How do you think tv programs, movies or romance novels stereotype one or more groups of people? Do you agree?

Question

I have to write an essay about this issue, and I would like to know what you think about it. And if you agree or don't with some of those stereotypes thta you can find...
THANKS A LOT FOR YOUR OPINION!!!
:) Cin

Answer 1

The following may help YOU to decide what's going on in the media you know about, which is the ONLY way you're going to write a good essay.
Rule One: Any *single* instance of portraying a person who's part of a group as having just one characteristic popularly associated with that group is NOT necessarily stereotyping. So if there's a str8 male or lesbian who can fix things, a gay guy or a woman who can cook, a white person who is boorish about money, or a black person who can dance--let it pass!
Rule Two: Even if Rule One applies, it's probably stereotyping if that's the ONLY thing you ever learn about the person.
Rule Three: A constellation of characteristics--say, a gay guy who's passionate about clothes and good at picking them, adores the opera and/or musicals, is clueless about sports, and calls everyone "Dear"--is more likely to qualify as stereotyping.
Rule Four: Make it "MUCH more likely" in Rule Three if the person or the characteristics is/are also either inherently despicable for a reasonable person, or depicted as contemptible.
Rule Five: Stereotyping a group is much less likely if the work depicts two or more people of that group and they don't all have the characteristic(s). On the other hand, only ONE person out of several who isn't stereotypical is quite possibly a "token."
P.S. I'd be fascinated to know what the situation is with romance novels. Although I'm gay, I'm a guy, and the only thing I read that comes close to that genre is the whole Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter series by Laurell K. Hamilton. (I'm rooting for her to choose the werewolf, who's a science teacher, over the vampire, who's a club owner.)

Answer 2

Yup. One; they aren't that interesting. Two; It lacks any inner meaning Three; I doubt teens read that many books, and they are quick to judge books from a few. Luckily, I know an author who allows teenagers to be implemented into her books, but keeps the story mature and with a purpose. Personally, I adore Ellen Hopkins. Her books may be a mature read, but if you look her up on Wikipedia, there are a bunch of teenage/young adult books she has. They're super interesting and not as generic as the crappy mainstream books we have today (50 Shades, Twilight, etc.). But, that's all I have to say. I bet there are a lot of other channels you can watch, and lots of movies are coming up that are actually meaningful as well. Take 'Life of Pi' for example. Hope I helped!