This is a very interesting video compilation of high- and low-points of how women have been represented in mass media in 2013. Worth watching!
The video was created by the founders of The Representation Project, whose mission statement reads:
The Representation Project is a movement that uses film and media content to expose injustices created by gender stereotypes and to shift people’s consciousness towards change. Interactive campaigns, strategic partnerships and education initiatives inspire individuals and communities to challenge the status quo and ultimately transform culture so everyone, regardless of gender, race, class, age, or circumstance can fulfill their potential.
I have to agree with Nicole after watching the video, it seems like in our culture we are telling young girls to do anything they want, be anything they want,and to not let any social stereo type stand in their way. But we are telling women to stay in their place, not to stand out and be out spoken because then they are “being hysterical.” Our society is so focused on racial equality and being politically correct that we completely forget about women. At what point does is change for us, that we stop telling the girl to be anything she wants and start telling the women to learn her place?
As somebody who was very much so interested in becoming a news anchor, this video has really reinforced my hesitancy to commit myself to that profession. I am absolutely appalled that so many news anchors showed out right sexism on camera like that. Our culture still has ways to go and unfortunately news rooms are still to similar to what is shown in movies such as Anchorman.
When I first watched this video in 2013 I was astounded by how much I had actually missed pop culture wise. I like to think of myself as a feminist who of course believes that we are equal to men, and believe we should be treated as such. However, women are not portrayed equally to men. We see the sexualization of women all over the internet, movies, and music videos especially. I loved how the video started with all the positive things in the media with women and then it turned into the the ways that it failed. What really stuck out for me was how there was so much more ways that the media failed women. While as women, we are making big strides forward, there are still a lot more to take for the equal representation in media that we deserve. I couldn’t help but also notice that these women are willingly portraying themselves this way. If women are being portrayed this way, why aren’t men as well? If we’re an equal society why is there still so much of a gender stigma with being a woman?
Thank you for posting this video. You see changes or how young girls are encouraged to play sports and be whatever they want to be. However, as a women it seems that we can make one mistake and be torn down for it. Men, might get a slap on the wrist for misspeaking about something but as a women you are under a microscope. I believe that things are taken out of context due to the commercials and media perception of women. It is degrading and disrespectful. However, in my opinion people are set in there ways, especially those who grew up with knowing the gender roles and believing in two different worlds…a men’s and a women’s. Through the video, it stated out positive and, I will be honest, I was confused because these things are just starting to be rewarded. As the video went on I began to see what the world is still facing, the discrimination of women in powerful positions. It is my opinion that I think men fear women coming into their workplace. Language has to change, behaviors of comradely have to stop, and men have to be more sensitive because as women we do not have the same humor or mannerisms that men have. I think that this is where the problem is caused, men do not want to change just because women are now working with them.