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.