Miss Representation

My reactions to the documentary Miss Representation and the article "Little women: How consumer culture is forcing girls to grow up too fast" were numerous.  First, it was made more clear to me that women are objectified and sexualized, often at a very young age.  It is become the custom to judge women based on their outward appearance alone, which in turn leads them to believe that their appearance determines their worth; obviously, this is not true.  This false theory has lead to women spending $12,000-$15,000 a year on beauty products; crazy, right?  The perception of women has been changing, but not in a good way.  Second, self-objectification is a growing problem that has risen over the past ten years.  When something or someone makes a women an object, something without emotions or thoughts, it is dehumanizing.  There's a gender bias in the media and advertising; marketers dictate what is put out into the world and who they want the information targeted at.  For example, TV targets men ages 18-34; therefore, commercials, movies, and shows are all going to contain material that would interest that age group.  This is shown by the fact that only 16% of protagonists in films today are female; it was stated that women in films were more complex beings in 1920s and 1930s film - beings, not objects.  Third, young girls don't see women in leadership roles or appropriate high stakes careers and then think that they can't achieve their goals and get discouraged.  Why is it that women make up 51% of Americans, but only 17% of politics?  Why is it that large conglomerates have male CEOs, but only one or two women on the board?  Society may think that the media and advertising don't have an affect on the world, but in reality, they shape society. The media doesn't care about moral, family, or ethical values, just about making money; it is sad.  This idea can be seen in the workforce; politics and the media look down on powerful women.  Men will pit female newscasters against each other; they will cover or talk about the woman's appearance, not what she had to say.  There is also emotional representation bias; reporters don't ask men and women the same questions and will use differing words when explaining their tones, such as complained vs stated.  Despite all the uproar that has developed about this important topic, there have been no governmental policy changes and no type of censorship in the media.

Both the article and the documentary eluded to the fact that this perception and sexualization of women at a young age can be dangerously damaging to the minds of girls and guys.  Humans are not fully emotionally or intellectually developed until their early 20s (around 25).  Skimpily dressed dolls and thong underwear sized for girls aged 7 to 10 are only a few of the ways that young girls are receiving this unhealthy message.  Not only can these ideas be damaging to the mind, but also can cause health problems, such as eating disorders, self-esteem issues, and anxiety and depression.  Everything that is done to change the perception of girls can be considered symbolic annihilation.  I really liked this line from the article, "The boundary between childhood and adolescence has really been eroded because it's profitable."   The article also talked about the affect all this has on boys.  Sure, it's mostly talked about how this dehumanization of girls is horrible, but what about all ideas young men are getting?  With all the ads and shows, boys grow up thinking that this is what the culture is and this is how it's supposed to be.  Parents can limit and control all that they want, but it doesn't mean that boys won't get the ideas from somewhere else.  There's a split in today's culture for parents: the "cool" parent who gives in and the "mean" parent who sets rules and punishments; as the article states, there's "competitive parenting."  As with most unjust ideas, there's been groups that have pushed for further education of parents and young children about the issue and for corporations to take responsibility for their part in this rising trend.

Little women: How consumer culture is forcing girls to grow up too fast - See more at: http://www.uscatholic.org/life/parenting/2012/04/little-women-how-consumer-culture-forcing-girls-grow-too-fast#sthash.c6ZQp7oU.dpuf

Little women: How consumer culture is forcing girls to grow up too fast - See more at: http://www.uscatholic.org/life/parenting/2012/04/little-women-how-consumer-culture-forcing-girls-grow-too-fast#sthash.c6ZQp7oU.dpuf

Little women: How consumer culture is forcing girls to grow up too fast - See more at: http://www.uscatholic.org/life/parenting/2012/04/little-women-how-consumer-culture-forcing-girls-grow-too-fast#sthash.c6ZQp7oU.dpuf

Little women: How consumer culture is forcing girls to grow up too fast - See more at: http://www.uscatholic.org/life/parenting/2012/04/little-women-how-consumer-culture-forcing-girls-grow-too-fast#sthash.c6ZQp7oU.dpuf

Little women: How consumer culture is forcing girls to grow up too fast - See more at: http://www.uscatholic.org/life/parenting/2012/04/little-women-how-consumer-culture-forcing-girls-grow-too-fast#sthash.c6ZQp7oU.dpuf

As a young woman, I imagine/anticipate the role that my gender will play in the workplace will be a strong and powerful source.  Despite the fact that today there are many career paths dominated by men, I anticipate that in the coming years there will be less of a gender split in these fields.  Women are capable of just as much as men are, no matter what the job entails.  Sure, there are fields were men and women better excel separately, but that doesn't mean that the other gender can't give it a go.  For example, engineers have been categorized as a men's field, but the amount of women interested in it is rapidly growing; also, designers have been categorized as a women's field, but there are many successful male designers for women's and men's clothing.  I think that depending on the person, women seem to have more of a drive to excel in the world; they feel as if they have something more to prove.  Additionally, women have other obligations that some men seem to leave by the wayside.  As mentioned in the documentary, 70% of women in workforce are mothers. What does that say about the dedication and effort that women have in the workforce?  I anticipate that women will gain respect and will continue to push the boundaries of the gender bias in the workforce.

Attending the Mount has affected my understanding of my gender and identity by teaching me that our generation, and the generations to follow, are the hope of the world.  Going to school there has taught me to have dignity and courage.  Having an establishment of all one gender may date back to times when girls were not valued as much, but shows that people believe in the education of women.  My understanding of women as whole has become more well-rounded; we are a complex gender with many great qualities and we can accomplish a lot when we put our minds to it.  My identity has been shaped; I have met intelligent and inspiring young women who have taught me things about reality and about myself.  I have learned that it doesn't matter what you wear or how you look, it matters what you do with what you've got.  I can't actually imagine completing four years of co-ed high school; things would have been so different.