Kelly A.

White
Student ID #218692930
EDUC 165 – Sex Role Stereotyping in American Education
27 February 2016

EDUC 165 MEDIA REACTION

Miss Representation Questions and Commentary

1. How does “the media” influence our individual beliefs and our culture norms?
Media and technology are everywhere, and as such, we have become reliant on visual culture
to shape our beliefs and explain things we don’t understand. Values have shifted from hard
work and education to hero-worship of popular celebrities and reality stars. So many
Americans have little to no knowledge (historical or current) of politics, world news, or
anything else outside their personal bubbles. With 24/ 7 access to television, Google,
Buzzfeed, TMZ, and the like, we are all more susceptible to the influences of visual culture
and the media’s “truth.”

2. How does what we see shape our beliefs about ourselves and about others?
Children, especially, are more vulnerable to images; their brains are not developed to interpret
and analyze the truth. At a young age when they are seeking an identity, what kids see plays a
huge role in who they want to become. Tall, thin, good-looking, rich—these are the attributes
that society deems important. Brains are secondary to beauty and money; envy is today’s
standard. Even adults, with fully formed cognitive abilities, fall prey to propaganda and
stereotypes. Our surroundings are how we view the world, and if all we see are other people
like us, we come to believe that no real differences exist—or another’s views aren’t valid.

3. Describe what “objectification” means, and then describe what that means in
advertising.
Objectification is treating people (usually women) like objects. Objectification dehumanizes
and often sexualizes women, especially in advertising. Women are used as body parts to sell
products, objectifying them not only to reach men but also to target and motivate women. For
example, scantily clad models devour Carl’s Jr. sandwiches while sauce drips down their
bodies. Men are drawn to this sexualized image from pure carnal lust. Even in ads targeting
women, thought, models are shown in Photoshopped near-perfected glory, creating
completely unattainable beauty standards for viewers young and old. Because of this, girls and
women have more eating disorders, lower confidence, less ambition, and higher rates of
depression.

4. Describe some gender stereotypes. What are the positive and negative effects of these
stereotypes? How do these stereotypes of femininity and masculinity limit girls and
boys?
Girls are weak; boys shouldn’t cry. Women talk too much or are too emotional; men are smart
and powerful. Women are nurturing; men are selfish. By pigeonholing men and women into
restrictive categories and traits, we do a disservice to both genders. Children are raised
believing they must behave a particular way, further perpetuating stereotypes and often
contradicting their own feelings of self-worth. Allowing kids to explore a wide variety of
gender roles, both in the classroom and at home, will encourage them to become well-
 rounded, productive, equal adults.

5. Why do you think media corporations use stereotypes to sell their products?
Conglomerates run the media and are focused on profits and gaining viewership. Media has to
support advertisers in order to keep revenue coming in. Whoever shouts the loudest gets the
most attention, and the advertisers know that stereotypes sell. Advertisers target women with
weight loss, make up, and other beauty products—propelling the stereotype that women are
concern with their looks over all else. Men are bombarded with hyper-sexualized car, watch,
and food ads—further maintaining the stereotype that men are consumed with sex.

6. How can you change the way media does business?

We can start by changing our current standards and raising the next generation to stop the
fixation with “reality” television—less idolizing celebrities or other unimportant issues and
more focus on education and community. Respecting others starts with valuing everyone’s
worth. By shifting our reliance on what the media serves (junk) to more relevant concerns—
hunger, poverty, equality, finding worth presidential candidates!—the media will also have to
change its agenda. If society reacts differently to and/or rejects what is presented, the
presentation will change.

Overall, the video served as further proof that gender stereotypes are detrimental, especially to
young children. My immediate family (husband, daughter, and myself) consume much less
television and social media that the average household, with a conscious effort on our part not to
succumb to the obsessive nature of today’s visual culture. Although our daughter is just barely
four years old, we are already concerned with what she learns about her body, her intelligence,
and her capabilities. Choosing to abstain—somewhat—from the barrage of messaging on the
Internet and television helps our family focus on what’s important. As our daughter grows, we
want her to make informed decisions, to be able to think critically and analyze the messaging and
the intentions behind what she sees and hears. The less we drown ourselves in popular culture,
the less we are subjected to the outright biases and sexism that continue to run rampant through
the media.

1. In the film, Katie Couric and Jan Yanehiro talk about their role models. Rachel
Maddow says there is an expectation for her to be a mentor to other women who enter
her field. Have you identified role models? If so, who are they? Is it important to have
women role models and mentors? How can YOU mentor another woman or girl?
As a mother, one of my biggest role models is my own mother. While I may not have fully
appreciated the many lessons she provided to me as a child, I now realize just how valuable
her influence has been and the ways in which I hope my mothering skills measure up to hers.
I’ve also had terrific teachers, both male and female, who have affected my career goals and
my reasons for becoming an educator. Female role models and mentors are incredibly
important for young girls; they need to see women in powerful, respectable positions and
realize that they can achieve the same (or greater) success. Children need a cheerleader to
build up their self-esteem. As a teacher, I hope to mentor young girls by encouraging their
potential and reassuring them that they are capable of anything.
2. Barbara Berg says that throughout history, the word ‘feminist’ has been given a bad
name in order to discredit the women’s movement. What is your relationship to
feminism? Is there value in identifying with the feminist movement?
To me, feminism no longer conjures the stereotypical image of bra-burning man-haters.
Instead, feminists are both women and men who support equality for all underrepresented or
minority groups. When people cling to the negative notion of feminism, the fight for social
justice becomes trivialized. Instead of bashing the women (or people) for making waves, we
need to focus on the issues and injustices.