Introduction

The media serves as an important part in the reproduction of gender norms and roles. This film examines the ways in which the media constructs a narrow view of femininity reliant on beauty and heteronormative attraction. The film aims to promote awareness of the significance of the media in constructing gender and hopes for changes in gender representations in the future.

Directions

In this assignment you will watch the documentary film Miss Representation (Links to an external site.) and then write a reflection paper that first summarizes the main points from the film and then addresses the following questions:

• Why do you think the media is an important agent of gender socialization?
• Do you think representations of gender have changed since this film was made? If so, it what ways?