Female representation in films and television

Abstract

Female representation on screen has been widely discussed and criticized throughout history. Both the film and television industries succumb to portraying females in gender conforming ways that construe the concept of femininity. Through these misportrayals, stereotypical identities are placed upon women; these characterizations, in turn, become ingrained into the idea behind female inferiority. This thesis analyzes why those depictions exist, how they inadvertently impact the way that women are viewed in society, and how active viewers can combat these portrayals.