What we see in the media can effect us in many ways, some that we aren't even aware of. The media not only has the power of effecting people's mindsets and forming peoples opinions, but also has the ability to create and reinforce stereotypes to a mass audience in a matter of seconds. For example, the TV show How I Met Your Mother, reinforces multiple stereotypes in our society. Being a fan of the show, it is easy to fall into the story and believe that some of the ridiculous circumstances that take place on the show actually take place in real life. I will focus on the three stereotypes depicted in the show that stand out most to me:
- Guys will do ANYTHING for sex.
- Pretty girls are dumb and gullible.
- Good guys finish last.
Barney Stinson, played by Neil Patrick Harris, is one of my favorite characters in the show. He lives a perfect bachelor's lifestyle, has a beautiful apartment, wears nothing but the most expensive suits, is rich and powerful and hooks up with hundreds of beautiful women. But what makes Barney so intriguing is how he goes about getting women to sleep with him. Barney is the definition of a womanizer and is proud of it. He represents an exaggerated stereotype that men will lie, cheat, and do whatever else it takes to get "the one thing every man wants"...SEX.
How I Met Your Mother- Barney's Playbook
The YouTube clip above, shows Barney's Playbook which is filled with hundreds of ridiculous ways to take a woman home. These "plays" are a perfect example of how this particular media outlet reinforces a cultural stereotype. Everyday woman accuse men of lying to get sex and this show has shown every possible way how through Barney. Resistance could take place in this instance because men know that this depiction of a Bachelor is an hyperbole. I also feel that women would agree that men aren't that bad but the majority of a woman's resistance would be driven by the second stereotype reinforced by this show.
Barney Stinson Picks up Girls as the Terminator
The YouTube clip above shows another one of Barney's ridiculous plans to pick up a woman. This plan show's no creativity and is pretty dumb right? But then how does it work? How does any of his ridiculous plans work? Its simple, because the women in the show are just as dumb, if not dumber then the plans. Of course the woman are gorgeous with perfect bodies, but it ends there. HIMYM show's all of these beautiful women as dumb and naive, which is a stereotype that people have. Some people look at pretty women and think that they use their looks and bodies to succeed, instead of having to be smart and use their minds. HIMYM supports that stereotype perfectly. I feel that all women would resist this stereotype because they know that in the real world being pretty isn't always enough.
HIMYM-lot of alcohol drinking
The above link shows a video of the shows foundation; drinking. Every single episode of HIMYM has at least one scene of the friends at a bar drinking and having a good time. The main apartment for the show is even connected to the groups favorite bar. If you knew nothing about American culture and watched this show I can guarantee that you would think all American's do is drink. And sadly that is a stereotype that a lot of people hold. I personally resist this notion because even though I am a college student surrounded by alcohol on a regular basis, I don't drink and although with that mindset I'm a minority, I'm not alone. I think that many American's would resist this stereotype because there's a lot more to our culture then beer and liquor.
Although HIMYM is one of my favorite shows, I do recognize that there are some stereotypes that the show reinforces. With that being said I don't feel that this show is detrimental to our society because the way they portray these stereotypes are so intense that it's more funny then offensive.
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