While reading chapter twelve I was particularly interested in the topic of how women are portrayed in the media and how that affects young girls. It seems like the idols of adolescent girls today come almost exclusively from the pool of rich and famous women taking center stage in music, movies, and magazines. Although these successful, independent women often radiate the message of being able to accomplish anything if you set your mind to it, the underlying tones of sexuality and the possibility of a perfect body always come with it. The incredibly unrealistic standards set by Hollywood has resulted in an epidemic of young girls adopting eating disorders to follow suit. Pair that with over-the-top makeup and risque clothing and you have the resulting age-inappropriate reality that dominates grade schools around the country.
I have done some research on this issue in the past and have found that this sexualization has been directly linked to the three most common mental problems among girls and women: eating disorders, low self-esteem, and depression (American Psychology Association). There is also evidence piling up leading to the conclusion that the effect of media on mothers is incredibly influential on their daughters. Adolescent girls are completely surrounded by messages of what to look like and how to be, and it starts at an extremely young age. Barbie seems to be the epitome of unattainable goals and most girls in the U.S. play with Barbie around the age of four or five.
Although I think gender inequality is entwined in the structures of societies across the globe and heavily affects the lives of men as well, the nature of women in the media is something that is causing rampant self-image issues among adolescent girls in the U.S.
No comments:
Post a Comment