The portrayal of Egyptian women in tv and social media : drama versus reality

Abstract EN

All over the world, women have similar conditions in terms of how institutional arrangements define their position in society, in which traditions, norms, culture, race, class, among several others; shape their roles in their societies.

Despite historians consider the first wave of feminism started during the nineteenthcentury, many studies argue that full equality still has not been achieved.

Studies in psychology support that gender inequality is one of the gender stereotypes consequences as it is responsible for women's situation unimprovement and self-limiting behavior especially in most African cultures where stereotyping of women is a bane to the growth of women's positions and owned enterprises.

This paper contributes to the ongoing debate among researchers on media and its impact on women's image, stereotype, and empowerment in two ways: First: a series of studies points to the responsibility of media in cultivating negative stereotype of women with a noticeable violence.

Despite the findings of few studies indicate that the impact of drama may be limited but corelated with frequent media viewing.

Second, this study adopts both the stereotype threat theory and the social network empowerment approach.

These approaches may help in defining negative presented stereotypical images in media that may impact women negatively and explaining the dangers these negative portrayal images on women ability to present their real problems or to perform behaviors that may contradict the established traditions and norms of society.

As social media can help women to be in touch with one another for sharing ideas and concerns the current study investigates whether social media is empowering the Egyptian women or imposing more restrictions on her in expressing her reality.