The relationship between the self-hyper femininity acceptance and objectification perception among female television presenters during primetime in Lebanon

Abstract

The research is designed to investigate the impact of the relationship between self-hyper femininity acceptance and objectification perception among female television presenters during primetime in Lebanon along with identifying the perception of viewers towards these (primetime) female presenters. The research will help in identifying if there is a significant relationship between the two variables; (i) self-hyper femininity and self-objectification; Lebanese primetime TV presenters and the objectified perception of audience. This study started with a literature review that is based on the self- hyper femininity acceptance and objectification perceptions, gender roles and sex theory, male gaze, castration and Laura Malvey study, feminism and feminist theory, objectification theory, sexual objectification and its acceptance, and the aftermath of sexual objectification. Unfortunately, in all parts of the cultures the visual media ensures that women are noticed for their physical appearance and sexuality not for their intellectual and intelligence. The methodology part aims to identify how female presenters of primetime programs on Lebanese TV shows perceive themselves, and second how viewers of these Lebanese shows perceive these female presenters. So qualitative and quantitative research designs are utilized. The quantitative research approach assesses relationships between variables and study the perception, attitudes, or behaviors of a large population. Analysis thus in a quantitative research design is based on the number of respondents, frequencies, and their equations. Consequently, results obtained from a quantitative research are objective since they are based on numbers. This quantitative research is based on random sampling that was applied because respondents were selected randomly, anyone who watches TV is a potential respondents. The questionnaire was uploaded through a link using Google forms and accordingly distributed over a sample of 400 respondents. On the other hand, a qualitative approach is used to collect detailed and rich information of a small population based on in depth interviews. The population under this study includes all female TV presenters on Lebanese TV channels that present programs during prime time. The population is not very big in comparison to other population. In fact, six private TV stations operate in Lebanon. They include MTV, LBC, Aljadeed, NBN, OTV, and Future TV. The population is 10 presenters, and the sample under study is only six of them who are: Ghada Eid, Carla Haddad, Anabella Hilal, Carmen Saleme, Zeina Janbieh, Sawsan Safa. The findings of the research identified how female presenters of primetime programs on Lebanese TV shows perceive themselves and how are these TV female presenters perceived by the audience. According to the results obtained, the audience of prime time on TV believe that female TV presenters in Lebanon are beautiful and attractive, males are more likely to think that these presenters are strong and powerful and have authority and impact over the society. Respondents also believe that female TV presenters in Lebanon are known for their physical and sex appeal. In comparison to the self perception of the TV presenters, they considered themselves as attractive and beautiful. Majority of them consider that beauty and attraction is very important to become successful in presenting any program. For majority of presenters the look and appearance is very essential to hook up and attract the audience but the content of the program is what keeps them watching. That is why, majority of TV presenters perceive themselves as highly feminine and not hyper feminine because they consider that the appearance and the program content complement each other. As a conclusion, results indicated that Lebanese viewers do perceive females TV presenters of prime time shows as hyper feminine and consider that hyper femininity contribute in the success of the TV presenter due to the fact that 3 out of the top 4 according to the viewers’ perceptions are hyper feminine. Yet since the second most successful presenter was not perceived as hyper feminine, other factors like the content and the material being delivered influence the success of these presenters. Interviews with the TV presenters confirmed the results of the questionnaire, the interviewees indicate the importance of the look and the appearance but they also emphasized on the content of the program.