Media Stereotypes

The media often uses stereotypes and it is significantly accepted by the people. It has made us think and believe certain things should be this way and not otherwise, and thus this is wrong, because it not a fact, it is not true and certainly not what everyone thinks. For example, in magazines, they often portray models as beautiful women, who are young, have flawless skin, tall and thin. This has lead people thinking only skinny women are considered beautiful, while it is not. In movies, they are also a lot of stereotyping, like blonde women are always dumb and shallow, Russians are the mobs or the mafia, Mexicans are portrayed as illegal runaways, and American Africans are shown as people dealing with drugs or involve in gang fights. This had lead us, especially young children, who haven't had much experience, to be easily influenced by these media stereotypes. In most television series, they often show rich kids to be spoiled brats and pick on others, the popular ones in school and always surrounded by cool people. In addition, mostly these popular rich kids are always the cheerleaders for girls and football players for the boys in school. Everyone around the world who watches, would be influenced to think that rich kids are spoiled and often rules over the school. We should all be aware of all these media stereotypes as to not discriminate and group or categorize people.

Leong Lai Yee

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