Reviving Ophelia - Mary Pipher
In the videorecording, Reviving Ophelia: Saving the Selves of Adolescent Girls, Mary Pipher outlines challenges that today's adolescent girls face. In particular, she emphasizes the way media manipulates popular culture and the negative backlash this has on shaping the identity of teens. To oppose these ideas, Pipher outlines a set of alternative or "real" values that recognize a girl's worth based on her strength of character, mind and body, instead of her physical appearance. The video depicts how changes in attitudes can counter harmful, modern prevailing cultural influences.The iconic woman currently portrayed in modern media tends to be a hyper-sexualized, anorexic waif. While models have gotten thinner, the average weight of real woman has actually increased. This disparity has caused young woman to do unnatural things to be thin. Hence increased incidence of anorexia, and bulimia among teens is common. In fact, studies have linked high media consumed, with increased rates of eating disorders in women. In turn, this has the effect of deteriorating women's sense of self worth.Furthermore, media images disempower women by presenting exposed parts of women's bodies in advertisements
Pipher makes the argument that an individual's personhood is carried in their face. Teenagers also require good habits to cope with stress and perhaps need to learn self-defence techniques, in modern times such as these. Perhaps they may choose to spend time and defend the rights of babies, or the elderly. Developing a sense of community can go a long way in the healthy development of teens. In a "girl-hurting" society, that attempts to force false values onto them, these family ties are critical. Pipher lists some of the qualities that adolescents require for healthy development. All of these suggestions represent more worthy activities to focus on. Also, they are engaged in enjoyable activities that embrace their needs and their personhood. The media is increasingly blurring the boundaries between advertising and the softcore porn industry. Adolescents require the support of a web of caring adults, from their parents to other members in their community. Sports are particularly valuable because they allow females to experience their body as a function. Instead of being oppressed by the singular images of perfection as presented by the television and media. They need the support of their parents, and friends, and to receive training in useful skills.
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