Stereotypical Portrayals in TV or Film

Stereotyping Essay
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Television programs and films are vital in modeling societal views and conveying messages concerning lifestyle aspirations and choices. Producers often use stereotypical portrayals to condemn or endorse certain lifestyles, especially for characters in significant roles. One such instance is "The Diplomat," a television show offering valuable insights into the depiction of females in leadership positions. Through examining the show's lead role of Kate Wyler, a US ambassador to the UK in the film, it is possible to evaluate the stereotypical messages that the show represents through her role, lifestyle, physical appearance, actions, likability, job, and outcomes. Media communicates and enforces shared understanding, impacts the perception of the message, and confirms, resists, or perpetuates stereotypes (Besana et al., 2019). This paper uncovers the support of gender stereotypes and examines the chances for challenging and reducing such portrayals. Overall, the paper highlights the significance of balanced and diverse representations in television programs to enhance inclusive and nuanced comprehension of various lifestyle choices.
Character Description
The lead character in the television program "The Diplomat" is Kate Wyler, whom the show represents as an attractive and intelligent female in an esteemed political position or rank, the US ambassador to the UK. Her physical appearance aligns with the general societal view of beauty, reinforcing the perception that females in high-profile offices can have attractiveness (Anderson, 2023).
Role and Stereotype
Through the presentation of Kate Wyler in a high-profile government position, the show challenges the existing gender stereotypes. The producer presents Kate Wyler as an influential and powerful diplomat who defies the idea that only males should be in such high-profile political positions. However, at the beginning of "The Diplomat," Kate's portrayal does not represent a stereotype that it is hard to trust females with political ambition or that such women are incompetent. The stereotype becomes evident when Hal, her husband, maneuvers her into the vice president's list without her consent and takes advantage of her political lethargy. Such act reinforces the societal gender stereotype of viewing ambitious women negatively instead of ambitious men. Ultimately, gender stereotypes reflect the societal expectations of women's and men's roles (Xu et al., 2019).
Job and Success
Kate Wyler's job as the US ambassador to the UK is a demanding and prestigious position. Her success is paramount through the program as she skillfully and professionally navigates sophisticated diplomatic cases and effectively manages foreign policy issues. Such portrayal challenges the societal stereotype that females, unlike their male counterparts, cannot successfully hold high-profile diplomatic or governmental roles. "The Diplomat" depicts Kate Wyler as an influential and competent leader defying societal expectations. In some countries, the societal expectation is that men hold foreign ministries, while authoritarian states exclude women from such positions (Schneider & Bos, 2019).
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