: Figures within popular culture (both ‘real’ – e.g. music artists – and ‘fictional’ – e.g. TV drama characters) can perpetuate or challenge stereotypes about gender. Critically discuss examples of both the perpetuation and challenge of gender stereotypes within popular culture.Theories to consider: Gender, social constructionism, hegemony, patriarchy, ‘male gaze’, socialisation Points to consider:Common sense understandings of gender a) conflate sex and gender and b) understand gender as a binary. Is this hegemonic understanding being challenged or perpetuated or both in specific examples?Furthermore, the cultural and social construction of narratives, norms, expectations around different genders can be maintained in part through the media – do your examples reproduce these or challenge them?
