Media Portrayal of Women

The images of women seen in the media are often provocative, and give women the idea of what is or isn’t attractive. Men love these images, while women feel intimidated and inadequate in comparison. No matter what age, there is pressure to represent the medias depiction of how women should look and behave.

On November 18, the F-word event fair was held at Laurier Brantford’s Research and Academic Centre. The F-word fair brought together students in order to bring awareness to feminism. Organized by a number of Laurier Brantford’s faculty members, the event addressed gender issues pertaining to many different aspects of life. From same sex marriage to aboriginal services, the fair offered a wide variety of information. However, a major issue didn’t seem to be touched upon, the portrayal of women through media. A promising number of students showed interest in the event. However, females outnumbered the males. On the wall a board was hung, encouraging feedback regarding feminism. It posed the question, “What does feminism mean to you?” Some responses included questioning authority, equality for all, double standards and challenging the impossible.

The 1968 Miss. America protest brought together 150 feminists from six cities. These women believed that beauty pageants were hurtful toward women, and it wasn’t fair to have women put on stages to be judged upon their physical appearance. It made women feel substandard due to the fact that their beauty could not measure up to those in the Miss America pageant. Women’s liberation tackled the oppression of women and commercialization of beauty, which the pageant strongly represented.

They lined the Atlanta City convention center boardwalks to protest. Women’s liberation crowned a sheep Miss. America, while throwing bras, tweezers and high-heeled shoes into the garbage to represent the fight against female oppression. Not to mention the infamous myth of bra burning. At one point a group of women bought tickets to the pageant and revealed a banner of protest during the competition. From their radical protests women’s liberation made front pages everywhere, showing that there was a new feminist movement rising.

About 40 years later we still are faced with the same issues. Women are constantly being objectified, stereotyped and portrayed in an unrealistic light through the media. Although women do have more opportunity than they did in the past, sex stereotyping is still present in dominant culture. Whether it is through movies, television, magazines or advertisements, the world’s vision of beauty has a skewed image and supports the oppression of women. Women interpret the media messages as a guideline of how they should behave. People see this portrayal of women and develop unrealistic ideals of what all women should be like.

Sarah Paulitzki, a personal counsellor on campus at Laurier Brantford says that feminism has affected counseling since the 1960s. Paulitzki sat by a table at the fair, which had brochures of information ranging from self-confidence to body size diversity and acceptance.

Even in Disney films, the female characters are all thin, beautiful, and comply with sex stereotypes. Paulitzki says “Disney films have female characters that are sex stereotypes and are put in a place that they are pressured into.” She also explains that women are put into positions they cannot get out of themselves. “They always have a man to save them. Children are exposed to these values at a young age.”

The magic of an airbrush leads us to believe that beauty is perfection. But this perfection isn’t reality. The media leads women to believe that they are not capable of being intelligent or successful. “I find the media bases a lot on esthetics, long legs, shiny hair and beautiful skin.” Says Wanda Nelson, Dove Spa office manager, when asked about women’s portrayal through the media. “They spend too much time on the outer beauty as opposed to women who really can make a difference.”

Dove Spa promotes inner beauty and confidence. By using real women in their advertising, they are stepping out of the box and addressing the issue of females being portrayed insufficiently through the media. In order to improve the portrayal of women as realistic, more ads and representations like the Dove commercials should be implemented.

Kate Moss, a fashion icon and role model said in an interview with a fashion news website WWD, “Nothing tastes better than skinny feels.” What kind of message is this sending to young girls? When there are beautiful long-legged women residing on the covers of magazines, young girls without the same attributes feel the need to try and model themselves as closely as possible to these women. “That’s why eating disorders are on the rise. It makes young girls feel inadequate. True beauty really does start from the inside,” says Nelson.

Women being sex objects is an extremely false image that the media leads men to believe. Although they know the image is false, it doesn’t stop them from enjoying it. “Men realize it’s false, but they still love it. This is due to the fact that the media dictates to us what is reality.” Says Drew Wong, a 20-year-old male regarding the issue. “Unfortunately, men have been brainwashed to believe the stereotypes.”

Women in movies or television are not only portrayed as flawlessly beautiful (with minor exceptions), but also revolved around finding a mate. This shows young girls that they must be with a man to be happy, and that they cannot be strong or independent on their own. “These days, women are led to believe that finding fulfillment in themselves begins with a relationship.” States Paulitzki. This ideal shows that young girls should disregard their female companions, to seek out men to support them.

“By using women of all different shapes, sizes and ethnicity in the media will strongly encourage women that they are beautiful.” Says Nelson. Although the issues of feminism are far from being resolved, it is comforting to have hope in awareness groups and organizations that strive to address these serious issues. The more people know, the more they will understand, and the more change will come in order to create equality. 

Chamberlin Disappoints at Grand River Book Forum

BRANTFORD, ON—October 19, marked the first annual Laurier Brantford Grand River Book Forum.  Organized by a number of faculty members, the Grand River Forum is meant to be a community builder, bringing students and faculty together outside of the classroom in a creative, cultural and intellectual way. But how much did it really bring them together?

Students, faculty and community members filed into the Sanderson Center to listen to a lecture given by J. Edward Chamberlin, author of “If This is Your Land, Where Are Your Stories? Finding Common Ground.” Laurier Brantford student, Taylor Rutherford says, “Besides being in the same room, I wouldn't necessarily say that the first day of the forum brought students and faculty together.”

Chamberlin’s book, “If This is Your Land, Where Are Your Stories? Finding Common Ground” was the main focus of the lecture. The book is said, “to take you on a journey through the tales of different people from North America to Africa to Jamaica.” Many were familiar with the book, many were not. This left some with unanswered questions and puzzled expressions. “Chamberlin just read excerpts from his book and expected that everyone who was coming had read his book. He probably expected everyone to understand, which they didn’t,” stated Rutherford.

            Audience member, Danielle Hyde, who is familiar with Chamberlin’s work, went to the forum in hopes to find answers to some of her questions. “If I had not read his book I don’t think I would have followed as well. Some of his chapters I found to be incredibly unclear, even after listening to his speech,” Hyde stated.

            Chamberlin, who worked on native land claims for over 30 years, is familiar with aboriginal culture and stories. Believing that they should be of inspiration to us, he says, “We need to understand our stories, because our lives depend on it.” Rutherford disagrees, “I do not think that our lives depend on stories. I think that stories are important to understand culture, but I do not think that I will die if I do not understand what a particular story means.”

            Due to these negative outlooks, was Chamberlin's book the best choice for the first annual Grand River Book Forum? “It was a good book, but I think for the first annual forum they could have chosen a more interesting book, or a book with more depth and relevance to everyday life,” believes Hyde.

Another lingering question remains—whether or not there should be a second annual forum. Rutherford feels, “That the forum is an interesting idea. It is a good idea if both the students and faculty had read the book. Otherwise, the forum doesn't really bring students and faculty together.” Hopefully the forum comes back with a stronger and more appealing approach to captivate faculty, students and community members, bringing them together more effectively.  

            

The Fight for Brantford's Future

BRANTFORD, Ont.—Seven of nine mayoral candidates were present on September 18, for a debate held at Laurier Brantford’s research and academic building. Diane Austin, James Calnan, Richard Casey, Chris Friel, Mark Littell, Mike Quattrociocchi, and John C. Turmel were in attendance and fought for the future of Brantford.

The all-candidates debate was hosted by Laurier Brantford’s Journalism program and the Sputnik. Taylor Rutherford, Laurier Brantford student says. “The candidates did an excellent job incorporating student needs into their campaigns.” They addressed the issues relating to the improvement of student life with confidence and vigor.

They all had a unique outlook on how these problems of safety, the downtown core and lack of entertainment be fixed. Calnan stated, “This issue is not identifying the needs; the issue is…what are you going to do about them? How are you going to make a difference?”

Many students are concerned with their safety on campus, and the candidates recognize that. Austin says, “It is absolutely imperative that students feel safe in the downtown core.”  She also believes that with more businesses starting up and entertainment introduced, that it would make the environment safer. Calnan declared, “Safety is the one thing we promised your parents…and we will deliver.” He plans to get funds to move the police downtown to get, “More boots on the ground.”

Casey fully supports the growth of the schools in the community. While encouraging the growth of Laurier, Nippissing and Mohawk, he says, “As mayor I will work to ensure the downtown reflects your needs as students and the needs of everyone in our community.” Quattrociocchi is on the same level, he stated, “I believe that assisting post secondary institutions to grow means more students an more businesses in the core.”

Friel is looking out for the future, he says, “We need to look to start creating jobs in our community for students that goes beyond just your four years or more of University.” He explains to do this is through moving into the regulatory sciences and fine arts industries. Calnan agrees that the development of arts and culture in our community is crucial and will provide different kinds of diversities and entertainment choices.

While most candidates see the city as a place that needs major improvement, Littell has nothing but good words about it.  Thinking that the city is great the way it is, he says, “Laurier believes in Brantford—so I believe in Brantford. I think we have a great city here.” With Littell’s over confidence in Brantford, it indicates he wouldn’t change the city much. Turmel has the same attitude. The only resolution he offered was “Bus Bucks”, a form of community currency to get students to work for bus passes.

Rutherford believes that Friel deserves the title of mayor, “He seems to really care about Brantford. He has great ideas and experience.”

It is a crucial decision to make, but be sure to vote for the candidate you believe deserves to be mayor on October 25th.  They have the power to change Brantford’s future.  

Student Activism: Making or breaking school communities?

On Thursday September 4, 2009 the campus of University of California’s Berkeley was congested with students and faculty. As they held their banners high, speeches were made, each speaker projecting their own opinion with rage yet passion. At that time, the recent news of the wage cuts and increased student fees due to the privatization of the school did not sit well with those at UC Berkeley.  

               A walkout is defined by Oxford dictionary as, “a sudden angry departure, especially as a protest or strike.” The students and faculty participated in a walkout. This extreme occurrence of student activism was used as a tactic to positive change to their university environment. However, was a walkout the most constructive way to make their statement?

 Laurier Brantford student, Tanya Oskam disagrees with how the students and faculty at UC Berkeley chose to handle the situation.  Believing it was a poor choice of communication, she says, “I think it was a negative way to make a statement, they should have approached the university in a completely different way with better communication with what their fight against.”

Student activism is present in every school community for various reasons, although not all cases are handled in such an aggressive manner. For the most part, student activism has proven to be a somewhat useful way in trying to achieve social change. From a student’s perspective, Tanya says, “I think student activism is okay, as long as it’s handled right. In general I think it can be effective as long there are enough supporters backing you up.” Since the incident at UC Berkeley was handled in a poor and immature manner, this resulted in many students getting arrested.

The root of the problem seems to be due to UC Berkeley beginning to function under a privatized environment. Since the school was run by a completely private education system, whoever running it is permitted to do whatever they wish. In this situation the changes reflected inequitable treatment and racism.  “I think that privatization is good…for the person who is running it. It isn’t necessarily good for everyone. Our country should be fairer and community orientated. Privatization promotes self-wealth and a selfish way to run things.” says Tanya.

            A lingering question is on everyone’s mind; did UC Berkeley deserve this kind of lashing out? The school responded in an almost graceful manner, not pointing any fingers and trying to resolve the issue in a less dramatic manner. Tanya agrees, “With such a big walkout you kind of have to take a step back and look at the situation and then deal with it then.”

            Student activism can either make or break an educational community. It will continuously be an element of every school, whether people like it or not. Students undeniably have a right to stand up for what they believe in, and try to make constructive changes of what has been implemented.  If students want change, they will do everything within their power to achieve that change.