Objectives:

To analyse and discuss the role of the media in promoting gender stereotypes, the roles of men and women in different communities and realities;
To discuss the images of men and women, provided by the media.

Materials:

One flip chart page for each group, scissors, glue, markers, men’s and women’s magazines. The entire activity is strongly dependent on the chosen magazines. Magazines, targeting namely the female or male readers – Cosmopolitan, Panelė, Glamour, Moteris, Tik Vyrams, etc. – raise the most discussions.

Process:

Divide the participants into groups of men and women. One group should not contain more than 7 participants.

Then ask the participants to create an image of a woman and a man, using only different magazines (make a collage). It is important to emphasize that they can use only the images, quotes or photos from the magazines. They cannot use their personal opinions or additional measures.

When the collages are complete, the participants are asked to introduce their work and tell why they chose namely those images.

Summary:

The major goal of the discussion and the summary is to encourage the participants to recognize men’s and women’s images, suggested by the media and be able to assess them using critical thinking. Also,

to notice gender stereotypes, which are usually used by the media (e.g. macho type men, or obedient women).

Possible summary questions:

• Do you agree with the images of men and women provided? Why?
• Can you recognize yourself or someone from your nearest environment in the images of men and women provided?
• In your opinion, why the media uses namely those images (photos, words)?
• What do these collages say about the ‘roles’ of men and women in the society?