A Critical Analysis of Female Depictions in Pakistani Drama: Using a Mixed Methods Approach

Abstract

The goal of this research is to establish the current subject of dramas in Pakistan. The study focuses on the representation of women's images in Pakistani dramas. The study tries to find out how Pakistani media depicts the role of women in society, either close to reality or the opposite. The researcher followed a mixed-method approach, incorporating a systematic literature review, a survey, and content analysis of Pakistani dramas to investigate the phenomenon. Total 20 research studies were examined, out of which 12 research papers coincided with the topic using the purposive sampling technique. The survey population for the study consisted of 120 viewers. The researcher approached the Normative theories and fielded the questionnaire including the queries regarding the common perception about the representation of women in Pakistani drama serials. The study reveals that women objectification and stereotyped characters are the top trends gaining huge ratings. The study investigates the behavior and reaction of people regarding the depiction of women's roles in dramas and also evaluates the impact of these dramas on women themselves as well as on society. The study's outcomes reveal that Pakistani television series missed the mark in reflecting the true picture of Pakistani women within the context of cultural values and norms, leading to a lack of viewer satisfaction.