Does the media tell society what should set off the tempers of both genders?

Question

For an example: It’s more likely you’ll see a lot of men get angry at the presence of another man who may prevail dominance accordingly to what the media preaches to society over the other male, and some women may become angry, or bitterly jealous of a woman society would often deem to be beautiful according to media standards.

Would you say this is how the media causes violence, and adolecent bullying amoungst each gender?

Answer 1

No.  The media simply exaggerates what society tells should set them off.  If the people aren't happy they will complain.  If the people aren't happy the media is far from happy.

Answer 2

Yes I would. But it also is a natural human tendency to be jealous of somebody else's success, and to strive to be better than your competition.

Answer 3

Great question.  I'm not sure if it causes bullying or not, but I would say that the media absolutely contributes to the depiction of gender roles in relation to the type of aggression that they are expected to display.  While some of these behaviors (female jealousy and male competition) are instilled in children and adolescents through environment and school (mimicry of others) the media (particularly commercials) do a fantastic job as making men feel inadequate if they are less successful than other men and women feel worthless if they are less beautiful than they are told they need to be.

One book that is great (it only focuses on female competition) is "Women's Inhumanity to Women" and it is illuminating.  There is also a documentary about media and male violence called "Tough Guise" which (although a bit boring) is great too.

Thanks for an actual question in Gender Studies and not just more anti-feminist ranting!