associated with femininity.
- Influence on Young Viewers:
- Daenerys can inspire young girls to be strong, resilient leaders and not be confined by gender expectations.
- Cersei may raise discussions about the ethics of using one’s femininity for power and provoke debates about gender politics.
- Jon Snow can teach young boys that it is okay to embrace their emotions and that traditional masculinity is not the only path to heroism.
2. “Friends”
- Main Characters: Rachel Green, Monica Geller, Ross Geller
- Portrayal of Gender Roles:
- Rachel Green: Initially portrayed as a fashion-conscious and somewhat dependent woman, Rachel evolves into an independent career woman, challenging traditional gender norms.
- Monica Geller: Monica is organized, competitive, and career-driven, defying traditional expectations of women as homemakers.
- Ross Geller: Ross’s sensitivity, love for literature, and interest in palaeontology challenge traditional masculinity norms.
- Influence on Young Viewers:
- Rachel’s character can inspire young women to pursue their careers and break free from societal expectations.
- Monica’s determination and ambition may encourage girls to be ambitious and assertive.
- Ross’s character can help young boys understand that having diverse interests and emotions is acceptable.
3. “Breaking Bad”
- Main Characters: Walter White, Jesse Pinkman, Skyler White
- Portrayal of Gender Roles:
- Walter White: Walter starts as a meek high school chemistry teacher but transitions into a ruthless drug lord, challenging traditional gender roles by embracing criminal behaviour.
- Jesse Pinkman: Jesse represents vulnerability and emotion in a world of crime, subverting traditional expectations of masculinity.
- Skyler White: Skyler’s character confronts traditional gender roles as she becomes involved in her husband’s illegal activities and takes on a more dominant role in the family.
- Influence on Young Viewers:
- Walter White’s transformation can serve as a cautionary tale about the consequences of toxic masculinity and the pursuit of power at any cost.
- Jesse Pinkman’s portrayal can encourage young men to express their emotions and seek help when needed.
- Skyler White’s character can prompt discussions about gender dynamics within criminal contexts and the complexities of family relationships.
These characters from various television shows offer a range of representations of gender roles, providing opportunities for young viewers to engage in discussions about gender norms, expectations, and the evolving nature of masculinity and femininity in society.
QUESTION
Description
For your initial prompt on this Discussion Forum, please identify three major television shows that you are familiar with. For each of the shows, identify the main characters of the show. For each of these characters, please identify the ways in which they are portraying traditional or non-traditional gender roles. Please discuss ways in which several of these specific characters might influence young female and male viewers.Quality primary input-Your initial post will count as 80%. Primary input should be thorough and direct and posted no later than Thursday. Quality primary input should be complete, thoughtful, and well-developed responses that are substantive and may contain specific text references. Students should refrain from personal opinions unless it is based upon objective facts. It must be detailed; at least two paragraphs (5-7 sentences each). If there is more than one part to a question, you must answer all parts of the question.