Representation of Social Minorities as Reflected by American Netflix Original Shows: An Analytical Study

Abstract

This study examines the representation of social minorities as reflected by American Netflix Original Shows and the attitudes and features of their treatment, and identifies their characteristics, features, interests, and problems. Media Representation theoretical approach, Media Richness theory, the survey methodology and content analysis used, to examine a purposive sample of four American Netflix Original Shows that represented social minorities in the American society, which are: Nicky Jam: El Ganador, Russian Doll, Pose, and Special. Major findings conclude to that the presented characters belonged to ethnic minorities (64.3%), and they were young people (46.8%), males (57.4%), with a low social level (44.7%), unreligious (74.5%), struggling with unemployment (29.8%) and family disintegration (63.8%). The general attitude of their dramatic treatment was positive (44.7%) as features of support and sympathy prevailed (28.8%). Cooperation and participation prevailed among their positive features (25.4%) while obscenity prevailed among their negative features (41%). They were into social interests (30.8%) and struggled with self-threatening problems (58.9%). A correlation exists between the social minority groups which the presented characters belonged to and their positive and negative features, and between their problems on one side and their ages and social levels on the other side.