These stereotypical images of men and women found in the media, not only foster gender-stereotypes, but also those of class as well. By class we refer to the existence of various economic classes in society and the current domination of society by the capitalist classes. As a result of this class system, the majority of the people in our country and the world belong to the working and poor classes. Studies done on the relative dominance characters portray revealed that both men and women of professional occupational status are more likely to be found in dramas. Working-class characters, however, are found predominantly in comedies, where they are presented in class-stereotypical roles. The resulting impressions are that “working class lives are funny, whereas serious drama occurs elsewhere.” (Anderson 26) In the same manner, men are mainly dominated on television, except in situation comedies, where low-status women outnumber men in relative dominance.
In addition, these stereotypical patterns above are further confounded by race. In terms of race, 66 percent of white actors have positive roles on television but that few actors of Latino, African and Asian descent have such roles.” (Fears B1) Although African-American watch television significantly more than whites, they are a small proportion of the characters seen. African Americans have been portrayed as maids, servants or clowns. These negative perceptions started to appear in sitcoms such as in Amos and Andy, who are the stereotypical blacks that never took things seriously. In the television show “Friends”, a show watched by millions based on the lives of six friends diverse only by personality. Even thought the setting is in New York, which has a high population of African-Americans, there are never any African-Americans on the show. When African-Americans characters do appear, they have been shown to exhibit a narrow range of character types. Almost half of all African-Americans on television are portrayed “as entertainers or sport figures, villains, victims, buffoons, and domestics.” (Fleras) Although there are over 100 black television shows, “less than five of them were [are] dramas, instead the majority of them were [are] comedies.” (Hollywood Eras and Errors) Despite this dire misrepresentation of African-Americans in television programming, their situation is paradoxically positive when compared to other minority groups. Asian Americans, Hispanics, and Native Americas are virtually absent from television programming. When they do appear, they are usually in the form an, “occasional diversion, exotic objects, or marginal and invisible characters.” (Anderson 56) To further accentuate that statement, “less than one percent of major characters on television are Hispanic” (Perez 1999). The invisibility of minority groups on television can be seen in the “disappearing” roles they respectively hold. For example, on many televisions programs, “minority men and women silently appear in backgrounds to cater to the needs of dominant households or individuals” (Anderson 56).
The tremendous influence television has on contemporary American culture has been compared by some to that of a national religion. Social scientist Gerbner concludes, Television is used practically by all people and it is used practically all the time. It collects the most heterogeneous public of sexes, classes, and race. Television thereby becomes the common basic for social interaction among very widely dispersed and diverse national community, As such it can only be compared, it terms of its function, not to any other medium but to the pre-industrial notion of religion. If television provides for the maintenance of culture, then it must resist social movements that challenge the culture; rather, they defend the traditional system by co-opting new images that social movements generate. Segregation by gender, class, and race juxtaposes the human potential. It expands cultural divides and gives people little access to the lives of others. Therefore, it is not unreasonable to assume that television offers, for some, the only indirect experience of the vastness the human cultural and individual palate has to offer. Unfortunately, in light of all that has been covered above, television fails miserably in portraying the human potential. Despite increased awareness of harmful stereotypes, cultural habits are hard to shake. A simplified worldview centered on stereotypes, however comforting it may be, is only accomplished by the sacrifice of understanding. Therefore, in order to achieve understanding of others, and consequently one’s self; one should look elsewhere than towards television.
