Can you post links to or describe images of women in the media that you think are concerning or problematic in some way? I've started with the links from your 1st night agenda.
There is an article in the "Undergraduate Research Journal for the Human Sciences" titled "The Objectification and Dismemberment of Women in the Media." http://www.kon.org/urc/v5/greening.html
This article suggests that our own culture socializes girl and women to internalize observer's perspectives on their own bodies. Often girls or women will live their lives in the third person. Through the media (glamorous stars and models) and advertisement, females learn to be more concerned with the way they externally look to others instead of focusing on internal body attributes such as feelings and emotions. This is called self-objectification. The consquences may contribute to eating disorders, several mental health risks, and sexual dysfunction.
This topic has been brought up many times throughout courses both in high school and on the college level. Most designer ads include girls(almost never middle aged women) set in seductive poses, a full face of make up, and almost always has a smoldering look (do women never smile anymore?). It has been quite popular to have a woman's ace partially covered. Whether it be with her own hand, a finger touching her lips, or somehting of the sort. [Both Dolce and Gabbana and Lancome have these ads: http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qtoyJqjtPUU/Sz-9izQMyEI/AAAAAAAAEgw/YbPBMHD6uVU/s400/05183_Scarlett_Johansson_in_D_G_The_One_Perfume_ad_122_439lo.jpg
Women are portrayed as docile, innocent, weak, nonvocal, and sexual. But isn't that what many cultures still promote today?
You asked if this is problematic in anyway, and I would say that it has become a problem. So many ads, whether in a magazine or on tv, are pushing the envelope. It is a form of art and throughout history art has often been a little radical. But when does the public draw the line? I don't personally have children, but I know if I saw my daughter, or son for that matter, idolizing these figures (that's all they truly are after "touch ups") I would have a problem with that. These are unachievable standards for girls to grow up to and boys to set to date.
This is an issue that has been discussed on many levels, including the pressure it places on women and the risk it gives them for developing eating disorders. Adolescent women in particular are going thru a period of development in which individuals become preoccupied with the way they are perceived by others, a concept called the social self. If you turn on the tv or pick up any teen magazine, you will likely see at least one ad for a luscious food being eaten by happy, satisfied people. And you’ll probably see many ads, articles or programs featuring thin, glamorous models in tight designer jeans or barely there bikinis. These images that appear every where from magazine covers, to tv ads send mixed messages to women, what's better eating luscious food or being as thin as a model. I think that the way the media portrays the "ideal" female can be very detrimental in the lives of many young women.
I agree with Courtney's response. This was the first thought that came to me when I read this blog option. Eating orders are a serious issue and I believe that women in the media contribute to the issue. Most women in the spot light are a size zero and this is what is made to be the norm for young girls and older women as well. More particularly for young girls. They see these famous women as role models and when size is made to be such a big deal, girls feed off of this. One example of this is the show "America's Top Model." This show has been on for over 10 seasons. These women on this show are so skinny and they thrive off of how skinny they are. I saw a certain episode where they had pizza for dinner, and there were only a few girls eating it, and the rest sat and watched. This is not something that young girls should be watching, yet this is the examples that can be seen on TV. However, I do not think that it is the famous women's fault that society is the way that it is. Women in the media feel the pressure from every angle to look a certain way, and I think that it would be hard to ignore these pressures. Society as a whole has put this issue into the lives of young women. It is hard to ignore and even more difficult to overcome such ideas that are imbedded in the minds of women across the nation.
Okay, so since I am one of the few men in the class I will give you my male opinion and try not to offend anyone. I apologize in advance if I do, and I would be willing to explain myself if so needed. Joining in on Melissa and Courtney’s opinion, I do also believe that it is wrong for the media to be showing these terribly skinny women. These women they show in most ads almost look unhealthy they are so skinny. Coming from a biological standpoint, it is good for both men and women to have body fat; it is an important aspect of the human body. Without it or with too little body fat many problems can occur. Now for my standpoint as a man, this image is not what a guy looks for. I know you do not fall in love with a person’s looks but it is what you are first drawn to. From my experience with my friends, brothers, and basic male population, few if any men are attracted to a very skinny girl, like the women in these ads. To be honest most men are attracted to a woman that has some “curves”. Most Men are attracted to the opposite sex, so therefore we are attracted to women that portray the opposite sex. That is my point of view and I hope I did not offend anyone.
Jay you make a really good point. But let's not forget about the men! Men are equally as subjected in the media as women. I'd venture to say the wash-board abs are just as intimidating and detrimental to the psyche as the skin-and-bones image put on women.
Like most people have mentioned before, women in media are pretty typically flawless-skinned and waif-like. Even many of the most famous "plus-sized" models are usually closer to average than heavyset (http://thesportspin.com/2008/05/15/fat-is-the-new-skinny/whitney-thompson/). The few pictures of celebrities that are displayed without makeup or airbrushing are typically displayed in a highly critical manner: "Cellulite Shocker!" (http://x17online.com/cellulitefinal.jpg) or "Celebrity Acne!" (http://www.celebacne.com/). No wonder many famous people suffer from self-image issues; they are held to an impossibly high standard, which is largely unattainable. In return, we are taught that imperfections are flaws which we should remove or disguise. Hence, Spanx, liposuction, Botox, and diet pills.
One problem I also have with the media's portrayal of women is how sexual many advertisements are. Perfume, cars, and even toilet paper ads objectify women (and men) to sell their products (http://inventorspot.com/articles/ads_prove_sex_sells_5576).
This is a goofy Family Guy video, but I thought it pretty well sums up the absurdity of sex in advertising: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KsBa-bSGlvU.
I was searching the internet women in the media and came across a video about objectifying women in music videos. Music is such a big part of our culture and it can really effect how we view the opposite sex. There are so many hip-hop and rap videos out there about being a pimp and using girls for sex like Jay-Z's Big Pimpin and T Pains Take Your Shirt Off. It doesn't help that there are female artist out there also objectifying women in music like Brittney Spears' I'm A Slave For You. In most of these videos the job of the women is to dress and dance provacatively. This music is widely popular and is very demeaning to all woman. I definitelt think it influences the way society views women and men.
I agree that the ads that are common in today's society exploit both men and women. However, I don't think it is likely that this is going to change as it has made advertising companies a lot of money for a long time. Rather than trying to change the the ad companies I would strive to change the mentality of young men and women. Instill them with self confidence and the knowledge that they are beautiful in and out. Perhaps if people are no longer willing to allow themselves to be exploited, the ad companies will have to think of some other ploy. Additionally, if consumers no longer find the advertisements enticing and do not think that the men and women in them are attractive they will not buy the product. If the product isn't selling the companies will be forced to change their ways and maybe the exploitation will be alleviated.
There is an article in the "Undergraduate Research Journal for the Human Sciences" titled "The Objectification and Dismemberment of Women in the Media." http://www.kon.org/urc/v5/greening.html
ReplyDeleteThis article suggests that our own culture socializes girl and women to internalize observer's perspectives on their own bodies. Often girls or women will live their lives in the third person. Through the media (glamorous stars and models) and advertisement, females learn to be more concerned with the way they externally look to others instead of focusing on internal body attributes such as feelings and emotions. This is called self-objectification. The consquences may contribute to eating disorders, several mental health risks, and sexual dysfunction.
This topic has been brought up many times throughout courses both in high school and on the college level. Most designer ads include girls(almost never middle aged women) set in seductive poses, a full face of make up, and almost always has a smoldering look (do women never smile anymore?). It has been quite popular to have a woman's ace partially covered. Whether it be with her own hand, a finger touching her lips, or somehting of the sort. [Both Dolce and Gabbana and Lancome have these ads: http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qtoyJqjtPUU/Sz-9izQMyEI/AAAAAAAAEgw/YbPBMHD6uVU/s400/05183_Scarlett_Johansson_in_D_G_The_One_Perfume_ad_122_439lo.jpg
ReplyDeletehttp://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cT7IGXK7ta8/TVZkJ9mCVwI/AAAAAAAADrI/yx-VqM6NdC8/s1600/Isabella+Rossellini+Lancome+Tresor+Perfume.jpg ]
Women are portrayed as docile, innocent, weak, nonvocal, and sexual. But isn't that what many cultures still promote today?
You asked if this is problematic in anyway, and I would say that it has become a problem. So many ads, whether in a magazine or on tv, are pushing the envelope. It is a form of art and throughout history art has often been a little radical. But when does the public draw the line? I don't personally have children, but I know if I saw my daughter, or son for that matter, idolizing these figures (that's all they truly are after "touch ups") I would have a problem with that. These are unachievable standards for girls to grow up to and boys to set to date.
This is an issue that has been discussed on many levels, including the pressure it places on women and the risk it gives them for developing eating disorders. Adolescent women in particular are going thru a period of development in which individuals become preoccupied with the way they are perceived by others, a concept called the social self. If you turn on the tv or pick up any teen magazine, you will likely see at least one ad for a luscious food being eaten by happy, satisfied people. And you’ll probably see many ads, articles or programs featuring thin, glamorous models in tight designer jeans or barely there bikinis. These images that appear every where from magazine covers, to tv ads send mixed messages to women, what's better eating luscious food or being as thin as a model. I think that the way the media portrays the "ideal" female can be very detrimental in the lives of many young women.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Courtney's response. This was the first thought that came to me when I read this blog option. Eating orders are a serious issue and I believe that women in the media contribute to the issue. Most women in the spot light are a size zero and this is what is made to be the norm for young girls and older women as well. More particularly for young girls. They see these famous women as role models and when size is made to be such a big deal, girls feed off of this. One example of this is the show "America's Top Model." This show has been on for over 10 seasons. These women on this show are so skinny and they thrive off of how skinny they are. I saw a certain episode where they had pizza for dinner, and there were only a few girls eating it, and the rest sat and watched. This is not something that young girls should be watching, yet this is the examples that can be seen on TV. However, I do not think that it is the famous women's fault that society is the way that it is. Women in the media feel the pressure from every angle to look a certain way, and I think that it would be hard to ignore these pressures. Society as a whole has put this issue into the lives of young women. It is hard to ignore and even more difficult to overcome such ideas that are imbedded in the minds of women across the nation.
ReplyDeleteOkay, so since I am one of the few men in the class I will give you my male opinion and try not to offend anyone. I apologize in advance if I do, and I would be willing to explain myself if so needed. Joining in on Melissa and Courtney’s opinion, I do also believe that it is wrong for the media to be showing these terribly skinny women. These women they show in most ads almost look unhealthy they are so skinny. Coming from a biological standpoint, it is good for both men and women to have body fat; it is an important aspect of the human body. Without it or with too little body fat many problems can occur. Now for my standpoint as a man, this image is not what a guy looks for. I know you do not fall in love with a person’s looks but it is what you are first drawn to. From my experience with my friends, brothers, and basic male population, few if any men are attracted to a very skinny girl, like the women in these ads. To be honest most men are attracted to a woman that has some “curves”. Most Men are attracted to the opposite sex, so therefore we are attracted to women that portray the opposite sex. That is my point of view and I hope I did not offend anyone.
ReplyDeleteJay you make a really good point. But let's not forget about the men! Men are equally as subjected in the media as women. I'd venture to say the wash-board abs are just as intimidating and detrimental to the psyche as the skin-and-bones image put on women.
ReplyDeleteLike most people have mentioned before, women in media are pretty typically flawless-skinned and waif-like. Even many of the most famous "plus-sized" models are usually closer to average than heavyset (http://thesportspin.com/2008/05/15/fat-is-the-new-skinny/whitney-thompson/). The few pictures of celebrities that are displayed without makeup or airbrushing are typically displayed in a highly critical manner: "Cellulite Shocker!" (http://x17online.com/cellulitefinal.jpg) or "Celebrity Acne!" (http://www.celebacne.com/). No wonder many famous people suffer from self-image issues; they are held to an impossibly high standard, which is largely unattainable. In return, we are taught that imperfections are flaws which we should remove or disguise. Hence, Spanx, liposuction, Botox, and diet pills.
ReplyDeleteOne problem I also have with the media's portrayal of women is how sexual many advertisements are. Perfume, cars, and even toilet paper ads objectify women (and men) to sell their products (http://inventorspot.com/articles/ads_prove_sex_sells_5576).
This is a goofy Family Guy video, but I thought it pretty well sums up the absurdity of sex in advertising: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KsBa-bSGlvU.
I was searching the internet women in the media and came across a video about objectifying women in music videos. Music is such a big part of our culture and it can really effect how we view the opposite sex. There are so many hip-hop and rap videos out there about being a pimp and using girls for sex like Jay-Z's Big Pimpin and T Pains Take Your Shirt Off. It doesn't help that there are female artist out there also objectifying women in music like Brittney Spears' I'm A Slave For You. In most of these videos the job of the women is to dress and dance provacatively. This music is widely popular and is very demeaning to all woman. I definitelt think it influences the way society views women and men.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the ads that are common in today's society exploit both men and women. However, I don't think it is likely that this is going to change as it has made advertising companies a lot of money for a long time. Rather than trying to change the the ad companies I would strive to change the mentality of young men and women. Instill them with self confidence and the knowledge that they are beautiful in and out. Perhaps if people are no longer willing to allow themselves to be exploited, the ad companies will have to think of some other ploy. Additionally, if consumers no longer find the advertisements enticing and do not think that the men and women in them are attractive they will not buy the product. If the product isn't selling the companies will be forced to change their ways and maybe the exploitation will be alleviated.
ReplyDelete