Research Essay

Zhu 1
Wenyan Zhu (Judy)
ENG4U
Ms.Asma
12 June 2024
Stop Promoting Stereotypes
In today's society, the influence of media is increasing day by day, especially
television programs, which have a wide audience and fast dissemination speed, and
have an undeniable impact on people's concepts and behaviors. This essay will
illustrate that television programs should prohibit the promotion of stereotypes about
ethnicity or race because the promotion of stereotypes can mislead audiences, may
exacerbate social prejudice, and banning the promotion of stereotypes can help
eliminate social prejudice and discrimination.
First of all, promoting stereotypes can mislead the audience, especially for young
people and groups with less social experience. Stereotypes in television programs
often simplify a certain ethnic group or race into a fixed and one-sided image, which
is often far from the real situation. After accepting these stereotypes, the audience can
easily form a one-sided understanding of the ethnic group or race, and even develop
biases and misunderstandings. “The “flightiness” associated with women in the
stereotype of female logic is, in Fact, a desirable characteristic for those who must
perform the job of housewife. In the stereotype, it is negatively evaluated, ascribed to
nature, and used to justify women’s unsuitability for other kinds of labor.”( Seiter 5).
In this stereotype, women are being promoted with negative evaluations, which can
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lead people to be misled into thinking that family work is something women must do,
and that they are incapable of any job other than family work, such as being a lawyer,
engineer, or artist.This definition emphasizes the stereotypical definition of women,
sacrificing their foundation in the social structure.
Second, promoting stereotypes will exacerbate social prejudice and undermine
social harmony and stability. Stereotypes in television programs often reinforce
people's established beliefs about a particular ethnic or racial group, which often
contain biases and discriminatory elements. This kind of prejudice and discrimination
is not only reflected in words, but may also turn into practical actions, ultimately
leading to the intensification of social conflicts. For example, racial discriminatory
remarks or behaviors in certain TV programs may cause dissatisfaction and protests
from viewers, and even lead to larger scale social problems. “Looking first at race of
alleged perpetrators, we find approximately an equal number of Blacks and Whites
(173 versus 179).At one level this equivalence seems reasonable,since Blacks do
commit crime far in excess of their population proportions.At another, however,
representing Blacks far more often in criminal roles than Whites effectively makes
them into symbols of threat.”(Entman& Rojecki, 81). There is a possibility of
implying differences in racial imagery, which fuels audience anxiety and hostility,
leading people to focus more attention on black people in violent incidents.
In addition, prohibiting the promotion of stereotypes can help eliminate social
prejudice and discrimination, promoting social justice and equality. When television
programs no longer promote stereotypes, viewers have the opportunity to be exposed

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to more authentic and diverse cultures and character images. This will help to break
down existing prejudices and misunderstandings, enhance understanding and respect
for different ethnicities and races. At the same time, this transformation will also have
a positive impact on the values of society, promoting its development towards a more
just and equal direction. “In our sample, 30% fewer women were presenters,
confirming this gap. In addition, the proportion of women presenters was lower than
the proportion of women physicians in internal medicine, with even fewer women
represented among external speakers or as introducers.” (Reem). Research has shown
that women are at a disadvantage compared to men at every stage of promotion,
although their numbers are roughly equal or they have similar abilities. This result
stems from multiple factors, one of which is the stereotype of women. Under the
promotion and influence of stereotypes, many people subconsciously believe that
women's abilities are inferior to those of men, or are portrayed as weak and
irresponsible. The promotion of television programs is extensive, and continuing to
promote stereotypes will deepen people's impression. On the contrary, if such
behavior is prohibited and different images of women are promoted, it can gradually
dispel this stereotype and give people a more comprehensive understanding and
understanding.
In conclusion, television programs should prohibit the promotion of stereotypes
about ethnicity or race, as this is not only to avoid misleading audiences and
exacerbating social prejudice, but also to promote social justice and equality, and
maintain social harmony and stability. People should work together to create a
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diverse, inclusive, and equal cultural atmosphere.

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Works Cited
Entman, Robert M., and Andrew Rojecki. The Black Image in the White Mind : Media
and Race in America. University of Chicago Press, 2000.
Hanna, Reem M., et al. “Language Matters: Is There Gender Bias in Internal
Medicine Grand Rounds Introductions?” Cureus, vol. 16, no. 5, May 2024,
https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.60573. Accessed 11 June 2024.
Heilman, Madeline E. “Description and Prescription: How Gender Stereotypes

Prevent Women’s Ascent up the Organizational Ladder.” Journal of Social
Issues, vol. 57, no. 4, Jan. 2001, pp. 657–74, https://doi.org/10.1111/0022-
4537.00234.
Seiter, Ellen. “Stereotypes and the Media: A Re-Evaluation.” Journal of

Communication, vol. 36, no. 2, June 1986, pp. 14–26,
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1460-2466.1986.tb01420.x.Accessed 23 Sept. 2019.

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Zhu 1

Wenyan Zhu (Judy)

Stop Promoting Stereotypes

In today's society, the influence of media is increasing day by day, especially

eliminate social prejudice and discrimination.

biases and misunderstandings. “The “flightiness” associated with women in the

perform the job of housewife. In the stereotype, it is negatively evaluated, ascribed to

engineer, or artist.This definition emphasizes the stereotypical definition of women,

sacrificing their foundation in the social structure.

Second, promoting stereotypes will exacerbate social prejudice and undermine

social harmony and stability. Stereotypes in television programs often reinforce

leading to the intensification of social conflicts. For example, racial discriminatory

remarks or behaviors in certain TV programs may cause dissatisfaction and protests

alleged perpetrators, we find approximately an equal number of Blacks and Whites

commit crime far in excess of their population proportions.At another, however,

them into symbols of threat.”(Entman& Rojecki, 81). There is a possibility of

leading people to focus more attention on black people in violent incidents.

In addition, prohibiting the promotion of stereotypes can help eliminate social

programs no longer promote stereotypes, viewers have the opportunity to be exposed

down existing prejudices and misunderstandings, enhance understanding and respect

represented among external speakers or as introducers.” (Reem). Research has shown

that women are at a disadvantage compared to men at every stage of promotion,

promotion and influence of stereotypes, many people subconsciously believe that

irresponsible. The promotion of television programs is extensive, and continuing to

promote stereotypes will deepen people's impression. On the contrary, if such

In conclusion, television programs should prohibit the promotion of stereotypes

diverse, inclusive, and equal cultural atmosphere.

Heilman, Madeline E. “Description and Prescription: How Gender Stereotypes

Seiter, Ellen. “Stereotypes and the Media: A Re-Evaluation.” Journal of

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