Sexualizing Women

In her last and magnificent years Monroe’s life was evident of sickness and personal problems.

These titles may sound flattering to some, and maybe at times she enjoyed them. But her restrictive Hollywood image only seemed to add to her insecurity and troubles. The sexual glorification of Monroe stems from the constant exploitation that she has described from her earlier days in the business. While she both despised and played to this, “Marilyn Monroe would resent being typecast as a not-too-smart sex symbol and would fight a very hard but ultimately losing battle to get the public to believe that she was smarter (and less man-hungry) than the women she portrayed on the silver screen” ("Ten Things You Might Not Know About Marilyn Monroe.”). But why did a part of her also accept this? Why did she have this overwhelming need to satisfy the same people who held her down? She feared disappointing the public who put her on this pedestal and seeming imperfect. She was said to wash her face up to 15 times a day in fear of blemishes and sweat ("Marilyn's Beauty and Style."), and at the 1950s Academy Awards, she burst into tears. It seems that she failed to give herself the love and appreciation that she needed. As a result, she mistakenly turned to the camera for

In the American culture today, women are becoming more sexualized at a younger age due to the influences of the corporate media. Corporate media and society form the perfect idealistic body that women should have and is constantly being promoted making younger girls start to compare themselves to them at a young age. Certain shows and movies, such as Disney, influence young children and teenagers through their characters as to how a woman is supposed to be accepted. The way the corporate media and society make this body image they want women to have starts in a very early stage in a woman's life without them knowing. There are these childhood movies, such as Disney, Barbie and Ken dolls, programs such as Netflix, teen

Marilyn Monroe is a well-known legend and has been a public figure for several decades. Monroe was a distinguished model, actress, and singer, who quickly became known as a major sex symbol. Monroe starred in a large number of successful motion pictures during the late 1940s and early 1960s. She began her career as a model, which led to a film contract in 1946. Throughout her career, Monroe's films grossed more than $200 million ("Marilyn Monroe Biography," 2013). Marilyn Monroe swiftly became more known to the public for her behavior and outlandish actions; she was eventually diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder.

Marilyn Monroe, whose real name is Norma Jeane Mortenson, was born on June 1, 1926 in Los Angeles, California. She was American actress, singer and model. She also was one of the most famous movie star, the sex symbols and pop icons of the 20th century. Despite her an unhappy, difficult childhood she got succeed during her short life period. She worked minor roles for years. Then, she showed her comedy ability, appearance on television and attraction with films. Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, How to Marry a Millionaire, Some Like It Hot and The Seven Year Itch are some examples of these films. Her success and these films provided her to be the most popular film actress in 1950s

Marilyn started off being in movies but she was never really the “star” of the film until 1953 when the movie Niagara came out. This movie is a very drama filled film. In this film Marilyn “Rose” is on a trip to Niagara Falls with her older husband George, they meet another couple there, Polly and Ray. Once they get to know each other Polly thinks Ray and Rose have something going on between them. In the end Ray and Rose were planning on killing Rose’s husband George. This was Marilyn’s biggest movie that made her popular. In the same year Marilyn starred in a movie called Gentleman Prefer Blondes. This film was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture Musical or Comedy. This is a big accomplishment not just for the movie but also for Marilyn as a person. Marilyn Monroe was not just a star in movies, she also was the first Playboy Playmate in 1953.

After her lead roles in “The Seven Year Itch” and “There’s no Business like Show Business”, her work began to slow down due to undergoing psychoanalysis. But in 1956 she was in the film “Bus Stop” which critics praised her performance in. That same year, she married Arthur Miller and divorced him in 1960. Throughout that time in her life she abused alcohol, pills, and suffered from 2 miscarriages. Marilyn was slowly disintegrating. She would show up late on set while filming movies and was even fired from what was supposed to be her last film “Something’s Got to Give”. The movie never was released because of this.

Her first in a long list of achievements was when she became a very successful pinup girl. After a few years this would eventually lead to Twentieth Century-Fox and Columbia Pictures asking her to star in movies for them. From there she starred in a few minor films. These were the movies that made her a popular actress among different studios and the general public. However when rumors started to float around that she had posed nude in front of cameras before she became an actress the interest level started to rise. Yet strangely enough it did not turn people away instead it drew them in even more than they already were. She starred in everything from comedies to movies that focused on her sex appeal, thus giving her a plethora of movies that she could chose to be in. Although in 1954 she had refused to take a role in one movie and as a result, she had been suspended from Fox Movies for a period of time. However when Marilyn returned, she starred in one of the biggest box office films of her career, The Seven Year Itch. Throughout her entire acting career, she struggled with depression, anxiety, and substance abuse. This ultimately leads to her death on August 5, 1962 at the age of

As Monroe’s career drug on she lit up every screen that she was on, becoming one of the most famous actresses of her time. She had over thirty well known movies and was continuing to work on more serious roles. In the 40’s 50’s and 60’s women were just stepping out into the business world, going from house wife to working girl. It was the time in which beauty couldn’t have brains in the media’s eyes. Marilyn was put into the stereotypical box of beauty without brains because of all the flirtatious dumb blonde roles that she had played. Though through the later years of her life she was trying to claw her way out of that box because nobody took her seriously. She had said she would never regret the roles she had taken because they got her to the high point in her life that she was at. She had commented, “In Hollywood a girl's virtue is much less important than her hairdo. You're judged by how you look, not by what you are. Hollywood's a place where they'll pay you a thousand dollars for kiss, and fifty cents for your soul. I know, because I turned down the first offer often enough and held out for the fifty.”

     Marilyn Monroe was born Norma Jeane Baker on June 1, 1926. Her mother’s name was Gladys Baker Mortensen. Baker being the name of her other two children and Mortensen the name of her last husband who disappeared just months after their marriage in 1924. Although Edward Mortensen was Gladys’ husband at the time of Norma’s birth, he was not her father. No one knows for sure who her father was, but it was believed that it was Gladys’ lover C. Stanley Gifford .

The most widely believed theory of Marilyn Monroe’s death is that she killed herself by overdosing on prescription pills. Eunice Murray, Marilyn’s housekeeper and oldest friend was there the night Monroe died. “Marilyn’s light was on and the telephone cable will still under the door, all signs that she was still awake” (Eunice Murray talks about the day Marilyn Monroe died). During August 5th, 1962, the day Marilyn passed away, Eunice noticed that Monroe was not being her usual happy self. Murray states Monroe had “a lot on her mind” that day and was more down than she’s ever been. Eunice has a theory in which she thinks Marilyn tried to commit another fake suicide but took too many pills and tried to reach the phone; but when she did, it was too late. Norma Jean Baker also known as Marilyn Monroe, had a history of previous suicide attempts. These stunts were for more fame and attention; and

She was spoiled, unsure (Rudnick 2) and considered a dumb blonde (anb.org. 1) as she broke down many times between scenes of acting (Rudnick 2), she was considered an unserious actress. Despite the behavior, Monroe was still an inspiring, most famous person yet known. Monroe dedicated herself and built up to her career and image that she was and still is (Derakhshani 1). In the Mid 1950’s, Monroe became the most popular actress because of her sexual and vulnerable character (anb.org. 2).

The fascination of Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn still stays strong to this day. We often find ourselves loving the idea of these two flawless icons. Everyone wanted to be them then, and it is still true today. They were two major icons in the 1950’s. They were two beautiful, inspirational women. Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn really did live the lifestyles of the rich and the famous. Most people only see the similarities, but in fact, they are more different than some may think.

Marilyn Monroe, born Norma Jeane Mortenson on June 1, 1926, is known as the greatest American sex symbol of all time. Monroe had a very difficult childhood. She spent most of her days in foster care and orphanages, dealt with challenges such as not

Everywhere you turn, there are magazine covers, movies, reality TV shows that portray woman in a sexual light. When was the last time that we as a society sat down and realized the effect that this is having on young girls, teens and even grown women. The portrayal of women as sexual objects in these and many other types of media have greatly affected the mindset of society. What affects has this had you ask? There are there main effects that we will explore. First, is the effect it has on their self-image. Second, is the effect on how they portray themselves in their relationships. Third is the effect it has on their mental state.