Portrayal of Women in the Media Essay - 1291 Words

The facts are haunting. The American research group Anorexia Nervosa Related Eating Disorders, Inc. says that one in every four college-aged women use unhealthy methods of weight and diet control – including fasting, skipping meals, and laxative abuse. The pressure to be thin is also affecting young girls; the Canadian Women’s Health Network warns that weight control measures are now being taken by girls as young as 5 and 6. In 2003, Teen Magazine reported that 35% of girls 6 to 12 years of age have already been on at least one diet. It is estimated that up to 450,000 young girls and women were/are affected by an eating disorder; Women’s magazines have over 10 times more ads promoting dieting and weight loss than men’s magazines. Women’s†¦show more content†¦The girls of our society are learning to grow up and look up to role models that may not be perfect, including Lindsay Lohan, Nicole Richie and Britney Spears. Why not encourage them t o look up to people who have truly contributed in positive ways to our society, like Oprah Winfrey or Ellen DeGeneres? Body image involves our perception, imagination, emotions, and physical sensations of and about our bodies. It is not static, but ever changing, sensitive to changes in mood, environment, and physical experience. It is not based on facts; it is psychological in nature, and much more influenced by self-esteem than by actual physical attractiveness as judged by others; it is not inborn, but learned. This learning occurs in the family and among peers, but these facts only reinforce what is learned and expected culturally. In this culture, women are starving themselves, starving children and loved ones, gorging themselves, gorging children and loved ones, alternating between starving and gorging, purging, obsessing, and all the while hating, pounding and wanting to remove that which makes us female: our bodies, our curves, our pear-shaped selves. Twenty years ago, the a verage model weighed 8% less than the average woman – today, models weigh 23% less. It is crazy that in magazines, meant for the latest trends or advice about boys, also pack in info on dieting and how to stay thin. This message tells teens that theyShow MoreRelatedMedia s Portrayal Of Women1190 Words   |  5 Pageswith appearance and numb to sexism, it comes as no surprise that women are expressing hate for their bodies more than ever before. Mass media’s portrayal of women is one of unattainable perfection— most models are stick thin with flawless complexions and pearl-white smiles. Consumers are bombarded with images of women being displayed as sex objects, valued for their physical appearance above all else. The evasiveness of media has led women to believe they must resemble the models pictured in advertisementsRead MoreMedia s Portrayal Of Women1155 Words   |  5 PagesThe media is everywhere; phones, televisions, magazines, so it is hard not to be exp osed to some type of media platform throughout the day. Among these forms of media are photos and videos of woman idealized as the perfect woman. Magazines release photos of women whose looks are highly unachievable and thought as as the ideal woman. An average woman exposed to these photos may feel depresssed and may want to look like the model through unsafe dieting and other eating disorders. The media has affectedRead MoreMedia s Portrayal Of Women1588 Words   |  7 Pages Media represents males and females by gendering them in different categories. According to a presentation, the author states, â€Å"Media perceives women in a very sexual manner whereas men are symbolized as powerful (Khan). Over and over again, the one thing that the media reveals is that women are very sexual beings. They show that they are only good for taking care of the home and the man is very powerful. For example, the author on the presentation shows a ad that a man is in a life guard outfitRead MoreEssay o n Portrayal of Women in the Media3123 Words   |  13 Pages Portrayal of Women in the Media Gender is the psychological characteristics and social categories that are created by human culture. Doing gender is the concept that humans express their gender when they interact with one another. Messages about how a male or female is supposed to act come from many different places. Schools, parents, and friends can influence a person. Another major factor that influences millions of impressionable females and males is television. Not only does the televisionRead MoreMedia s Portrayal Of Women2007 Words   |  9 PagesIn addition to the unbelievably high beauty standards women are expected to achieve as a result of the media’s portrayal of women, they are also expected to create and maintain a perfect household. Interior design is often perceived by contemporary society as a feminine interest. As a result, a majority of publications dedicated to home decoration are targeted towards women. Whether or not it is directly stated, a magazine’s attempt to target a pa rticular sex can be identified through both the subjectRead MoreMedia Portrayal of Women and Its Effects1187 Words   |  5 Pageshas changed drastically, which can be directly attributed to the powerful persuasion of media. This ideal image has transformed from a voluptuous, size 14, 1950’s Marilyn Monroe to a 5’9, 100 pound, 1990’s Kate Moss. The most shocking aspect is specifically what young girls are now doing to achieve this â€Å"Kate Moss† image. Through the utilization of advertisements and stars on the big screen, this female portrayal directly targets the physical and mental well-being of females in cultures across theRead MorePortrayal of Women in the Media Essay3165 Words   |  13 PagesPortrayal of Women in the Media Gender is the psychological characteristics and social categories that are created by human culture. Doing gender is the concept that humans express their gender when they interact with one another. Messages about how a male or female is supposed to act come from many different places. Schools, parents, and friends can influence a person. Another major factor that influences millions of impressionable females and males is television. Not only does the televisionRead MoreEssay on Portrayal of Black Women in Media1635 Words   |  7 PagesThe Portrayal of African-American Women in Media The stereotypical misrepresentations of African-American women and men in popular culture have influenced societal views of Blacks for centuries. The typical stereotypes about Black women range from the smiling, a sexual and often obese Mammy to the promiscuous Jezebel who lures men with her sexual charms. However, the loud, smart mouthed, neck-rolling Black welfare mother is the popular image on reality television. These images portrayed in mediaRead MoreFalse Portrayal Of Women s Media1683 Words   |  7 PagesFalse Portrayal of Women in Media â€Å"We as women are trained to see ourselves as cheap imitations of fashion photographs, rather than seeing fashion photographs as cheap imitations of women†-Naomi Wolfe. In most advertisements as well as some movies and tv shows, women are shown in not very much clothing, while also being photoshopped and airbrushed. Young women and girls are constantly being sexualized in the media, in order to make more money, and sell more of whatever is being advertised. ManyRead More The Portrayal of Women in the Media Essay examples3424 Words   |  14 PagesThe Portrayal of Women in the Media Redbook magazine are devoted to selling products ranging from shoes to shampoo. The entire magazine only has only 210 pages. Approximately 6-8 min of every half hour television show is produced by ad agencies. Americans are bombarded with advertisements. We see them everyday in many different forms and through different mediums. Advertisers study America’s population through a systematic breakdown and analysis of our likes and dislikes in relation to our differences