Question

Gender and Age Roles in Magazine Advertisements

In this project, you will investigate gender and age stereotypes in magazines. Look at one widely circulated magazine, and evaluate how ads depict males and females of various ages (adolescence, and early, middle, and late adulthood). You should evaluate physical appearance, personality, and behaviors as they are depicted in the magazine ads. You must use the data sheet provided below to help organize your impressions. After completing the data collection, write a brief report that answers the questions that follow.

Writing Style

Your paper must be written APA style.

It must include reference page, abstract, cover page, and a running head APA style.

It must be 2-3 pages, excluding the cover page and reference page.

Questions:

• Are all age groups represented in advertisements?

• Who is underrepresented and overrepresented? Why do you think this is so?

• Compare the various groups in terms of the characteristics used to portray them. What generalizations about age and gender do these portrayals convey? Write a well thought analysis (about 200 words) on the comparison.

Data Sheet for Gender and Age Roles in Magazine Advertisements

Magazine Title _____

Issue Date _____

Number of Ads _____

ADOLESCENTS

BOYS

GIRLS

Physical appearance:

Body message:

Clothes:

Facial expressions:

Personality:

Intelligence:

Activities:

Verbal comments:

Sexuality

Other:

YOUNG ADULTS

MEN

WOMEN

Physical appearance:

Body message:

Clothes:

Facial expressions:

Personality:

Intelligence:

Activities:

Verbal comments:

Sexuality:

Other:

MIDDLE ADULTS

MEN

WOMEN

Physical appearance:

Body message:

Clothes:

Facial expressions:

Personality:

Intelligence:

Activities:

Verbal comments:

Sexuality:

Other:

OLD ADULTS

MEN

WOMEN

Physical appearance:

Body message:

Clothes:

Facial expressions:

Personality:

Intelligence:

Activities:

Verbal comments:

Sexuality:

Other:

Answer 1

Here, you can select a health magazine. This is because a health magazine is likely to help you fill the datasheet with ads that relate to all age groups. Once the data-sheet is filled, we shall look at ways answering the 3 questions mentioned here.
1. The first question's answer would be "yes". This is because a health magazine will showcase products suitable for all age groups and so will be the type of models shown with varying ages.
2. In a health magazine, underrepresented would be the young population and over presented would be elderly and middle aged ones. This is because elderly and middle aged adults are the ones facing several health issues as compared to the underrepresented that possess good health in their lifetime.
3. The old age is characterized by issues in the skin, bones, and muscles. The younger population would be highlighted with products that would enhance their well-balanced immunity. Generalisation with respect to age suggests a weakening of immune system and overall health with age and ways to strengthen the same. Gender difference is purely based on the hormonal imbalance and issues created by them with an increase in age and products that can help resolve the same.