Identity

In what ways can we define ourselves to ourselves and to others?

• Appearance; class, status, care
• Type of clothes; personality, type of identification - goth
• Age; young, old, teen, child etc.
• Nationality
• Friends which you hang out with, social groups
• Likes and dislikes
• Sexuality
• Your name
• How you speak. (Accent)
• Religion 
• Being interested in a television show, band etc.

KEY THEORY 7

David Gauntlet - Theories of identity

Gauntlet believes that despite many negative perceptions of the media, audiences are capable of constructing their own identities through what they see on television. Additionally he writes there are now many more representations of gender that the traditional gender binary.

How to phrase things which may be 'wrong'

- stereotypically 

MEN 

• Masculine appearance/fashion choices
• Shorter hair
• Physically strong 
• Provide money
• Men work for the family
• Good at practical skills like fixing things
• Decent at sports
• Brave
• Dominant
• Controlling
• Backbone of society 
• Unemotional

WOMEN

• Emotional
• Weaker
• Feminine
• Wears makeup

Our perception of gender roles comes from the media, history, religion and the government. Past knowledge, from our family and friends. In each situation, this reinforces our perception of the world. 

Identity is fluid. This means it changes over time. 

Representation is a construction of reality.