In this issue, we explore new notions of identity from a sociological and psychiatric perspective. How we represent ourselves – to ourselves and to others – is essential to our humanity. By better understanding the impact of our mediated selves on our interactions and our self-image, we see how media influences the essence of our being. Includes interviews with two cultural sociologists: Professor Joseph E. Davis explains the commodifying of self, and Dr. Andreas Bernard discusses the changing science of profiling.
Representation is at the heart of media literacy. In this issue of Connections, we invite you to explore representation from two individuals’ perspectives, discussing non-binary and LGBTQ gender identities. We interviewed Alexx Souter, advocate, and Rich Ferraro, Chief Communications Officer of GLAAD, a media advocacy organization for LGBTQ. CML News includes an article by Tessa Jolls and Michele Johnsen, "Media Literacy: A Foundational Skill for Democracy in the 21st Century," published in the Hastings Law Journal.
What is clear is that the majority of media offer images of beauty to young girls which are virtually impossible to attain. Many of those images also offer a hyper-sexualized model of feminine identity for girls to emulate. In this issue, you’ll find reviews of two films from the Media Education Foundation which will help you discuss issues of media, sexuality and gender identity with your students and children.
In this issue of Connections, we examine the ways in which stereotypes and prejudice surface in media, and discuss ways in which media literate citizens can become agents for positive social change. We explore dehumanizing representations of the Other. In our second article, we investigate the connections between use of stereotypes in television news and the social capital of communities.
Say the phrase “gender and media,” and many educated listeners will think of roles assigned to women in the media. But what about men? What does our media culture tell us about the roles that men play in society, and what messages do media send boys about manhood?
Advertising sends contradictory messages to young people about food, dieting and fashion. We look at a recent survey regarding teen girls and their attitudes toward media and fashion. We also report on new research from the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media on the representation of women in family films.