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Gender representations in Lebanese television: inequality on and behind the small screen
Abstract
This paper examines women’s behind-the-scenes employment (writers, producers, directors,) and variety of representations (number of female roles in a given program, the types of roles, whether women continue to be stereotyped in certain categories) in Lebanese television programming, an area of research that remains particularly understudied in the Arab world. The aim was to highlight whether Lebanese drama and comedy programs continue to under-employ and/or under-represent women or represent them in stereotypical and subordinate roles, whether in the home or the workplace. Indeed, these (under- or mis) representations are not exclusive to Lebanese or Arab media; recent findings from a number of US studies continue to demonstrate the negative and diminished role of women across a number of genres, and their under-representation in the higher echelons of behind-the-scenes work. A multi-method approach was employed, beginning with a content analysis of the seven major networks over a select number of evenings during a month to collect an objective, quantitative, and systematic description of media content as it pertains to gender roles on Lebanese television and behind the scenes. This was followed by a textual analysis of select programming on each channel in order to examine and explore the potential meanings associated with the messages in these media texts. Although there has been a discernible growth in online media audiences over the years, television remains a primary source of entertainment for audiences across the region (and beyond). Moreover, because of its established socializing role, how women are portrayed on television has an impact on audiences. The obvious consequences – self-esteem, beauty ideals, subordination, victimization – have been well documented (c.f. Conway 2013; Wykes and Gunter 2005; Wolf 1991). One of the few studies to address similar issues in Arab media involved a quantitative content analysis of women’s roles in 15 Arabic and 3 Turkish drama serials on transnational Arab television channels. The authors argued that, in addition to women being underrepresented and “portrayed in sex-typed occupations, activities and settings” (Kharroub and Weaver, 2014), there were differences stemming from which Arab countries produced the programs: more conservative countries presented more “sex-typed portrayals than the more liberal Arab countries.” These conclusions are inconsistent with the present study’s findings. Although Lebanon is considered one of the more liberal Arab countries, an analysis of the content on Lebanese television suggests that when it comes to depictions of women the portrayals (and stereotypes) are not always very different.
Discipline
Media Arts
Geographic Area
Lebanon
Sub Area
Gender/Women's Studies