Muted Group Theory and the television show Mad Men.

Men and women have always had their differences. Researchers and scientist have been studying their differences for a long time. In one of my prior blog entries, I explored the Genderlect theory that explains how men and women communicate in their own language. Since we already established that we speak different languages, have we ever thought about which gender has the communicative power in society? In this blog entry we will discuss and apply the muted group theory.

Muted group theory suggests that there are different groups within society that are muted due to a more powerful group. Majority of the time, this is related to men and women; men being the power house for language, politics, and other communication outlets and women being the muted or silent group. Not only are women the subject of being mute, but minorities are also considered mute groups. These groups are mute because they usually end up conforming to the more dominant group due to their feeling there is no other option. I find this theory interesting because in today’s society we are taught to treat everyone equally and everyone should have a fair shot. But it would be naive to not acknowledge the realness of this theory in modern society.

Let us apply this theory to an awesome television show, Mad Men. Mad Men is a show based on a New York advertising agency in the 1960s, and of course heartthrob, Don Draper. This show is my new study buddy for applying many gender communication theories. Obviously, the 60s was a time of revolution for many groups and minorities and this show illustrates muted group theory very well. While there are women in the office, the majority of them are secretaries waiting on the men. In the last season Don ends up falling in love with his secretary, Megan, after he takes her on vacation with him to watch his kids. Megan initially didn’t feel comfortable going, but Don insisted. One example of the power he has over her and her job. When they got back Don announces to everyone that he and Megan are going to get married.

What is the big deal?  After Don announces the big news, Peggy and Joan talk with each other privately. Peggy is a copy writer, and Joan is director of agency operations. These two women have higher up positions at the company. Joan recently just got a higher position of director but of course, no pay because the company supposedly couldn’t afford it. She did not speak up because she felt there was no point, she would not win. She is part of the muted group. The two women are talking about how big of a joke the news was about Don and Megan. Then Joan says to Peggy “He is going to make her a copywriter, he won’t want to tell people he’s married to his secretary.” Pay attention to that statement. To me, this is telling that Megan will only get to be a copywriter because she is married to Don, not because she deserved it. Don, the man, has the power to put her in that position.

In this last episode Don and Megan get into a huge fight, initially over orange sherbet. Orange sherbet you ask? Yes, kind of. Megan is a revolution baby. She is much younger than Don. She is also much more independent than Don’s first wife, Betty. Betty is a home maker and basically takes care of their children. Megan is an independent kind of gal. Don is always telling her what to do, or think, or like, hence the orange sherbet. They are on their way to meet with a client a couple of hours away and Don tells her they have to stop at this place to get the best Orange Sherbet. They get there; the waitress comes by and asks if they would like any dessert. Megan asks for some pie, Don interrupts and says “no pie, how about a double orange sherbet”. The story goes on but that is a great example of muted group theory. Don ends up leaving her at the gas station with Megan screaming at him to not leave her there. He leaves because that is what he wants to do.

This application may be a little outdated but is still relevant to this theory. Let’s keep in mind that the 1960s really weren’t that long ago. There are still muted groups running around everywhere. It is important to remember this theory especially if you are considered part of a muted group. This is the way many societies work, and it is good to acknowledge there are people out there who do not have as strong of a voice as others.