Content-Based Study on Ek Thi Mariam: Changing Gender Role Portrayal in Media

Abstract

Gender role development is very important among children during the phase of their personality development. This results in the formation of gender identity, which later determines the type of gender role exhibited by the child in later life. Home is the main platform from where the key features of personality for a child is shaped up. Similarly, variable gender roles are also being taught by the family members. The growing media and its impact also play significant role in this regard. The current research made an account of how the gender role portrayal is changing in media and its respective impact on gender role shift in the society. This objective was achieved by conducting a survey on the content portrayed in a Pakistani movie “Ek Thi Marium” (2016). The study followed quantitative descriptive research method. Purposive sampling technique was used based on the objective or purpose of the study. The sample comprised of 40 university students aging from 16-30 years old, such that mean age is 25.3 Findings suggest that the media today is displaying a changed gender role instead of gender stereotypical portrayal. The study was conducted with a limited sample, in future, however, studies could be expanded, and sample size could be increased to get a holistic picture. It could help future research to identify the modern trends and to study the effect of these variations among individuals of different age groups.