Representation.

SOCIAL CLASS
The groups into which people are divided as a result of socio-economic inequality. The divisions between the social classes however are quite vague e.g. where the working class end and the middle class begin. Class is also closely related to status and lifestyle.
The social class system is regarded as 'Meritocratic.'

(A system in which advancement is based on individual ability or achievement.)

i.e. where social position is achieved by merit rather than ascribed by birth.

Upper Class

Inherited wealth, ascribed status. Owners of the ‘means of production’ e.g. landowners, titled gentry, aristocracy etc.

• Middle Class
  Those in skilled non-manual and professional occupations (white collar workers). Middle class may be ascribed or achieved.
• Working Class
  Manual occupations, both skilled and unskilled.
• Under Class
  Excluded groups, usually due to poverty and lack of employment. Often presented by the media as deviant – addicts/spongers etc.
• 
  
• DISABILITY 
• - The word "disabled" causes much debate. The 'dis' suffix is a negative one, implying reversal, and disabled in the dictionary heads a list of many negative words - disappoint, discard etc.

- Disabled as meaning made ineffective, unfit or incapable - those members of the population who find themselves labelled with this term may feel tarred as the word implies that they are unfit for anything and incapable of effectiveness in any field
Colin Barnes (1992) defined the portrayals of disabled people into 10 categories: 

- As pitiable and pathetic

• - As an object of violence
• - As sinister and evil
• - As a curiosity
• - As super cripple
• - As an object of ridicule
• - As their own worst and only enemy
• - As burden
• - As sexually abnormal
• - As incapable of participating fully in community life
• - As normal
• 
  

SEXUALITY
Sex is the mass media, especially within the moving image, it is becoming increasingly frequent & explicit. (About 66% of prime shows contain some sexual content)
Sex sells: "Viewers can observe depictions of intimacy & affection, marriage, family life & gender roles, as well as erotic behaviour, right in their living rooms'

Sexual Activity: Almost 23% of the sexual portrayals involve characters from the age of 18-24. About 9% involve characters under 18.


Homosexuality: Homosexuality is still not fully accepted in today's society and traditional patriarchal portrayals of both men and women are still dominant.

- Men are still seen to be powerful and successful and rational in thinking. It is still uncommon for men to appear emotional and sensitive. As a result of this homosexuality is rarely seen on TV.
~ When homosexuals do appear as characters on TV they are usually depicted negatively as 'Villains of ridicule.'
- Often it is difficult to identify gay or lesbian characters thus programmes have adopted signs of gayness in order to portray characters sexuality quicker and easier.
- Such signs include certain gestures, clothing and even code of language adopted in order to visualise.