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Gender and media representations: a review of the literature on gender stereotypes, objectification and sexualization.

media gender essay

1. Introduction

2.1. stereotypical portrayals, 2.2. objectifying portrayals, 2.3. sexualized portrayals, 3. discussion, 3.1. critical discussion of evidence, 3.2. limitations, 3.3. future directions, 4. conclusions, author contributions, conflicts of interest.

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Gender StereotypesObjectificationSexualization
CommonCommonCommon

: Higher belief in gender stereotypes; endorsement of traditional gender roles.
: reduction of political and career-related ambition; organizational discrimination.
: Internalization of cultural ideals of appearance; increase in self-objectification; hostile and benevolent sexism; enjoyment of sexualization.
: proclivity for sexual coercion (moderator); conformity to gender role norms.
: Internalization of cultural ideals of appearance; self-sexualization.
: higher support of sexist beliefs (boys); tolerance toward sexual violence.

: Symptoms of depression and anxiety; higher likelihood of eating disorders; lower self-esteem and self-efficacy.
: symptoms of depression, psychological distress; higher proclivity for sexual coercion; substance abuse, increased perpetration of risky behaviors, intimate partner violence.
: higher likelihood of eating disorders and disordered eating behaviors : higher levels of body dissatisfaction; body surveillance; distorted attitudes about eating; higher endorsement of sexist attitudes; acceptance of rape myths.
: body shame (girls).
: body surveillance of the partner.

: media appearance pressures on body imageEffects of exposure to videogames
Virtual realityNon-sexual portrayals; specificities of sexual minorities; virtual realitySpecificities of videogames; specificities of sexual minorities; virtual reality
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Share and Cite

Santoniccolo, F.; Trombetta, T.; Paradiso, M.N.; Rollè, L. Gender and Media Representations: A Review of the Literature on Gender Stereotypes, Objectification and Sexualization. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023 , 20 , 5770. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20105770

Santoniccolo F, Trombetta T, Paradiso MN, Rollè L. Gender and Media Representations: A Review of the Literature on Gender Stereotypes, Objectification and Sexualization. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health . 2023; 20(10):5770. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20105770

Santoniccolo, Fabrizio, Tommaso Trombetta, Maria Noemi Paradiso, and Luca Rollè. 2023. "Gender and Media Representations: A Review of the Literature on Gender Stereotypes, Objectification and Sexualization" International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 20, no. 10: 5770. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20105770

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