Research Article Review: Exploring Gender Representation on Social Media Through Dramaturgy

Social media has become a stage for self-expression, where individuals share moments, opinions, and curated representations of themselves. However, how men and women choose to portray themselves on these platforms often reflects cultural and societal gender norms. In some cases, religious texts are even employed to reinforce these roles.

A study titled "Dramaturgy of Gender Roles in Personal Outreach on Social Media Through Religious Texts," authored by Musfiah Saidah, Maya Maulidia, Diah Ayu, and Rafiq Subhi, and published in Jurnal Harkat: Media Komunikasi Gender in 2023, investigates this phenomenon. The research analyzes how men and women use social media as a "stage" to perform gender-specific roles, influenced by cultural expectations and religious values.

Social Media as a Performance Platform

The research adopts Erving Goffman’s dramaturgy theory, which likens social interactions to theatrical performances. In this framework, social media is seen as a “stage” where users carefully curate content—status updates, captions, and photos—to present themselves in specific ways.

Gendered Patterns of Expression

The study identifies distinct patterns in the way men and women utilize social media. Women are more inclined to highlight social and emotional aspects of their lives by sharing inspirational messages or religious quotes. Conversely, men often showcase leadership and authority by posting about their achievements or expressing religious viewpoints.

Women’s social media activity tends to reflect their personal emotions and life experiences, with content often chosen to align with their psychological state. In contrast, men’s content is more formal, aimed at demonstrating knowledge or social standing rather than personal emotions.

Understanding the Front Stage and Back Stage

In Goffman’s theory, interactions are divided into two spaces:

• Front Stage: This represents the public persona that users project on social media, carefully crafted through posts, captions, and images to create a desired impression. For instance, users might share religious quotes or motivational messages to project a specific identity.
• Back Stage: This is a private space where individuals can express themselves more freely, away from public scrutiny. For example, while a post might project calmness and wisdom, it may stem from personal struggles or internal conflict behind the scenes.

This duality sheds light on how individuals navigate between public performance and private authenticity on social media, particularly in the context of gender and religious expression.

Broader Implications

The study provides valuable insights into how social media amplifies gender roles influenced by cultural and religious norms. It reveals how digital platforms are used as tools for self-presentation and identity negotiation.

For the general public, these findings highlight how societal expectations shape online behavior. For researchers and professionals in communication, gender studies, and media, the research offers a foundation for exploring the interplay between digital identity, cultural norms, and religion.

Key Takeaways

The study concludes that men and women utilize social media as a “front stage” to display identities that align with traditional gender roles through the use of religious texts. Men often focus on asserting authority and knowledge, while women emphasize emotional connections and personal experiences. These trends illustrate how gender norms and religious values intersect in the digital realm, making social media a platform for both expression and cultural reflection.

Research Article Details:
Title: Dramaturgy of Gender Roles in Personal Outreach on Social Media Through Religious Texts
Published in: Jurnal Harkat: Media Komunikasi Gender
Authors: Musfiah Saidah, Maya Maulidia, Diah Ayu, and Rafiq Subhi
Link: Read the full article