Gender Role Models in Mainstream Media
Whilst discussing gender in society for an academic paper earlier this week, a certain astonishing fact arose to us. Whilst we have already touched on gender perception in media, we perhaps did not delve deep enough into the thought of mainstream media and role models.
It came to our attention, and something that perhaps I have even missed myself personally, which is the absence of gender role models not only in mainstream media, but in society as a whole. I’m not talking about famous or well known androgynous or gender focused people, but intellectual, pioneering role models, championing thought and positive impression for the community.
Whilst I am welcome to be corrected on this, as I would honestly love to be proved wrong, we could not think of a single gender role model in mainstream media. Of course the closest we could think of is Andrej Pejic or Lea T, but outside of the fashion world, the bubble that is the fashion and beauty industry, few people will know of these inspiring creatures.
So I suppose the question is why? Followed in short succession by what can we do about it? Surely this is a main contributor to the prejudice that not only gender but sexuality faces on a daily basis. There are no positive influences or influences to guide the positive evolution of androgyny and gender within modern society.
It’s no secret or surprise that there are many gender prominent people on the underground scenes across the planet. But party hosts and glamourous fashionistas are not what I’m talking about. These can never pioneer the intellectual side of gender within society whilst carrying out what they do best. Whilst pioneering aesthetic and perhaps awareness, this can also be a negative, inflaming prejudice within the closed minded individuals that are leaders with the negativity against gender.
The why, is a difficult question to answer, I’m not doubting it is extremely complex. Perhaps the fashion and beauty industries are much more accepting, and therefore it is difficult to break from the aesthetic mould. Perhaps the mainstream media is still too scared to embrace a positive role model, the risk of loss of audience and ultimately money, is always going to outweigh the greater good in our current society.
In reality there are very few people and companies that will sacrifice monetary gain for the greater good.
Please do share your views with us in the comments below. Can you think of positive models in mainstream media, whichever society you live in? There needs to be change, there needs to be pioneers in this field, I would even go as far to say, that if I am capable, if I am possibly even ten percent of what we need, then perhaps I can attempt to impact, inspire, or ultimately; step up to the plate.
James Joseph
9 thoughts on “Gender Role Models in Mainstream Media”
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stylenoir (@stylenoirmag) (@stylenoirmag) (@stylenoirmag) (@stylenoirmag) says: The Absence of Gender role models in mainstream media and society. #NYFW http://t.co/9BYXtYgt
stylenoir (@stylenoirmag) (@stylenoirmag) says: A look into the lack of Gender Role Models in mainstream media and society, we want your opinions!! … http://t.co/biQNxf2c
You make a good point, people in the public eye who draw attention to gender fluidity/diversity are a minority. I had a think and came up with a few who I think are good examples:
- Sarah Brown, I think she’s been named one of the most influential LGBT people in the UK and she’s MtF, she’s a lib-dem councillor.
- Antony Hegarty (singer) is perhaps a better known example, and there a lot of gender themes in his music, and has been involved in fashion too
Eddie Izzard
David Bowie and other 70s glam-rock icons
Marlene Dietrich and Katherine Hepburn
Marilyn Manson (think Mechanical Animals era)
Annie Lennox
For the most part they’re not people who have said they actively identify as transgender/genderqueer, but they’re people who have played with gender or represented it in different ways, So all hope is not lost, but there’s a long way to go!
It really is difficult to think of any. The ones you have listed in my opinion are not what I was referring to. People like Eddie Izzard, David Bowie and Manson all came up in thinking, but they are creatives, producing what they did for entertainment or creative effect. Not instead a personal journey. For example, I truly believe, whilst Izzard is incredible, he wouldn’t do what he does if it wasn’t for his performances.
However I will be very interested to look up Sarah Brown, so thankyou for pointing that out!
James
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I do see your point, I’d recommend having a look at Athony too, he also makes really beautiful music!
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| James Joseph @jamesjosephLDN Editor In Chief |  |
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