This week for our blog we read an article about the "golden age" of television and, more specifically, sexism in television. This article raised many questions, "Why does their seem to be more men in leading roles on TV shows" Is there indeed sexism towards women in the TV industry? Also, 'why is it that most leading roles in a TV series have the role of "anti-hero"
Firs, let me start off by talking about why most leading men on television play the role of the "anti-hero." In my opinion, this is because it is what people want. What I mean by that is, given human nature, people want to see violence, action, and drama. That desire coupled with the desire for people to see people on television that make them feel better about themselves, means that the role of the "anti-hero" fits what people want to see.
Secondly, I would like to discuss the theory that there is sexism on television and more leading roles are given to men then women. I care deeply about women's rights and I will always be respectful towards women. However, in terms of men getting leading roles over women, who cares. I do not mean to be disrespectful to women but television is meant to be entertaining to people. People need to take a step back and realize that TV is purely meant for entertainment. Not everything has to be so politically correct all the time. If people want to see more men, and men fit the role, then so be it!
Also, there has been a rich history of women in great leading roles in television history. One example that comes to mind is "Friends" starring Jennifer Aniston. People loved that show and it became one of the most watched shows in history, not because a woman had the leading role, but because it was a funny, well-written, entertaining show. Thats the bottom line. While watching television shows people want to be entertained, and if that means a man is better for the part than a women, so be it.
'
I don't think it is a question of whether men or women are better or more suited to a specific role. I think the point being raised, instead, is to look at why certain segments of the industry can be so dominated by women. This was an age, for example, when many TV comedies were featuring very prominent women. Dramas seemed to be going in a different direction. It's the same industry, and on the whole there is not necessarily sexism in the sense of open exclusion. The question is more about how gender interacts with certain institutional features. Why, for example, didn't female anti-heroes become the dominant type? Orange is the New Black has shown this to be possible, so obviously the industry does not exclude women as such. But this also means that we can't simply explain things in terms of "men are inherently better suited" to some roles. Both men and women have thrived in this character type, but yet it seems almost inherently more male on some level. Why is that?
ReplyDelete