Feminism And The Portrayl Of Women In Media

Q

quoth_the_raven

Corpse
What do you guys think?

Reading the latest copy of Bitch (a feminist magazine), it just reminded me of how poorly women have been portrayed in our society by the media. Every woman nowadays is expected to live up to insane expectations. One day my sister had to write a report in her Women's Studies class about it, and she brought up a commercial for a popular body lotion. There are several of these now, and one thing that I really don't like about them (at least the ones they show in the states), is how sexualized they make the women. They make them sound like the only reason you should buy the product is to have soft skin so you can get some, especially the Nivea body lotion's slogan Touch and be touched.

There's also the subject of equality when it comes to men and women in society and particularly the workforce. Many people have brought up that it seems a woman is only expected to be able to exploit her body in the world, and when she stands up for what she believes in and tries to make her voice heard, people balk at it, like they are afraid of an educated and well-informed female with the balls to have individuality. Feminism also seems to be criticized:

Excerpt from Bitch magazine, issue 36: Dear Bitch--

I work at Starbucks and brought my Bitch to work with me yesterday to read during my lunch, like I would bring any book; we are allowed to bring whatever (or at least I thought). I went in the back room on my lunch with my coffee to read the magazine, and I couldn't find it. I eventually found it in the trash can. When I asked why someone had thrown it away, my manager said, "You can't have that here. It's sexual harassment!" Funny, I didn't know bringing feminist literature to work was sexual harassment, especially at a place like Starbucks, where the second item on our mission statment is "Embracing diversity as an essential component of our business." So I will no longer spend my lunch inside, but read my magazine outside where the customers can see me.
Coryn Wright {Chico, California}
~~~

I find that sad, really, when you can't even read a magazine because it's deemed 'sexual harassment'. Men and women face sexual harassment every single day. I hardly think feminist literature plays a part in it.

What are your views?
 
They make them sound like the only reason you should buy the product is to have soft skin so you can get some, especially the Nivea body lotion's slogan Touch and be touched.
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That's so true. I hate that commerical whenever I hear it I just say or think "That's so wrong" or "That's gross".
That Starbucks story is kind of funny though, I just think- What a retard for thinking that's sexual harassment.

So I will no longer spend my lunch inside, but read my magazine outside where the customers can see me.
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I love that :D
 
quoth_the_raven said:
What do you guys think?

One day my sister had to write a report in her Women's Studies class about it, and she brought up a commercial for a popular body lotion. There are several of these now, and one thing that I really don't like about them (at least the ones they show in the states), is how sexualized they make the women. They make them sound like the only reason you should buy the product is to have soft skin so you can get some, especially the Nivea body lotion's slogan Touch and be touched.
Click to expand...

Those commericials are so disgusting. They could really find a better slogan. I remember the old Herbal Essences commericials, where the woman would be moaning in the shower while washing their hair, it was really wrong.
 
most woman choose to be portrayed like that. Not everyone ofcourse and the initial poster's manager is a jerk for trhrowing that away but that is just the manager. I am studying computing as a girl and my whole life involves guys... I know what there like and how they see girls. they look the same to woman than we do to man. They just admid it openly while we wait for a talk between girls. That is the same as in the media. For people trying to live up to the standards they think is there is their problem. not mine.
 
it is truly sad how some women will degrate themselves just to be in a commercial.....it just FURTHER enables males to call them whores and sluts. I think its disgusting
 
but its not like ALL women are treated this way...take Hilary Clinton for example. Even if you dont agree with her ideas, you have to admit shes proved that women can play an important role in the political system......also we have to realize that NOT ALL guys and men are sexist pigs..osme support women
 
Oh oh! I wrote a paper on this more my Media Studies class! (Got an 'A' on it) :D

Yes, Women in the Media, check out this site for some interesting factoids.
Just so it's known, it's not just women (though we are less than fairly treated in media) it's men, gay people, ethnic "minorities" and such.

Of course the main topic that comes to mind with women in media is over-sexualization. That is very true but there are other things like power (or lack there-of), stereotyping, and achieving "beauty perfection" (impossible at best). It can really get to a gal if she sits down to think about how little it seems we've done. We still get paid less, have labels put upon us if we act too "mean" (or too "nice", or too "promiscuous" etc.), and face beauty commercialization at every angle. ("starlets share with us their beauty tips"! Cosmetics, creams, and facials of "the stars"! :rolleyes:)

Oh, and I didn't know there was a magazine called "Bitch". :eek: Haven't seen it on any news stand around here...
 
omg_i_hate_you You shouldn;t double post. Use your edit button instead! Just an heads up before some moderator comes in here and does something worse ;) :lol:

And it is also that the woman want to be portrayed like that are in the media because everybody who doesn't want to just doesn't so you won;t see them. And if you don;t like it just don;t go out by magazines and watch those shows, movies whatever. Everybody their way...
 
quoth_the_raven said:
Excerpt from Bitch magazine, issue 36: Dear Bitch--

I work at Starbucks and brought my Bitch to work with me yesterday to read during my lunch, like I would bring any book; we are allowed to bring whatever (or at least I thought). I went in the back room on my lunch with my coffee to read the magazine, and I couldn't find it. I eventually found it in the trash can. When I asked why someone had thrown it away, my manager said, "You can't have that here. It's sexual harassment!" Funny, I didn't know bringing feminist literature to work was sexual harassment, especially at a place like Starbucks, where the second item on our mission statment is "Embracing diversity as an essential component of our business." So I will no longer spend my lunch inside, but read my magazine outside where the customers can see me.
Coryn Wright {Chico, California}
~~~

I find that sad, really, when you can't even read a magazine because it's deemed 'sexual harassment'. Men and women face sexual harassment every single day. I hardly think feminist literature plays a part in it.
Click to expand...

While I believe that equal rights for all are essential (within reason, of course), I don't think it was appropriate for Coryn Wright to bring a feminist magazine into her workplace. I'm sure that she would be completely appalled if one of her male coworkers brought in a pro-man magazine.

Double standards contribute hugely to the problem she's protesting against.
 
AshleyWillows said:
Those commericials are so disgusting. They could really find a better slogan. I remember the old Herbal Essences commericials, where the woman would be moaning in the shower while washing their hair, it was really wrong.
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*shudders* Ugh, don't remind me :rolleyes: :lol:

I do think it is true that some women choose to portray themselves in this manner, but I don't think that portion of the female race is the majority. I think the majority of women don't want to degrade themselves in this manner. In the degradation of women, I think it is true that other woman can sometimes be the worst offenders; they are very hard on eachother (take your high school experience as an example). Maybe you were too fat, or weren't cool enough (these were my issues). This can encourage people, particularly the younger community, to dress trampy and try to exploit their looks because of their own insecurities. I think most people (especially women) need to understand that there's more to them than just their looks. It took me a long time to realize that.

There has also been mention of a large pay gap in the workforce between men and women. People have argued that the pay gap has to do with experience and education. Studies have shown that women with more experience or even the same amount get paid considerably less than their male co-workers.

Just so you all know, I'm not trying to pick on the guys here, trust me :lol: Just stating my opinion ;)
 
double posting...isnt that when you write the SAME messege twice? in THAT case i didnt double post and besides whats a moderater going to do?...its not like im spamming the messege boards
 
Yes, it called spamming, when you double post. the mods. will come in here and tell you, you have 24 hours to do edit it, You're new, they usually give you another chance.

Women never get treating good then men does. Women called worse when they do bad thing. When men do the same thing as women does, they get high five and never called bad name as women get it bad.
 
Women are shown off like sex toys in the media nowadays. And I find that wrong. And it pisses me off that the men who make those commericals and stuff (seriously.. women wouldn't make them!) make women look like that.
Grrrrr.... MEN! :devil:
 
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