Portrayal of Perception of Women in Domestic Series and its Comparison with the Real-Life Woman’s Figure, From Woman’s Perspective

ABSTRACT

Aim and Importance of the Study: TV series play a key role in shaping the society. In this study, the aim is to identify the authenticity of the woman’s roles portrayed in the series with the real life and make comparison of with the real-life woman’s figure as well as to review the image of woman from woman’s perspective, which is represented to the public and determine to what extent this image can be perceived as role model. This study intends to raise awareness in resetting and redesigning women’s roles in TV series.

The Research Method: In this study, out of Qualitative Research Methods, the method of interviewing was applied. Stewart and Cash (1985) described interviewing as “a process of dyadic, relational communication with a predetermined and serious purpose designed to interchange behavior and involv- ing the asking and answering of questions”. From woman’s perspective, 10 women professionals got involved in the research conducted on the portrayal of perception of women and its comparison with the real-life woman’s figure and their responses were analyzed using the qualitative research methods. The relevant resources in literature were also reviewed and the woman’s figure in TV series was examined.

The Study’s Aim and Research Questions: In today’s broadcasting, TV series have great importance. This study aims to assess the perception of woman in TV series followed by a great majority of public from woman’s perspective and examine the presented perception through comparison with the real-life woman’s figure, and these research questions were asked such below:

1)       How do you think are women portrayed in domestic TV series?

2)       What extent is that model of woman authentic with the real life?

3)       What would you say when asked to characterize the women that you have viewed in the series?

4)       Do the economic statuses of the women portrayed in TV series correspond to those in the real life?

5)       How should the woman’s figure be in those series when considering its potential implications in the society?

Findings and Conclusion: As a result of this study, it was observed that there are limited similarities between the serial female characters and the real life figures. It is observed that they are portrayed as powerless, weak, whiny and under male dominance, or class- and power-focused, wealthy, ambitious, dominant and intriguing and with beautiful physicalities.