It today's age, reality TV is the new standard. Almost every TV channel has at least one reality show that they air regularly. Among the "royalty of reality" is none other than the Kardashian Family. And why not? These girls are beautiful, occasionally funny, and have an edge that keeps you hooked to your screen. But one thing I've noticed, is that the three sisters try to be role models for body image issues in our country. They all claim that they accept the bodies god gave them , no matter how many curves they may have, but then we see them on commercials endorsing diet pills ...... can you say " Contradiction" ?
Almost every girl in America(and probably worldwide) IDOLIZE these women, rushing home to catch the latest episode of whatever new show they have out. When they released a clothing line, it flew off the shelves. So I do approve that sometimes they can speak out about weight issues and that every girl should be comfortable with their body, I'm sure MANY females have been inspired by them and experience a confidence boost. But when we see them flaunting rock hard abs in a bikini on a "Quick-Trim" diet pill commercial, it has the same effect. Girls see Kim doing it , so they will too. Now, I am not bashing pharmaceuticals, or any diet methods at all, what I am bashing is how contradicting these visual statements can be. I think sometimes the celebrities in the public eye really don't consider how much they can influence our community, especially our youth. So I ask them to please, pick a side.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Women Athletes
Although Title IX was passed in 1972 prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sex and gender in any educational program or activity that receives federal funding, the discrimination still exists. I think a big part in this discrimination is the women athletes that are portrayed in the media are a big reason why discrimination of women athletes still exists. Yeah, these women are empowered and think that they are being role models for younger girls who wish to have a career in sports, but often they are gender stereotyping. In the media, they will present themselves as celebrities, take photoshoots excentuating their bodies not their skills. We see these women dating high profiled celebrities, and getting plastic surgeries done every day. I'm not against plastic surgery, to each their own, but we have to think about how seriously the audience will take them.
Why do women athletes act this way?
-They feel the need to appear beautiful, because that is what is feminine.
-They need need male approval.
-They need to beat the males to win.
-Society wants women to appear soft, small, and gentle.
-This is where the MONEY comes from.
(to the left: Serena Williams in a photoshoot) None of her tennis skills are showed.
Why do women athletes act this way?
-They feel the need to appear beautiful, because that is what is feminine.
-They need need male approval.
-They need to beat the males to win.
-Society wants women to appear soft, small, and gentle.
-This is where the MONEY comes from.
(to the left: Serena Williams in a photoshoot) None of her tennis skills are showed.
The Pressure of Society
I've noticed that the pressure of society can literally take a person (celebrity) and completely morph them into what they "should look like." Naomi Wolf is a famous author who gave this a name: "The Beauty Myth." The beauty consists of 5 parts:
- Skinny is Beautiful
- Aging is not Beautiful
- Beauty is Godliness
- Beauty is Natural and the Result of Evolution
- Beauty is Objective and Universal
This theory may be hard to grasp because sometimes we subconsciously let the media effect our every day lives. We give into the pressures and buy the products to makes us "beautiful." I often find myself succumbing to these pressures and expectations. Two major examples of seeing the beauty myth put into effect are reality stars Susan Boyle and Kate Gosselin. We over look their good qualities such as their voice, or the fact that they are a good mother because of the way they look. Since being on TV as you can see their appearance drastically has changed.
Women and Advertising from Hienz on Vimeo.
Above is a powerful video that my professor in one of my classes shared with me. It is by Jean Kilborne who is recognized for her work in woman's media. This video in particular deals with who negatively women are portrayed, gender representation and touching upon self esteem. The media has the capability to change people's attitudes. It is very educational and speaks to an variety of people. After showing to children in classrooms, it gives them an opportunity to express themselves openly. It is filled with statistics that really make you think.
Activism
This blog is about activism, and I would like to encourage others to take action! This holiday season I took action and I would like to reflect and share with the my audience what I did. I took part in a project for one of my classes with 3 other girls. Together we collected from students at my University approximately 100 dollars. With that money we raised we bought supplies such as hats, gloves, shampoo, conditioner, hair accessories, cleaning products, hair brushes, Advil and other items to donate to a woman's shelter. We chose to donate to the Providence Rescue Mission, where they give women a clean place to stay, a shower, a meal, and an opportunity to listen to a sermon. This was important to us because we are so much more fortunate then the women who literally live right down the street from us. While researching this project we learned of statistics that shocked us and hit close to home:
-Globally: 80% of humanity lives on less than 10 dollars a day.
-Nationally: 29% of women are in jobs that pay too little to support a family.
-Locally: in 2007 a reported a 12% of people in RI live in poverty equaling 122,128.
To be able to give back to the women in our community who have found themselves either just alone, or facing struggles such as drug addiction left me and my friends humbled. Below is a few pictures of the shelter, and the things we collected.
Gender and Healthcare Reform
On a more serious note, in the United States, health care is the largest industry, employing over 14 million people. This topic is very controversial because it involves so many people nationwide. Statistics show that 77 percent of Americans say they think health care should be a right, and I have to agree with this. But, the U.S. Census Bureau claims that a whopping 46.3 million people were uninsured in 2008, this number has been on the rise, with a reported 50 million. These numbers are simply too high, and with lack of care comes more bankruptcies. Some may ask why I care? I care because through this controversy comes gender issues.
Only 39 percent of women have health insurance through their employers, because they are more likely insured through their husband's employer. But still, only a small amount of 51 percent of men can actually collect through their employer. Most of these are white persons too, never mind another underlying cause of the lack of insurance from minorities.
If a marriage falls through, many woman are left with nothing and starting from scratch. The system makes it tough to even have your own plan. Women need to further investigate what they can do, as well as demand their rights.
Only 39 percent of women have health insurance through their employers, because they are more likely insured through their husband's employer. But still, only a small amount of 51 percent of men can actually collect through their employer. Most of these are white persons too, never mind another underlying cause of the lack of insurance from minorities.
If a marriage falls through, many woman are left with nothing and starting from scratch. The system makes it tough to even have your own plan. Women need to further investigate what they can do, as well as demand their rights.
Monday, October 3, 2011
Songs
Earlier this morning I attended my Women's Studies class. It was constructed very differently then most classes, but it was actually pretty fun. We learned about bianaries, which was a new word to me. They are defined as a way of structuring the world in term, ideas, identities, or structures as 2 factors defined in opposition to eachother. In a simpler way, males are shown in one light and females in another. I found it so interesting how my professor tied the media into this lesson. She played 3 different songs that we all know and probaly love. But next, broke them down and we focused on how women are REALLY being portrayed by males, and themselfs. By just reading the lyrics from each song you can see the heirarchy created which is extremely negative towards woman.
1. Big Pimpin' by Jay-Z "you know I thug em, fuck em, love em, leave em, cause I don't fuckin need em"
2. Slave 4 U by Britney Spears "I'm a slave for you, I won't deny it, I'm not tryna hide it"
3. My humps by Fergie "I'm gonna get you drunk, get you love drunk off my hump"
We all have heard these songs, I myself am guilty of liking the beat. I never picked these songs apart but if I had sooner I would have seen and realized how women are subconciously degraded. I do feel that for many years it was NOT okay for women to act in this manner, so now the towel has been thrown in and
their are no rules. Women now refer to themselfs as "cunts" in their lyrics because it would NEVER be acceptable years ago. It's a rebellion. It's chaos. These artists have audiences of all ages, and to the younger male listening he hears Jay-Z's song and probaly thinks to himself, more women = Pimpin. All of a sudden because Jay-Z lost sight of the real definition of a pimp (agent for prostitutes that collects some of their money) his audience did too.
2. Slave 4 U by Britney Spears "I'm a slave for you, I won't deny it, I'm not tryna hide it"
3. My humps by Fergie "I'm gonna get you drunk, get you love drunk off my hump"
We all have heard these songs, I myself am guilty of liking the beat. I never picked these songs apart but if I had sooner I would have seen and realized how women are subconciously degraded. I do feel that for many years it was NOT okay for women to act in this manner, so now the towel has been thrown in and
their are no rules. Women now refer to themselfs as "cunts" in their lyrics because it would NEVER be acceptable years ago. It's a rebellion. It's chaos. These artists have audiences of all ages, and to the younger male listening he hears Jay-Z's song and probaly thinks to himself, more women = Pimpin. All of a sudden because Jay-Z lost sight of the real definition of a pimp (agent for prostitutes that collects some of their money) his audience did too.
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