Relationship between Representation of Violence Against Women in TV Drama Serials and Reactivity of Viewers

Abstract

Purpose: The present study aims to explore the role of viewer’s reactivity of entertainment and empathy in their perception of violence against women among viewers of Lahore, Pakistan. The supplementary aim was also formulated to gain more clear insight which is the role of viewers’ gender in viewer’s reactivity and perception of violence against women. Design/Methodology/Approach Quantitative method was used in the study. Sample was consisted of 500 viewers of the thirty dramas serials of Geo, ARY Digital and Hum TV which presented violence against women. The participants were drawn through purposive and snowball sampling strategies. The sample has 233 male participants and 267 female participants. Findings: The findings indicated that viewer’s reactivity of both enjoyment and empathy correlated with perception of violence against women. Gender differences were found only for the one sub scale of perception (i.e., domination). Implications/Originality/Value: The findings highlighted that perception of violence against women was more inclined towards active violence being portrayed by the entertainment channels and chances to imitate the same behavior in society cannot be ruled out.