Ethnic Stereotyping in Pakistani Dramas: University Students’ Perceptions and the Impact on Inter-Provincial Identity

Abstract

This paper analyses the attitude of Pakistani university students concerning the ethnic stereotyping depicted in Pakistani drama. This study considers a purposively selected sample of 200 students drawn from universities in Pakistan’s Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) provinces. As rooted in the media literacy theory, the research focuses on how media content affects the audience’s perception as regards specifically focusing on ethnic representations. The research goals include a concern to call attention to the ethnic stereotyping evident in Pakistani television dramas and a consideration as to how those representations impact educated youths. Some such prejudices are the character of Pathans as domestic help in Punjabi homes, Sindhis as illiterate male chauvinists who oppress women, and Balochs were shown unwise and easily dominated due to their illiteracy. Albany findings drawn from the survey reveal that students are very much conscious and even impacted by these stereotypical representations particularly students of color in Punjab. As a result, I argue how cognitive dissonance theory is used to present the discomfort and tension arising from the disparity between experiences and media depiction of the ethnic selves of students. The study concludes that ethnic stereotyping in Pakistani dramas significantly influences students’ perceptions of their own and others’ identities, perpetuating harmful cultural biases. Some of the recommendations highlighted are; the need to educate the students on the use of media, and the need for producers to provide a more accurate representation of ethnic diversities in the country to minimize stereotyping of ethnic groups in Pakistan.
Keywords: Cognitive Dissonance, Cultural Biases, Survey, Perceptions