Women and the media is a subject I find very engaging towards the subject of media studies. I plan on posting many blogs regarding women and the media with new and old examples and thoughts.
Women in the media are a popular and growingly accepted method of advertisement, motivation, information causes and entertainment in today’s society. Women are displayed as objects for such methods. The main aspect that stands out among these methods is that the women are typically seen as beautiful. The idea of the “perfect women” is continually displayed to our generation through all forms of media, TV, internet, communication and radio. Typically the women are thin, makeup filled, big hair, flat stomachs, big cleavage, fashionable and seen an object. This can also be seen as a sexual approach to catch the eyes of viewers and users of the media. However, is this what these women really look like in real life? So the viewers think. I feel that the image of the “perfect women” is distorted and then portrayed through media in a deceiving manor to all its viewers. This then sets false guide lines for growing girls, boys and men of what the “perfect women” should look like. Personality, values, morals, love and intelligence seem to be forgotten. Sex appeal, hair and body image becomes this generation’s main focus. Women are a huge topic for media based studies and many research and studies have been done using this topic. Women an advertisement is a growing concept that many people can agree or disagree on. I believe that this concept of the "perfect women" works very well in todays society, however it is brainwashing our generation and generations to come....?
I’m sure many of you have seen this TV commercial for sketchers shape ups http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQWG__N9so0 Watch the video, and think to yourself or respond to my blog. -Does this video make you think buying this shoe will make you look “perfect” like Kim and have a hot man all over you like America’s popular sex icon Kim Kardashian? -Are you more suceptable to buy this product becuase of who is advertisting it?
I agree with your description and ideas of women in the media. I truly believe that shows like Dance Your A.. Off and The Biggest Loser not only exist because people want to lose weight but, also because of the image that the media portrays. Women feel they have to live up to the Victoria Secret commercials. However I feel the issue is very similar for men. They often find themselves trying to live up to the men in the hanes commercials. This is what makes me appreciate commercials like the fruit of the loom mens underwear commercial and the womens bra commercial. They show real everyday people. There are people in this world who are beautiful inside and out and they should not have to measure up to what they see on television to feel attractive.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you as well. It is hard for me to look at women in the media and not want to be like them. I think that this is the same for everyone, whether it's intentional or not I think we all wish to be like someone other than ourselves. Someone in one of my classes brought up Marilyn Munroe and they were saying that she used to be looked at as the "perfect size". She was around a size 8, today she is considered obese. This is a serious problem because there are hundreds of thousands of beautiful women out there and everyone is unique and beautiful in their own way. Nobody needs to wish that they are someone that they are not just because of the media's portrayal of women.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the media sets a very high standard of what woman should look like. Amanda, i also read an article about Marilyn Monroe, and i believe the article stated she was a size 10. In today’s society a size 10 would not make a woman desirable, however, Marilyn Monroe was known as the most beautiful woman in the world. It is shocking how much the public opinion of what makes a woman beautiful has changed. However, i do feel that we are seeing positive changes. There are many commercials that now show woman of all shapes and sizes, and that is definitely a more positive message.
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