The role of the media in gender imaginaries

On April 19, the School of Communication analyzed the relationship between the media and gender imaginary. This talk was given by María Isabel Cordero, a graduate in Social Communication Sciences and a master's degree in Sexual Education.

The role of the media is extremely important within the collective imagination, since they provide interpretive elements for social understandings, which are later reflected in individual positions and tendencies.

On the other hand, the concept of gender, which for 20 years has been part of academic discourse, is a social and symbolic construction on the roles of a person based on their sex.

"These assignments are not universal, the masculine and the feminine are built from sociocultural processes," says María Isabel Cordero.

One of the transversal axes when dealing with this conference was the use of language within the attributes of gender. The manifestation of what is consumed daily, in terms of communication, makes users feel identified with the parameters imposed on the feminine and masculine.

It is suggested that the language be inclusive, non-discriminatory and respectful. These elements are based on sexual diversity and the construction on the image that audiences perceive.

Cordero delves further on the subject: “Language builds realities. Only what is named becomes a reality, therefore, the role of communicators within inclusiveness is fundamental to combat discrimination ”.

It was mentioned that the applicability of inclusive language starts far beyond academic spaces, but also from its use in the daily lives of users.

"The daily mockery of sex-gender diversities has been a push for the normalization of discrimination," added Cordero.

Among the tips for proper language management with an inclusive perspective is the recognition of gender-gender diversities and research on them to adequately address the topic and context of the news to be covered.

UDA Correspondent