When ALL Aspects of Media Normalize Toxic Behavior Towards Women, How Do We End Femicide?

Media holds incredible power over our beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors. Everything we consume—movies, television shows, music, news, books, even advertising—plays a role in shaping our perceptions of gender and the dynamics between men and women. Sadly, much of this content subtly (or openly) reinforces harmful stereotypes and outdated narratives, contributing to the normalization of control and violence against women.

When these damaging messages are repeated often enough, they can create an environment where extreme actions, like femicide, are seen as a logical, if unspoken, outcome for men seeking control over women.

1. The Problem of Portrayal: How Women Are Depicted in Media

One of the most pervasive issues in media is how women are portrayed—often as objects, secondary characters, or people whose lives and autonomy are inextricably linked to male approval or ownership. This portrayal sends subtle signals that women’s worth is tied to men, reinforcing an “ownership” mentality in viewers.

• Objectification: Media often presents women as objects of desire, prioritizing their appearance over their intelligence, independence, or aspirations, leading men to feel entitled to manage women’s lives.
• Secondary Roles: In most narratives, women are supporting characters, reinforcing their dependence on men and diminishing their autonomy.
• Negative Stereotypes: Women are frequently depicted as manipulative, overly emotional, or submissive, which can lead to the belief that they need to be “put back in their place.”

2. Romanticizing Control & Possessiveness in Relationships

Popular media often romanticizes control, jealousy, and even violence in relationships. Characters who exhibit possessive or controlling behavior are portrayed as passionate or misunderstood. This can condition audiences to view these behaviors as normal or even desirable.

• Jealousy as a Sign of Love: Media often frames jealousy as a deep love rather than insecurity or control.
• “If I Can’t Have You, No One Can” Narrative: This trope portrays obsession and control as tragic heroism, making violence seem like a reasonable reaction.
• Glorifying the “Bad Boy” Image: Media glamorizes controlling behavior, reinforcing the acceptability of abusive or controlling behavior as a trade-off for passion.

3. Media’s Focus on Male Narratives in Femicide Cases

In media coverage of femicide or domestic violence, a disturbing focus often lands on the perpetrator’s motives and personal struggles, subtly justifying his actions and diminishing the victim’s suffering.

• Sympathizing with Perpetrators: Highlighting a perpetrator’s struggles can make audiences empathize with the abuser over the victim.
• Ignoring Victim’s Humanity: News stories often minimize victims, making their experience secondary to the perpetrator’s story.
• Romanticized Language: Terms like “crime of passion” or “love gone wrong” can make femicide seem like a result of intense emotions rather than deliberate violence.

4. Violence as a Solution in Entertainment Media

Action films and dramas often depict violence as a justified response to complex situations, sending a message that violence is not only acceptable but necessary to achieve resolution.

• Heroes Who Use Violence: Male protagonists are celebrated for using violence to get what they want, potentially normalizing force as a legitimate way to control relationships.
• Consequences are Minimized or Romanticized: Violence in the name of love or revenge is depicted as emotionally complex, making similar behaviors easier to rationalize.

5. The Role of Advertising and Consumerism in Reinforcing Control

Advertising often reinforces stereotypes and biases that underpin a culture of control over women, with messaging that subtly suggests men have the right to dictate how women look, act, or present themselves.

• Beauty Standards: Advertising frequently suggests that women must meet standards to be acceptable, perpetuating the idea that men have authority over women’s presentation.
• Products Targeting Men with Themes of Power: Ads for men’s products often promote power, dominance, and control, reinforcing masculinity as linked to control and domination.

6. Shifting the Narrative: Media’s Potential Role in Change

Media can challenge harmful narratives by depicting healthy relationships, strong female leads, and holding perpetrators accountable, reshaping public perceptions and challenging deeply rooted gender norms.

• Highlighting Women’s Stories and Struggles: Media can emphasize women’s experiences, creating empathy and awareness around femicide and domestic abuse.
• Promoting Healthy Relationship Dynamics: Entertainment and advertising can show relationships built on respect, equality, and consent, challenging toxic norms.
• Exposing the Consequences of Abuse and Control: Documentaries, news stories, and narratives can focus on the real-life consequences of abuse, helping to dismantle myths surrounding “crimes of passion.”

Final Thoughts: The Media’s Power & Responsibility

Media profoundly influences how we view and interact with the world. When it normalizes control, jealousy, and possessiveness in relationships, it not only reinforces these behaviors but also makes them appear logical responses to complex emotions.

If we want to address femicide and reduce gender-based violence, we must hold media accountable for the messages it promotes. By challenging toxic stereotypes and promoting healthier narratives, media can reshape public attitudes toward gender, respect, and equality, helping to create a world where control and violence are no longer seen as solutions.