Media Portrayal of Women and Its Effects - 1187 Words

Throughout the century, the ideal image of a woman has changed drastically, which can be directly attributed to the powerful persuasion of media. This ideal image has transformed from a voluptuous, size 14, 1950’s Marilyn Monroe to a 5’9, 100 pound, 1990’s Kate Moss. The most shocking aspect is specifically what young girls are now doing to achieve this â€Å"Kate Moss† image. Through the utilization of advertisements and stars on the big screen, this female portrayal directly targets the physical and mental well-being of females in cultures across the globe. Throughout history, typical characteristics of the ideal woman have fluctuated between a muscular, curvaceous physique and a small, narrow-waisted physique. In colonial times, women played†¦show more content†¦During World War II, men were sent off to war, leaving behind a predominantly female nation. At this time, the ideal woman retorted back to the same values of strength and competency. Upon the return of the men at the war’s end, the infamous Baby Boom gave birth to more than children. Curvaceous and feminine women were desired across the nation, with famous model and actress, Marilyn Monroe, paving the way as the face (and body) of normalcy. In the present day, this concept of an ideal woman has slowly gravitated back towards the nineteenth century stereotype of having a frail, rail-thin body shape; however, social status is no longer the leading factor behind the movement. With the newly established capabilities of television access, commercial advertisements, and mass distribution, the rate of eating disorders skyrocketed. According to the American Obesity Association, 65% of adults and 30% of children are overweight. 30% of the adults and 15% of the children in the same category are considered to be clinically obese. Concurrently, the rate of eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, continue to rise at a phenomenally simultaneous rate (257). These disorders can be viewed as a direct result of media consumption. Pegging television as the main contributing factor for this increase may initially seemShow MoreRelatedPositive Female Role Models Eliminate Negative Effects of Sexually Violent Media by Christopher J. Ferguson,910 Words   |  4 PagesSexuality in the media is a major problem that influences the public both negatively and positively. The article entitles â€Å"Positive female role models eliminate negative effects of sexually violent media† written by Christopher J. Ferguson, tested four hypothesis as to whether or not the media portrayal of women influence or impact depression, anxiety and negative attitudes of women of both male or female. He also tested his hypotheses by concluding that sexuality violence is not only found in pornographicRead MoreSexual Objectification and the Effects on Women Essay1265 Words   |  6 PagesObjectification of Women and the Effect on Women 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 exploreRead More Enjoyment of Being a Girl: Overcoming Industry Standards Essay1489 Words   |  6 Pagesthat you felt depressed? Many women in today’s world experience these same feelings each time they come in contact with some type of media. The media has always used women as a way to sell products or used them as propaganda, but how far is too far? The media is a large source of entertainment for women of today. Women spend the majority of their time looking at magazines for latest fashions or trends. These media sources all share one subject: negative images of women. These places all share one thing;Read MoreThe Issue Of Inequality Within The Sporting World1285 Words   |  6 Pagessporting world affects the whole of the cultural and social makeup of Australia. In modern society there is great pressure upon people and communities regard women as equal to men. Women have come along way in one hundred years. From women being join the armed services, allowed to vote, and hold prestigious places within society. However women are still not held in the same esteem as men when it comes to sport. Therefore Australia should make it a priority of society to close the gap between men andRead MoreDoes Advertising Affect Self-Image1116 Words   |  5 Pagesa writer from the Media Awareness Network, marketers are held responsible for systematically creating anxiety, promoting envy, and fostering feelings of inadequacy and insecurity to sell us their products. While these marketers believe that advertising only mi rrors societys values and alerts them to new products and bargains, they are either oblivious to their detrimental effects on society, specifically the teenage and female markets, or are ignorant to the truth. The Media Awareness NetworkRead MoreThe Medias Portrayal Of Women1455 Words   |  6 PagesIntroduction The portrayal of women in the media has drastically changed through the years. Those changes can be viewed as positive or negative, but many times they impose an influence on female viewers. Those influences often lead to damaging outcomes such as eating disorders and depression. The range of influences and effects caused by the portrayal of women is wide and also includes low self-esteem, body image issues and the need to be a sex symbol. The Social Learning Theory is important in understandingRead MoreGender Portrayals Of Women s Advertising1636 Words   |  7 PagesCaitlin Scurria Professor B. Hammer PIT journal/Transfer Portfolio 21 July 2015 Gender Portrayals in Advertising Gender portrayal in advertising has been a widely discussed and researched topic for years by social scientists, consumers, and advertisers alike. However, many people have looked at the topic solely from the perspective of male and female consumers and the effect that gendered advertisements has on them. In an article from The Journal of Advertising, Linda Tuncay Zayer and CatherineRead MoreAdvertising Advertisements And Body Image1645 Words   |  7 Pagesindustry and SROs in ensuring that women and men continue to be portrayed positively and responsibly in advertising. History - WOMEN IN ADVERTISEMENTS AND BODY IMAGE Authors have also attempted to correlate various demographic variables such as age and education, as well as geographic variables with preferences for role portrayals in advertising. Through the ages men have been considered to be financial providers, career-focused, assertive and independent, whereas women have been shown as low-positionRead MoreEssay about Movie Icons1614 Words   |  7 Pagesearly 20th century, women idolized movie icons such as Marilyn Monroe and Camille Clifford. Around 1900s, Camille Clifford started the trend where the standards of beauty were set around 140 pounds, at 5’4† feet tall. Back then, the ideal female body is by having a smaller mid-section (e.g. hourglass ideal/corsets). Marilyn Monroe’s tiny waist and seemingly large bust line triggered female fans to start to engage more on physical activities. The outburst on slender-looking portrayal of body-image beganRead MoreThe Traditional Roles of Women in the 1970 ´s 1274 Words   |  5 Pagesadverts they reviewed reflected the following stereotypes of women. Women were portrayed as being home-makers, only being dependent on men, sex objects for men and not being able to make important decisions (Wenner and Jackson, 2009). One way adverts have portrayed women is stereotypically, emphasising on the importance of women looking pretty, the traditional roles of being a good housewife and mother. In 1950’s, adverts depicted women always at home and being a good housewife, cleaning, cooking