Flores 1

Luis Flores
Professor Lawson
English 113B Mo/We 2:00pm-3:15pm
26 April 2017
Gender Identity
Male or female is how most of us identify ourselves. Yet, gender identity has been

demonstrated to have certain impacts through the media exposing them to the public. Often

television shows tend to target a certain age group based on what genre is viewed the most.

Television shows like the Arrow have characters that represent more than one gender identity.

Teenagers are the ones who are targeted the most since they are the ones who watch television

the most. The media establishes stereotypes on gender identity exposing this idea at a young age

limits the idea on gender roles, by only introducing two gender roles, male or female. Popular

television shows like the Arrow often depict gender stereotypes, however they also contain

challenges to strict gender roles. Television shows with a strong influence on teenagers and

young adults should begin to show more character that break gender roles to demonstrate that

there is more than one way to be a man and women.

Since teenagers are high users of the media, they are the ones who set standards and

criticize each other because of their behavior not corresponding to what they are familiarize to as

seen on the flat screen. Most reality shows being viewed by teenagers, like the Arrow, involve

villain or villains trying to cause destruction towards families or certain individuals that have

been involved with them or their family to get revenge. Usually villains are considered to show

how males should be viewed in society. The villain creates a character that represents how a male

should physically and emotionally look and feel. Their emotions are left out, not shown in

popular television shows because its tend to believe that males are always the dominant gender.

This is one of the reasons why teenagers criticize each other because TV shows and films tend to

demonstrate only two dichotomy identities, narrowing down to two gender identities. Male and
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female are the only two genders that are often portrayed in television shows. Jones, who was the

author of Chavs and is a journalist from the Guardian, reasons the stereotypes of males. In a

study done by Jones he indicates that men should not speak about their feelings is not always

overt. . . as his client Fabio Zucchelli, 29, has had depression since his early teenage years.

(Ownes). Jones uses his client Fabio Zucchelli to indicate that depression could be one of the

symptoms that could occur if males dont show their emotions. As Oliver Queen, who is

considered the vigilante is one of the characters that doesnt show any emotion in the beginning

of the shows, later faces the consequences when he expresses his emotions. Oliver is one of the

main characters and sets an example of how males have similar characteristics as him even if

men are emotional, it shouldnt be shown.

Yet, discrimination towards other gender identities like transgenders has been an issue for

some people. Patricia J. Williams, who is a professor of law at Columbia University in New York

City debates how transgenders and non-binary persons have been left out and discriminated by

society. Williams mentions how transgender and non-binary identities have brought the attention

whether of sex" and "gender," "woman" and "man," "real" and "not real. (Williams). This

demonstrates the importance of gender identities shown on television shows because

occasionally theres moments where the woman doesnt play the stereotypical female character.

The way gender is presented on popular television shows like Arrow serves to reinforce many

gender stereotypes, however, these shows also have examples that question roles and how

limited narrow ideas about gender are. Just as Sara Lance who plays as The Canary plays an

important role in the show demonstrating that not only men can fight and be physical as Sara

shows the muscularity of a man. In one of the episodes in Arrow, Oliver finds out that Sara isnt

the same person he met a few years ago. He finds her kissing another girl in season two and finds

out she was part from the League of Assassins, where she spends a few years training. Her
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family thought she was dead after the incident that happen when she was with Oliver on the ship

years back. Sara is one of the few characters representing a different gender identity. Non-binary

and transgender persons arent always shown on television because the public has already set

standards having stereotypes that male will over power the female. These stereotypes of the two

opposites sexes dont apply to every individual. When the characteristics they are accustom to

dont apply to them; judgment starts to arise towards the individual who identifies themselves

nor men and women. This idea comes from the media because shows dont demonstrate other

gender identities like lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, or transgender being part of a shows. This is an

issue for television shows because if man and women are the only two gender identities they

expect one to believe in; a common expectation every human is a part of is when their babies are

born, they are either consider one gender, male or female. This becomes a problem because at a

young age parents raise their kids based on the stereotypes seen through the media. Yet, theres

cases were some children dont feel the same way in terms of their gender identity, often are

criticize by others because of the media not showing non-binary or transgender characters in

their shows.
Although the expectations of both genders have been distinguished and have separated

themselves from one other has brought to the attention to Steven E. Rhoads who is a professor at

the University of Virginia has taught public policy for more than thirty years a few of his essays

have appeared in the New York Times, Public Interest, and other publications. Rhoads

demonstrates the social role of a women going out of their comfort zone as he mentions One

study finds that both women with jobs and women with college degrees score lower on

femininity. . . (Rhoads). Referring to the stereotypes of a man and a woman, women dont share

the same ability as men, yet their knowledge on their academics separates men and women as

Rhoads implies. On the other hand, women are more successful when their behavior dont
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resemble to the strict gender roles implied through the media breaking the stereotype of a female.

Since most television shows broadcast similar story lines and are viewed by the same audience

television shows with a strong influence on teenagers and young adults should begin to show that

there is not one right way to be a man or women but rather should show gender in all diversity.

These involve having distinguished mindsets as Monroe Judy who is part of the Brain

Communications talking about the performances of both male and female brains. In a research

Judy was part of, she mentions Studies show that male and female brains are physically

different.(Monroe), not talking about the size of their brain but the functions of it explain why

women outdo men in categorize like academics. Judy concludes her thoughts on gender

difference as she indicates her conclusion with the research that was done by their team, she

informs why Some scientists say this explains why females tend to outperform males verbally.

(Monroe). Just as Oliver needs help from Felicity Smoak who was the IT girl at Queens Industry

agrees to join Olivers team to save the city and later becomes his secretary when Oliver decides

to be the CEO of the family business. Just as Judys research informs us about the out

performances of a male, Felicity is the stereotypical female in series that shows the

characteristics women, although Arrow have similar story lines, it is one of the few shows that

demonstrates that there is more than one way to be a women and men.
Society plays a big role in the classification of gender identities. Even if individuals

respect other gender personalities. In the article Dench, Geoff who is author of Transforming

Men: Changing Patterns of Dependency and Dominance in Gender Relations brings up an

important notice, if society would go back to the traditional cultural aspects and allow men and

women to be freely it would bring more freedom and flexibility to the public. This will allow

them to open to their relatives, lover, or friends and share their thoughts without any judgment.

Although if society goes back to the traditional cultural aspects, the issue of gender identity
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wont be solved because the stereotypes of them have been already establish. The only way these

stereotypes can be broken is the acceptances of the four-gender identity, man, woman, non-

binary, and transgender.

Because in television shows there are only two main genders that are portrayed, people

who identify as anything other than male and female feel a restriction towards who they are and

therefore, are not comfortable identifying themselves with their gender. If more television shows

were to portray other genders, such as transgender and non-binary identities, many people who

choose to identify themselves as these identities, it would be easier for them to fully be who they

are without being worried that they will be shamed for their identity. The media depicting more

than two gender identities is a huge step into finally allowing and accepting for who they are.
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Work Cited
Colson, Chuck. "The Idea of Multiple Genders Is Wrong." Male/Female Roles, edited by Laura

K. Egendorf, Greenhaven Press, 2000. Opposing Viewpoints. Opposing Viewpoints in

Context, libproxy.csun.edu/login?
Dench, Geoff. "A Return to Some Traditional Gender Roles Would Improve Society."

Male/Female Roles, edited by Laura K. Egendorf, Greenhaven Press, 2000. Opposing

Viewpoints. Opposing Viewpoints in Context, libproxy.csun.edu/login?

Jones, Owen. "Addressing Stigma and Masculinity May Reduce Male Suicide." Mental Illness,

edited by Noah Berlatsky, Greenhaven Press, 2016. Opposing Viewpoints. Opposing

Viewpoints in Context,
Williams, Patricia. "Strict Binary Definitions of Sex and Gender Are Problematic." Gender

Roles, edited by Nol Merino, Greenhaven Press, 2014. Opposing Viewpoints. Opposing

Viewpoints in Context. libproxy.csun.edu/login?

Rhoads, Steven E. "Biology Contributes to Differences Between Male and Female Behaviors."

Male and Female Roles, edited by Karen Miller, Greenhaven Press, 2010. Opposing

Viewpoints. Opposing Viewpoints in Context, libproxy.csun.edu/login?