Television shows have long been a source of entertainment for people of all ages and genders. In some homes, it can even be a bonding activity that brings the family together. I personally have so many memories of my family and I huddling in front of the TV to binge watch shows during our summer holidays. I must admit, I love TV shows and can re-watch them over and over.
However, it is important to acknowledge the fact that some TV shows have portrayed men in a manner that is not only inappropriate but also harmful and sadly this is growing. From perpetuating toxic masculinity to promoting unhealthy relationship dynamics, there are several things TV shows do to men that are just not okay.
Let's take a look:
Portraying Men as Emotionless Beings:
One of the most common ways in which TV shows have misrepresented men is by portraying them as unemotional beings who are not capable of expressing their feelings. The Sopranos, for example, often portrays Tony Soprano as a stoic, unemotional figure, despite experiencing significant emotional turmoil throughout the series. Similarly, the male characters in Mad Men are often portrayed as emotionally detached, particularly when it comes to their relationships with women. How I met your mother is guilty of the same through most of the series with Barney and the list goes on. This is one thing I appreciated about Jane The Virgin because Rogelio is shown feeling all his feelings and you just can't help but love him… I can't help but think we need more of him. Jack Pearson from This Is Us is another great example of a man who wore his heart on his sleeve and was a beloved character.
Promoting Toxic Masculinity:
Toxic masculinity refers to a set of traits and behaviors that are associated with traditional gender roles, such as aggression, dominance, and control 'You's' Joe Goldberg ring a bell? The Bachelor franchise also promotes a toxic form of masculinity by ensuring their contestants all fit a certain body type as if that's they only version of beauty that's fit for the Bachelor. Greenleaf, Gossip Girl and How I met your mother are all examples of TV shows rife with Toxic Masculinity. The ones that undo this are The Bold Type (que Ian being secure in his wife's success), This Is Us as Randall and Beth work as a team toward a better future and Randall takes accountability for his mistakes and Suits.
Romanticizing Unhealthy Relationship Dynamics:
TV shows often romanticize unhealthy relationship dynamics, such as jealousy, possessiveness, and controlling behavior. Gossip Girl, for example, portrays male characters as possessive and controlling in their relationships with women, particularly with their love interests (Chuck ringing any bells?). Similarly, Pretty Little Liars portrays male characters as controlling and manipulative, particularly in their relationships with the female protagonists. The examples of this are too plentiful to list. From Love is Blind to FRIENDS, to One Tree Hill to The Office…you get the point.
Portraying Men as Sex Objects:
TV shows often objectify men, portraying them as sex objects for the entertainment of the audience. Magic Mike is one example but don't even get me started on The Bachelor! There could be a whole drinking game on the number of Zach's shower scenes from the latest season. Gilmore Girls is also guilty of this as Lorelei and Sookie talk about Luke as a piece of meat.
Displaying men as spineless pawns who are easy to manipulate.
All it takes is a woman with a nice rack and a face caked in make up, and a man will do anything? Reign, Ginny and Georgia, How to get away with murder and One Tree Hill are just a few examples..
In conclusion, it is important to acknowledge the fact that some TV shows have been guilty of perpetuating harmful stereotypes and negative attitudes towards men. By promoting toxic masculinity, romanticizing unhealthy relationship dynamics, and disrespecting men's personal boundaries, TV shows can create an environment that is harmful to men's mental health and well-being. As viewers, it is important to be aware of these harmful portrayals and to demand better representation of men in television shows. This cannot continue to be the norm
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