Analysis Of The Article ' The Real Beauty ' Backlash '

Throughout history women have been depicted and treated as an inferior to the male all aspects of life. It is without debate, that to this day, like many other countries, the United States of America is a patriarchal society, valuing men over women and using various tactics to oppress women by constructing gender roles. These gender roles are thrust upon people before birth and are reinforced through society within the media. This object here is to provide an overview of the portrayal of women in magazines from the late 1800’s to present day. As the years progress, so do the number of women’s rights. While women are still fighting for equality, the birth of feminism has done much to close the gender gap. Mass media, magazines in particular, facilitated in fostering a stereotype which became the standard, and continues to be, used by society. A society that continues to oppress and suppress its women. However, as the mass media has the capability to demystify, or to bring down and/or destroy a particular group or person, they also have the ability of mystification, or emulating a person or group into society’s graces. I plan to review how women were portrayed since this country’s inception with an analysis of how gender equality might be possible today.

The paramount of social adversities facing the modern society is the divide between definitions of gender. Gender represents an abstract interpretation of sex and this notion is simply a societal construct. The establishment of gender has evolved into a tradition of humanity, however this tradition evolved into a social divide between masculinity and femininity. The pressure to conform to societal constructs of masculinity and femininity poisons society and branches off to toxic masculinity; such were nurtured from these figurative beliefs. Gender roles further stigmatize the victims who refuse to conform. However, gender roles has witnessed a revolution in modern times. The purpose of this collateral involves analyzing the evolution of gender roles present in media from mid 19th century to modern times. The period of time, or 1960’s, was chosen because of post World War II’s effects on stereotypes in society around the world. Post war not only challenged stereotypes but further kindled women’s role in the workforce and women began to fill in roles previously belonging to men. In later years, a radicalization of the feminist movement has spurred and our modern times is a witness to its ascension to the paramount of feminism. The media, since the 1960’s, has allowed society to be the primary witness. With the evolution of gender roles, the media must also adapt to the changes in societal views of gender roles and the entire feminist movement at large. This collateral seeks to

Take a look around and think about how far our society has really come along. Yes, we finally have a woman running for president, an African-American president, same-sex marriage laws, feminism and minority movements, but we still don’t have thing like equal-pay, or proper representation. Similarly to how a magician manipulates his/her audience’s perspectives by directing their attention to a particular part of the stage to see “where the magic happens” while the actual “action” happens elsewhere; Lisa Shaffer argues that pop culture has put on a performance of progression yet works behind the scenes to reinforce traditional social values. In the articles “Men’s Men and Women’s Women” and “Dove’s ‘Real Beauty’ Backlash,” the authors agree with Lisa Shaffer’s idea of the media’s regressive intentions, and support their claim by providing analysis of varies commercials that underline traditional social values.

Mass media has influenced gender norms in the United States since the 1950’s when television became a household phenomenon. Per Jacqueline Coombs in an article titled Gender Differences in the Influence of Television on Gender Ideology, she asserts, “television is a powerful source in disseminating information and shaping opinion, exposing people from many different social settings to the same messages” (207). These messages can influence gender norms and reinforce personal gender identity. Throughout the evolution of television, gender roles have expanded portraying women as leading character. However, there is still an undercurrent of patriarchal ideology.

“The power of the media lies not only in their ability to reflect the dominant racial ideology, but in their capacity to shape that ideology in the first place” (Omi, Winant). The media holds power in the way it shapes society. The media influences the way society views race, class, and gender to make it favor a particular group, or class. Race, class and gender are portrayed through various outlets of media including music, television and magazines. In the popular women’s fashion magazine, Instyle, these three elements are shown. Yet, Instyle magazine does not openly represent all races, classes, and genders. There are certain races, classes, and genders that are focused on more heavily than others, leading this magazine to have a narrow-minded

I argue that the introduction of feminism into mainstream pop culture has been deliberately controlled, manipulated and harmfully misrepresented in an attempt to thwart the movement’s natural evolution and progression. This essay will explore the various aspects to such an argument in a number of steps. Firstly, I will begin with a necessary and brief history of both First and second wave feminism as well as a general evaluation of the current gendered system. I will go on to then discuss new age pop culture and mass media, as well as its involvement with the erroneous, sexulisated and popularized version of feminism that has been specifically highlighted within the new millennium. Consequently, I will also discuss how this is tied in to both the objectification, and subjectification of women and the recent shift between the

Beyoncé. She’s one of the world’s most beloved pop stars, idolized and respected by millions of women and men around the world. What is it that makes Beyoncé Knowles “Queen B” among the young people of today’s society? To state it simply, it is her role as a mediated symbol. She is an idol of women empowerment and beauty. Beyoncé, as a powerful and renowned black woman, alters the pre-existing hegemonic ideology of “white male” equaling power and success in American society. In doing so, she also reinforces the more modern concepts of this Post-Fordist society by “keeping different from the Jones’”. Though some sources disagree, this essay will argue that because of society’s hegemonic ideology surrounding what constitutes power and the “ideal woman”, Beyoncé has become a revolutionary symbol representing minority and women empowerment through the use of media. As an symbol she has and is continuing to demonstrate more modern ideological structures, which in turn demonstrates continuously changing societal ideologies.

In our contemporary American society, gender and gender roles are topics that can be contentious depending on the person’s point of view. Gender and gender roles come with an array of expectations formulated by society and highly influenced by the mass media. These expectations and roles that both males and females are expected to adhere to have become the social norm. Consequently, gender and gender ideology have been passed on from one generation on to another and reinforced by the mainstream media. Since most people rely on the media as a viable source of information, they begin to develop a misapprehension about gender and gender roles. The continual growth of mass media and its endless capabilities to effectively spread information has

“Radio, television, film, and the other products of media culture provide materials out of which we forge our very identities; our sense of selfhood; our notion of what it means to be male or female; our sense of class, of ethnicity and race, of nationality, of sexuality; and of "us" and "them”…” (Kellner, 1995) Douglas Kellner expresses the notion that gender roles and the stereotypes associated with them are sets of societal norms that dictate behaviour which is considered acceptable, desirable and apt based on ones particular sex. These constructs are often depicted in media culture and especially film, which acts as a social comment and offers society the opportunity to reflect on the ways social issues are portrayed and examined. The

The highlight on the latter raises a larger question about the radicalized sexual images of women today. It is most likely the society that is bombarded by the media’s usage of advertisements, television, billboards, magazines and internet. We are surrounded by the images that most people don’t have. Reality shows and entertainment are emulated and are the common choices for teens today. They may seem like harmless amusing entertainment but take a closer look, and you’ll see that the way women are portrayed is far from the truth. This may seems to be a successful marketing tool for several sources but its ways of showing malicious actions.

Media representations are ways in which a particular group, communities, ideas, topics, and experiences are portrayed (Breach, 2012). Media representations shapes the audience perceptions of experiences from their beliefs about race, gender, class, and their expectations about what is appreciated or accepted in society, and their notions of suburban, urban, and rural life. However, it is vital to know that people are not simply inert beings who consent with all of these representations without questioning. Social scientists argue that scholars are able to resist these representations, resistance that is often specific to adopting stances valued in certain context, particularly if they can parody or adopt creative alternatives to representations. Whether intentional or unintentional, the news and the entertainment media teach the public about other ethnic groups as well as minorities, and societal groups’ such as women, the LGBTQ community. Second, this media program or society has a particularly powerful instructive impact on people who have little contact with members of the direct groups being treated. Media images have the highest impact on perception when the viewers have fewer reality experiences with the topic (race, etc.), meaning what is viewed, read, or heard can be in relation to the real world.

Michael Omi makes arguments that racial minority subcultures are constantly disrespected and stereotyped in the media, and he argues that these stereotypes presented in popular culture have created a subconscious feeling towards minorities (Omi 116). Omi’s argument about racial minorities relates with the struggles of members of the LGBT community because they are unfairly labeled and their identities are construed by the media just the same as racial minorities. Omi’s argument can be complicated by David Bergman’s argument that LGBT members have the same interests, feelings, and do not represent the stereotypes as the media portrays them to be (Bergman 17). He also argues that, “Gay acceptance has been fueled at least as much by market forces as by a sense of justice”, American consumerism has put members of the LGBT community on a level playing ground (Bergman 17). Bergman is making the point that consumerism has created a greater acceptance of LGBT members, while media outlet still often create prejudice towards these same individuals. His argument ties closely with Omi’s because they are both arguing that minorities are falsely represented in popular culture due to stereotypes presented by visual media. Yet, Bergman also argues that popular culture and visual media have contributed to the acceptance of LGBT members by creating a niche market and

Media and its representation of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transsexual (LGBT) themes has been prevalent throughout time. According to the collections of studies and stories by Meem, Mitchell and Jonathan (2010) concerning LGBT individuals, it is important to represent such themes because it is able to enlighten people on how our society as a whole, has become dynamic. The Media can be seen as a “central source” where negative perceptions can be created. As a result, stereotypes can be either created or perpetuated about this group, negative or otherwise. Media as a medium, therefore, is an extremely powerful tool in our society, and can be used to change or create people 's perceptions about this particular segment of our world (LGBT).

Dating back to the 1920’s mass communication mediums of film, television and print have all been means that act as powerful tools of propaganda and thus play an integral role in the lives of individuals. It is for this reason that it is often widely accepted that the media is to be used as a tool, which represents a common public interest. Men and women are represented through forms of media in different ways, which create images depicting stereotypical traits and characteristics. The problem brought fourth by this is concerned with the issue of gender or the ‘discourse’ of gender and how individuals perceive themselves (Gauntlett, 2008) As the media is such a big part of everybody’s lives, there is not doubt that when this powerful function is synthesized with the medium’s capacity to accentuate present day realities on our screens the result tends to elicit a dominant ideology; which in turn presents an argument for major ethical implications in regard to public stigma and subsequent prejudice. This essay shall critically consider gender representation in Sex and the City (HBO, 1998-2004) and the extent to which these characters challenge the patriarchal privilege.

As we grow older, the media and the world around us subliminally influence our daily lives, personalities, and feelings of self worth. What we do, what we eat, who we associate ourselves with, how we look; these are all influenced and criticized by society. Women in our society seem to face more of these influences and criticisms. The media attacks how women act, live, and see themselves. Aaron H. Devor explains the differences between masculinity and femininity as well as describes how women are portrayed in our society. In a prose poem to her daughter, Jamaica Kincaid lists how her daughter should go about her life with instructions on how to walk, greet, and act as a young girl. Both authors give attention to how this society views and treats its women. As said in the web article, Women in American Media: A Culture of Misperception, women are essentially expected to be fragile and small, and to reach nearly unattainable aesthetic goals to please men and society. Understanding these three articles leads to the understanding that social stereotypes require women to be kind and loving, ladylike and feeble, and appealing to men.