Representation- Selling Through Sterotypes

The 7 key representation areas are:

Gender
Age
Class
Ethnicity
Sexuality
Nationality
Disability

Gender

Women are stereotypically made out to be used as sex symbols in all media formats. Putting a sexy woman on the front cover on all media products will sell as men will be interested in that. However, there are theorists such as Laura Mulvey who in 1975 said that "All women are only used for sex symbols."

However times have changed and men are starting to be used in the same way and to be sold as sex symbols. 

Age

Teenagers are stereotypically made out to be depressed, criminals and extremists. Putting rebellious teenagers and fugitive characters on the front of teenage magazines and media products will therefore appeal to all teenagers who have a rebellious streak about them. This is supported by theorist Stanley Hall who in 1904 said "All young people are depressed, criminals and extremists".

The magazine front cover from "the source" supports this theory.

Class

Working class males are made out to be people who have the best intentions but however lack certain intellectual skills. Magazines and other various social media outlets put working class men on their front covers as they both relatable and in ways fairly comical. In 1992 Richard Butsch said that " Working class men are dumb but mean well." Examples of this are portrayed as programmes such as "The Simpsons" and "Family Guy" where they are based on a dumb working class male who always means well even at the worst of times.  

Ethnicity

In a lot of media products, being white is apparent to be naturalised and being anything else such as black is against both normality and a stereotypical culture. Magazines use black people more when it comes to being rebellious in magazines as black connotes darkness and a threat against certain cultures. In 1998 Sarita Malik stated that " Whiteness is naturalised and being black is against the norm." This is shown in Hip Hop magazine as it shows Lil' Wayne who is black and is known for being a rebellious character. 

Sexuality

In certain media products, heterosexual people are portrayed as normality and being gay, lesbian or bisexual is abnormal. Magazines tend to use straight people to attract the opposite sex rather than same sex attractions.Same sex attractions are treated like second class citizens and are more of a secondary audience. This is shown as so called "lads magazines" such as "Zoo" always show exposed young women rather than men. In 1998 Andy Medhurst stated that " gays are screaming queens and lesbians are butch dykes."

Disability

Disabled people are only displayed in media imagery when they are either trying to appeal for charity or using disabled athletes as inspirational figures. This is because people only are interested in relatable and aspirational figures and they wouldn't feel that having a disability is attractive even though there should be equality. This is portrayed in "Family Guy" as the character of "Joe Swanson" is a disabled police officer that is portrayed as a fitness freak athlete. 

Nationality

People from alternative nationalities and races are portrayed as a threat towards society and our cultures. This is displayed as typically British magazines always use white British people as their focus points unless they are talking about other nations in a bad light. This is supported by Stuart Hall who in 1981 said that " Black people are criminals".  This is shown in private eye as it talks about jihadi extremists adding a negative light towards Britain.