The Male Gaze: The male gaze is what is referenced when heterosexual cis-gendered males are assumed, or presumed, to be the largest and/or main viewers of the media. For example, characters in video games, comics, movies, and TV shows that are not specifically targeted towards women often act in a way that caters to such viewers. This means that females almost always hold passive roles, sexual roles, or both, while males act as the driving force of the story.
Smurfette Principle: The Smurfette principle is the tendency for works of fiction to have exactly one female amongst an ensemble of male characters, in spite of the fact that roughly one half of the population is female. This diminishes the impact women appear to have within that fictional world and can influence audience members to believe that having fewer women within a group, and fewer still with actual power, is natural and normal.
The Bechdel Test: The Bechdel test was created by Alison Bechdel in 1985. In order for a movie, TV show, comic, book, video game, etc. to pass the test it must fulfill these three conditions: 1) It must have two named women in it, 2) They must speak to each other, and 3) They must speak to each other about something other than a man. When held up against these conditions, it is truly shocking how many of our most beloved stories fall short.
Prominent Messages in TV: Whether a commercial or a show, there are certain messages that are almost always present. Among them, represented above, is what society deems the ideal body type and shape. For women, this ideal is about 5'6, fair skinned, thin, blemish free, hairless (aside from the top of their head), has breasts larger than a size B, has a small waist, and has long, straight hair. Sex and sexuality are also very prominent, not only endorcing heteronormativity but also leading individuals, especially younger individuals, to believe that people are having more sex more frequently than is actually the case.
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