Our survey aimed to display the different views on gender roles, representations, and stereotypes both in society and through the use of major film pictures through different time periods.  

Out of all the participants, 45 females believed there is more equality between men and females now than in the past, while 5 females were unsure. One female did not think so. Out of the 16 men that completed the survey, all but one agreed that there was more equality between men and females now than in the past. 

When asked if the participants believe there is more equality in male and female gender roles in 2018 than a few decades ago, 90% agreed and said there was, while only 3% said there was not (8% being unsure). 85% of participants agreed that we shouldn’t teach females to be more emotional and caring while teaching males strong and resilient. No women said that we should, but 4 men agreed that we should continue these gender stereotypes. We asked the participants if they think the different ways boys and girls are treated affect the choices they make in their lives; for example, their education, and career etc.). We found that 87% think it does affect their life’s choices, while only 5% said it didn’t.

In terms of movies, we asked if gender roles portrayed in movies affects the way the participants saw themselves and their potential for their futures selves. 86% said it did affect the way they see themselves and their potential for their future selves.

 We asked, in terms of gender, if the participants had ideas of factors that influenced the way they saw themselves and their potential. One male said gender is not relevant to ‘our’ self-esteem. Another male said he never defined himself by his gender, or had never thought about it. A third male said the influence does not matter upon gender. Female answers were quite different. One female said a big influencer was the protagonists in films or books. Another female said a big influence is who we think our heroes are. When asked if the participants feel that gender rations in movies depict gender relations realistically, 50% said it did not depict these gender relations realistically, while 12% said it was realistic. 

60% of participants said women are underrepresented in movies, while 30% said they are not. 

We asked if participants feel as if women in movies majorly play minor roles, especially in action movies, while having bigger roles in romcom movies. 80% said yes, while 13% said no. 70% of participants said gender roles in movies have a big influence on how gender roles are seen in reality. 

Black Panther Data: 

We asked if after seeing Black Panther, the participants’ had a change in their perception of society. 

Some answers were said as followed:

  • “It hasn’t changed my perception of society. I think it represents themes and ideas that exist in our society already but on the fringes”
  • “I am hopeful that this is a step towards better representation at least in the industry and that might help altogether”
  • “It has brought previously underrepresented groups of individuals and portrayed them in a strong, positive way for future generations.”
  • “It hasn’t changed my perception as a POC but I think it let others see how cool POC led films could be, since it was so different yet followed the same formula of a marvel movie”
  • “Made me feel more hopeful about the way women of colour will be perceived and treated”

Male responses: 

  • “I just wasn’t struck by the fact that they used a strong female cast”
  • ‘It hasn’t chnaged my perception, you know I stay woke.” 

Kuch Kuch Hota Hai Data: 

50% of participants said this movie did reinforce gender stereotypes. 

75% said it has not influenced the way they believe women should be or should act. 

Star Wars Data: 

  • 70% of participants were impressed by Princess Leia’s strong and heroic behavior. 
  • 50% of participants said it has not influenced the way they portray female heroism.