Although George Clooney boasts that Hollywood is ahead of its time, a new study shows that women in movies still don't get the same respect as men.
A study of the 100 top-grossing films of 2008 by Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism at the University of Southern California finds that men had 67 per cent of the speaking parts, while women had only 33 per cent.
Yet actresses were more likely to be shot in sexy clothing (26 per cent of the time vs. five per cent for men) or at least partially naked (24 per cent vs. eight per cent), USA Today reports.
The actresses most likely to be shown in a provocative light were teenagers, at 40 per cent of the time.
This compares to 32 per cent for female characters age 21 to 39 and 30 per cent for older women.
Teen girls were called 'attractive' by another character on screen 29 per cent of the time, compared to 18 per cent of the time for women ages 21 to 39 and eight per cent for women over 40.
The researchers also noted that there were five times as many male directors, writers and producers as female.
Films that debuted in 2008 include 'The Dark Knight', 'Twilight', 'Iron Man', 'The Duchess', 'Gran Torino', 'Quantum of Solace', 'Vicky Christina Barcelona', 'The Reader', 'Frost/Nixon', 'Pineapple Express' and 'Forgetting Sarah Marshal'.
A number of actors have complained over the years that Hollywood doesn't offer as many 'meaty' speaking roles to women as it does to men, and this latest study would seem to back that claim up.
The study authors also warned that the trend may reinforce the idea that women can be viewed as sex objects.
On the other hand, men are more likely to be depicted as leaders and movers and shakers in their fields.
The study authors also decry what they see as a trend of sexualizing girls at ever younger ages, including through recent fashions and on television.
As the average age for girls to hit puberty continues to decline in the U.S., what the researchers fear is gradually becoming true in a biological sense, as well as a cultural sense.
A study of the 100 top-grossing films of 2008 by Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism at the University of Southern California finds that men had 67 per cent of the speaking parts, while women had only 33 per cent.
Yet actresses were more likely to be shot in sexy clothing (26 per cent of the time vs. five per cent for men) or at least partially naked (24 per cent vs. eight per cent), USA Today reports.
Boys' club: A new study of major movies released in 2008 - like 'Iron Man' - found that men were more likely to have speaking parts, while women were more likely to be shown in states of undress
Teen drama: The 'Twilight' movies are part of a trend that sees young girls increasingly depicted in sexual and romantic ways, according to the study
LEADING MEN VS. LADIES
Per cent of speaking roles:
Men: 67
Women: 33
Per cent of 'sexy' characters:
Men: 5
Women: 26
Per cent of naked characters:
Men: 8
Women: 24This compares to 32 per cent for female characters age 21 to 39 and 30 per cent for older women.
Teen girls were called 'attractive' by another character on screen 29 per cent of the time, compared to 18 per cent of the time for women ages 21 to 39 and eight per cent for women over 40.
The researchers also noted that there were five times as many male directors, writers and producers as female.
Films that debuted in 2008 include 'The Dark Knight', 'Twilight', 'Iron Man', 'The Duchess', 'Gran Torino', 'Quantum of Solace', 'Vicky Christina Barcelona', 'The Reader', 'Frost/Nixon', 'Pineapple Express' and 'Forgetting Sarah Marshal'.
Screen vixens: 'Quantum of Solace' and 'Vicky Christina Barcelona', two films that played in 2008, had their share of sexy female characters
Sexy bookworm: Kate Winslett shows some skin in 'The Reader'
The study authors also warned that the trend may reinforce the idea that women can be viewed as sex objects.
On the other hand, men are more likely to be depicted as leaders and movers and shakers in their fields.
The study authors also decry what they see as a trend of sexualizing girls at ever younger ages, including through recent fashions and on television.
As the average age for girls to hit puberty continues to decline in the U.S., what the researchers fear is gradually becoming true in a biological sense, as well as a cultural sense.
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