TOXIC MASCULINITY’S DEPICTION AND GENDER EQUALITY IN SINDH: A CONTENT ANALYSIS OF KTN (Kawish Television Network) DRAMAS

Abstract

This research examines the depiction of toxic masculinity through Sindhi dramas of KTN (Kawish Television Network) in Sindh. The study also explores the negative effects and impacts of toxic masculinity depiction on gender equality within the context of Sindh, a province in Pakistan. Toxic masculinity, characterized by rigid gender norms, dominance, aggression, and suppression of vulnerability, is frequently perpetuated and reinforced through almost two hundred dramas on aired on Sindhi TV Channels like KTN TV, Sindh TV and Awaz TV depicting toxic masculinity, toxic cultural practices, and aggressive public discourse. This research study has adopted the qualitative approach to investigate and analyze the primary data randomly selected dramas. This research work triangulated the theory of hegemonic masculinity and theory of social construct to find out root causes of gender inequalities in Sindh. Henceforth, to address the problem statement, different case studies of Sindhi dramas and soap serials are included to showcase toxic masculinity which have been incorporated and analyzed. The study has found that Sindhi media (including social media) specially Sindhi TV Channels produced soap serials and dramas are full of toxic masculinity that further deteriorate the already worsened gender equality position in Sindh province, Pakistan. Therefore, this research work is unique because first time gender inequalities and biases are discussed with social construct of toxic masculinity