Representation of Social Groups In The StepsHanan Mohamed

Age represented in The Steps

• All five of the girls in the group are young and of adolescent age, from sixteen to seventeen years old. They have been portrayed as the typical teenagers – carefree almost to the point of being irresponsible and careless, as is seen when Krissy simply drops the camera (which is likely to be expensive) on the ground when Kelly screams even if it is for the good intention of running to her aid. Typical teenagers who don’t think about the consequences or the value of things.

• They’re seen as fun-loving, joking around and laughing together while the tent keeps falling and even shallow as their conversation is only about the here and now (making a video diary now, laughing at the tent falling on Kate again, asking if anyone remembered to bring that extra thing etc). This could be taken by some as to mean that they’re superficial.

• Conceited is another common stereotype of teenagers, and Kelly represents that whole-heartedly as she unashamedly jumps in front of the camera and completely blocks out Anna while touching up her hair and posing – it’s clear that she thinks a lot of herself. She seems confident but almost to the extent of arrogance, another trait which is associated with youth; they haven’t had the life experience yet to knock them down a few pegs and humble them.

Gender represented in The Steps

• All of the four are girls, but have different personalities therefore do not all represent the typical girl stereotypes within the media.

• Anna is quite shy, the submissive demure girl which would normally be seen as the ‘good girl’ within media. On the contrary, Kelly’s flamboyance seems only to highlight Anna’s conservative nature, the two of them often within the same shot but with Kelly to the foreground and occasionally blocking Anna from view – Anna who was noticed until Kelly bounded in, interrupting and leave her discouraged looking down.

• Kelly is more of the ‘bad girl’ stereotype – she’s quick to show off, not particularly considerate of others in their space, temperamental and flighty as she decides to leave to call her boyfriend to come and pick her up. This is selfish as it would mean he’d have to drop whatever he was doing at her whim to pick her up, particularly as she hasn’t even bothered to think it through for very long. Thus, befitting the ‘bad girl’ stereotype. She is also a typical female in how she’s very much focused on her appearance, having taken more time on her outfit than her others in a colourful blazer and ‘diva’ attitude though it’s only a camping trip in the woods and she’s going nowhere special.

Social Class represented in The Steps

• The girls have been represented as appearing to be middle class. Krissy who introduces herself and everyone else, is holding her digital camera which would be costly.

• They’re all camping together, which is more a habit associated with the middle classes than the working because you would need to be able to afford a tent first and then to afford the time off work to go on camping trips as well as paying for the space in some cases e.g. Festivals.

• Krissy is also wearing an expensive looking silver chain around her neck as well as large pearl earrings. Anna is wearing large headphones, which is something more affluent teenagers who can afford the pricier kind wear.