Feminism and the Media
Women have historically been exploited by patriarchal systems. They havebeen reduced to sex slaves and to confined housewifery, forced either intoprostitution or marriage. It is commonly believed that such exploitation isa thing of the past, and that modern women have moved beyond thelimitations of these two options. Certainly some progress has been made,for women are now a significant percentage of the working population, andincreasingly experience the freedom to do with their lives whatever theywish. However, to some very real degree such exploitation persists and isboth made visible and perpetuated by the modern mass media. Today women areexploited by many various forms of media, from film and television to printand advertising; they are consistently confined to traditional roles orused purely as sexualized objects. Because of this exploitation, womenbecome further entrapped by old stereotypes (such as those suggesting thata woman's place is in the kitchen), may feel pressured by the unreasonablestandards which media upholds for the maintenance of home and body, and maybe discouraged from generally male-oriented careers or risk-taking. Suchmedia stereotypes are harmful to women and to society a
' " (James, 2) The other big seller for Oxygen is that itpromotes reality shows and movies all about "proactive romance. This study foundthat despite the fact that the majority of Americans are overweight, "5% offemale TV characters were rated as 'heavy,' whereas 69% of femalecharacters were rated as 'thin. A similar phenomena is seen with the ageratios. A perfect example of the unfair and stereotypical portrayal of womenin media comes from studies on the comparison between the body types andages of women featured on television shows and those who exist in theactual American demographic. Infact, she wears it almost as a badge and uses it as a weapon," writesfeminist critic Buttrose, who claims this is very different from Monroe who"became the ultimate victim of gender stereotyping. Lifetime ofcourse is filled with specials about makeovers (emphasizing the idealfemale) and home-care shows about gardening, and home design. Thiscreates (or at least reinforces) a powerful image of women as theseconfined creatures whose whole life is caught up in consumerist chores. '" (Foots, 1) Even among young people, 26%should have above-average weight. In some ways this is even moredangerous. Among the central female characters portrayed in popular shows,"69% were between the ages of 20-35; 21% were between the ages of 36-50;10% were teenagers; none were over 50. The Tomb Raider movies actually seem tosuggest to young girls that if one is sexual enough then one will bestronger, braver, and more capable. Additionally, thisisolation and devaluing encourages women to try to fit into stereotypically"ideal" body shapes, which is in the end generally a self-destructive urge.
Common topics in this essay:
Olczyk Twardowska,
Census Bureau,
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Tomb Raider,
Oxygen Lifetime,
Love Fashion,
Twardowska Advertisements,
ER Law,
Marilyn Monroe,
Monroe Jolie,
women media,
olczyk twardowska,
er law,
2 women,
female characters,
traditional roles,
women portrayed,
female population,
women usually,
characters rated,
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Acceptance Essays
