Women Objectified as Showpieces in Pop Culture

America’s Next Top Model is a reality show watched by many people all over the country. In this show, young women from around the country audition and compete to become the country’s best top model. America’s Next Top Model is the perfect show to watch for those who love glamour and fashion. It immerses viewers into the material world and has become a fascination among young girls. America’s Next Top Model represents pop culture today as it depicts what is beautiful to teen girls and what is expected from them by today’s society.
This show not only represents today’s pop culture but also depicts young women as pretty objects instead of human beings. They are treated as show pieces as they prepare for various photo shoots and fashion shows. Make-
up, costumes, and props make their appearance
s appealing to the eye but no one actually gets to know them as people just by looking at their photos. The models in this show never display their natural beauty but rather rely on material products to beautify themselves. The models also make themselves vulnerable to the male gaze. The male gaze refers to the sexual perception of a woman through a man’s eyes. Revealing outfits of very small sizes are worn by the models. Typically their photo shoots have a sexual vibe to them that again is used to make them more attractive. America’s Next Top Model models allow for men to not only see them in revealing clothes and suggestive poses, but to also judge them on their appearances.

Shows like this one are one of the many causes of eating disorders in our society today. Eating disorders have become a part of today’s pop culture as young women struggle to have the “perfect body”. Tall skinny girls featured on this show become role models to young girls only because of their appearances. The models in this show make sacrifices to look pretty and view others as competition. For example, in one episode one of the contestants was forced to cut a large amount of her hair off. She was very uncomfortable with cutting so much hair off but she was told she had to make the sacrifice to stay in the competition and that it would help her look better. The girls on this show are judged very harshly by the show’s judges which often causes them to have to deal with emotional problems. This concept relays a dangerous underlying message to adolescent females who are forced to believe that it is their job to do the same.

Though this show consists only of female contestants, it does not equally represent the female population in America as it only shows women who make their lives out of fashion and beauty. Models generally don’t focus too much on their education when they can make a profit out of advertisements and fashion shows. All women do not have the same interests as these models. Many women are geeks in the sense that they would rather enjoy professions in other fields such as engineering or medicine. These women defy society’s version of what today’s women should be like. America’s Next Top Model stereotypes women to be beauty seekers when in reality some women find fashion to not be one of their top priorities. Shows like America’s Next Top Model allow female geeks to disappear from pop culture and instead stereotype women to only be obsessed with the material world.

Many of the women who audition for this show do not have a very strong educational background and therefore would not be able to provide for themselves without a man to support them. Though this show does give the opportunity to one model to have a high earning career, many of the rest of the women are stuck with having to rely on others for financial stability. This plays into the whole idea of how women aren’t supposed to be the ones working in a household. In fact, models like the ones in this show follow the common stereotype from the past that says it is a women’s responsibility to learn how to look pretty and know what a man likes rather than getting a formal education.

Shows like America’s Next Top Model easily influence pop culture and relay a message that takes importance away from the female gender in today’s society. Models come across as nothing but showpieces who focus on beautifying themselves in order to please society. This should not be an example set for future generations of young girls. Women can overcome materialistic stereotypes set against them and not fall into the pressure of having to “look like a model”.

References

Zeisler, Andi. “Feminism and Pop Culture” California: Seal Press, 2008.

America’s Next Top Model. Tyra Banks. The CW. 20 May. 2003
.

Women and Men in the Work Field

Women and Men in the Work Field

Pop culture has molded the public’s thought process to view success in the work field to be something that men are better equipped to achieve. For example, the photo above is a book cover for actress Tina Fey’s book, “Bossypants”. The photo has some unique characteristics that stick out immediately. First of all, Tina Fey has hands of those that belong to a man, and is dressed in formal wear that a man would typically wear. I believe that the book cover implies that being bossy and successful is something that is more entitled to males than it is females. Had Tina Fey been dressed in formal wear for females and had her regular hands in the photo, my feelings are that the book cover would not have been as eye-catching to viewers which would result in lower sales of the book. I believe this is a prime example of how women are not viewed as the stereotypical “top dog” of companies and businesses throughout the world. In today’s society, the stereotype is that men are still viewed as the leaders, the CEO’s, the boss of the company etc., while women are more of an assistant, the Robin to the Batman, the secretary to the manager etc. Obviously women have been trying for years to break that stereotype and many have been successful. Women such as Oprah Winfrey and Ellen DeGeneres are prime examples who have become extremely successful and good at what they do. Females and males throughout the world tune in everyday to watch the shows hosted by Winfrey and DeGeneres. Another example is when John Belushi (Former cast member of Saturday Night Live) ironically once stated that “Women aren’t funny.” Soon after, Tina Fey joined the cast of SNL and was one of the most popular characters on the comedy sketch show. After SNL, Fey went on to star (and currently does so in the present) on the multi-Emmy Award winning show, 30 Rock. Women such as Tina Fey and Oprah Winfrey have been able to show society that women indeed can be the star and can be extremely successful without the presence of an alpha male. Despite what pop culture portrays as women’s role in the work field, women in reality have a chance of becoming successful, or even more successful than males.

The picture above is an American icon that arose during World War II as a marketing ploy to attract women to the work place. With the majority of the men overseas fighting the war, women were called upon to fill the jobs that the men had vacated. Named Rosie the Riveter, the picture represented the American women in the work force. Before this, women had been working mainly as subordinates with low-paying wages. With the emergence of the icon, women gained confidence and momentum and began to believe that they too could work the same jobs as the men. Once again, pop culture is shown redefining the public’s perception of women’s role in the work force. In this case, Rosie the Riveter was used as a stepping stone for women to gain more leverage and equality in the work field. Women had proven themselves by working jobs that usually men would have worked such as the construction of airplanes. Rosie the Riveter shows in a positive way that women are just as good workers as men are and that they should not be discriminated based on their sex. It is unfair and frustrating to see still today that women are treated unfairly in the work force. Women tend to be looked down upon by males and even receive lower wages. Despite the fact that 100% equality has not been reached, I believe that women have come a long way in attempts to reach level ground with men in the work force. Pop culture has both a positive and negative effect on the work force. Many shows still have women as the traditional house wife who stays home and takes care of the children, such as Family Guy and Everybody Loves Raymond, but the roles that women can take on in today’s pop culture is an extreme vast range compared to the media fifty years ago. Today women are seen playing a multitude of roles from Emily Deschanal playing Temperance Bones, a forensic anthropologist on the television show Bones to Melora Hardin playing Jan Levenson, Vice-President of Sales for Dunder Mifflin in the television show, The Office. Women will continue to work towards full equality in the work field. Even if it is stated in the laws that no one will be discriminated based on sex, there is no denying that it occurs every day.

References

Adams, David. "Who says women aren't funny?." Maneater. (2011): 1. Web. 21 Sep. 2011. .

"Bossypants." Photograph. ThinkProgress. First Last. 2011. Web. 21 Sep 2011. .

"Rosie the Riveter." Photograph. EqualYouEqualMe. 2011. Web. 21 Sep 2011. .

"Rosie the Riveter: Women Working During World War II ." www.nps.gov. NPS, n.d. Web. 19 Sep 2011. .

Ziesler, Andi. Feminism and Pop Culture. Berkeley, California: Seal Press, 2008. 1-57. Print.

America's Next Top Model (draft)

America’s Next Top Model is a reality show watched by many people all over the country. In this show young women from all over the country audition and compete to become the country’s best top model. America’s Next Top Model is the perfect show to watch for those who love glamour and fashion. It immerses viewers into the material world and has become a fascination among young girls today. America’s Next Top Model represents pop culture today as it depicts what is beautiful to teen girls and what is expected from them by today’s society.

Shows like this one are one of the many causes of eating disorders in our society today. Tall skinny girls featured on this show become role models to young girls only because of their appearances. The models in this show make sacrifices to look pretty and view others as competition. This concept relays a dangerous underlying message to adolescent females who then believe it is their job to do the same. Eating disorders have become a part of today’s pop culture as young women struggle to have the “perfect body”.

This show not only represents today’s pop culture but also depicts young women as pretty objects instead of human beings. They are treated as show pieces as they prepare for various photo shoots and fashion shows. Make-up, costumes, and props make their appearances appealing to the eye but no one actually gets to know them as people just by looking at their photos. The models in this show never display their natural beauty but rather rely on material products to beautify themselves. The models also make themselves vulnerable to the male gaze. Revealing outfits of very small sizes are worn by the models. Typically their photo shoots have a sexual feel to them that again is used to make them more attractive. America’s Next Top Model models allow for men to not only see them in revealing clothes and suggestive poses, but to also judge them on their appearances.

This show does not equally represent the female population in America as it only shows women who make their lives out of fashion and beauty. Models generally don’t focus too much on their education when they can make a profit out of advertisements and fashion shows. All women do not have the same interests as these models. Many women are geeks in the sense that they would rather enjoy professions in other fields such as engineering or medicine. These women defy society’s version of what today’s women should be like. America’s Next Top Model stereotypes women to be beauty seekers when in reality some women find fashion to not be one of their top priorities. Shows like America’s Next Top Model allow female geeks to disappear from pop culture and instead stereotype women to only be obsessed with the material world.

Many of the women who audition for this show do not have a very strong educational background and therefore would not be able to provide for themselves without a man to support them. Though this show does give the opportunity to one model to have a high earning career, many of the rest of the women are stuck to having to rely on others for financial stability. This plays into the whole idea of how women aren’t supposed to be the ones working in a household. In fact, models like the one in this show follow the common stereotype from the past that says it is a women’s responsibility to learn how to look pretty and know what a man likes rather than to get a formal education.

Different attitudes towards women's pursuit (the edition of the blog)

Blog assignment:

The definition of feminism on Wikipedia is "Feminism is a collection of movements aimed at defining, establishing, and defending equal political, economic, and social rights and equal opportunities for women." No matter whether women's status has risen or not, some changes have definitely taken place in the media, especially on television. Women are no longer "just playing the role of the sweet, pliant housewife". They have their jobs and ambitions. But still the old images, or rather, traditional characteristics exist in television series or advertisements. What I will discuss below, is a most conspicuous example, that is, the TV series "The Big Bang Theory", which contains completely reverse attitudes of women in pursuing their life goals.

Penny is the only heroine in the Big Bang Theory who is a waitress at a cheesecake factory. In this video she burst into tears after she talked about her last relationship. The director, by this scene, wants to build a sentimental woman who undergoes a catastrophic relationship and longs for comfort from a man, which exactly matches the standard of "male gaze"--- "By positioning women as nothing more than objects to be looked at, sexualized, and made vulnerable, the male unconscious reassures itself that, really, it has nothing to fear from women" according to Zeisler. Men, in most cases, are in a dominant status and with strength and power, but women are more vulnerable. Thus, some women like to rely on men rather than herself and because they are dependent on the men and do not need to accomplish their ultimate goals in order to prove something, they may gradually forget them as time goes by.

That is the case. Penny does not strive for a successful career, partially because it will take her efforts to do so and the only thing she wants to do is enjoying her life, although she has a dream of writing her own movie. Penny is the kind of women who always keep in fashion. They can spend their life on horoscope, play video games, gossip about which girl has a handsome boyfriend, wear hot clothes and always put their life in mess. For example, in another episode, she can remember the three daughters' name in Brady Bunch but have no interest in any kind of science. This is probably from a male view because men often wants women to be more domestic and less successful in career so that they can keep their dominant status both at work and at home.

On the reverse side are some female geeks. The typical one is Leslie Winkle. She devotes all her life to the research which is her life-long pursuit. She does not care about others comments so she looks kind of erratic, does not wear make-ups, and does sex only to satisfy her biological needs. In the second video, Leslie, who can correct Sheldon's formula, represents independence. She herself is an authority, which equals to men's authority, and has the ability to challenge other men and finally abashes them. She is a sort of superwoman who can make everything she wants with the freedom to reign her own realm. But Sheldon's reaction reflects what most people think about--- a woman should never be so powerful like this.

You can never decide which attitude is correct because different people have different standards, but the trend is that most of people prefer Penny's. So now you may pose a question: why people, men or women, do not like a character, such as Leslie, created with independence and a strong pursuit, which are considered good moral properties, but prefer a girl with only a pretty face and figure and nothing else. It is easy to explain why men like Penny more--- she is more consistent with men's self-esteem. But why is women's attitude same? I believe it is because through thousand-year human development, it is men, who are in a prestigious status due to the strength and the ability to carry out more tough work, that want women to be an affiliate to them. Women are supposed to be gentle and soft, focus on domestic things, show more tenderness than authority. They should care about their appearance, making themselves more attractive, and most importantly, depend on men. As time goes on, women are imbued with such a standard and become proud of meeting this standard. However, the world is changing every day and so is those standards. With the development of feminism, such standards could be replaced by new standards which contain more freedom, independence and authority of women.

1. Zeisler, Andi. “Feminism and Pop Culture” California: Seal Press, 2008

2. "Pilot", Episode 1 of Season 1 of The Big Bang Theory, directed by Burrows, James, written by Lorre, Chuck and Prady, Bill, September 24, 2007.

3. "Leslie Winkle Best Moment Part1", Youtube, , accessed on September 21st 2011, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5zSZIrKx6Y.

America's Next Top Model

America’s Next Top Model is a reality show watched by many people all over the country. It represents pop culture today as it depicts what is beautiful to teen girls. Shows like this one are one of the many causes of eating disorders in our society today. Tall skinny girls featured on this show become role models to young girls only because of their appearances. The models in this show make sacrifices to look pretty and view others as competition. This concept relays a dangerous underlying message to adolescent females who then believe it is their job to do the same.

This show not only represents today’s pop culture but also depicts young women as objects instead of human beings. They are treated as show pieces as they prepare for various photo shoots. Make-up, costumes, and props make their appearances appealing to the eye but no one actually gets to know them as people just by looking at their photos. The models in this show make themselves vulnerable to the male gaze. They allow for men to judge them on their appearances.

This show does not equally represent the female population in America as it only shows women who make their lives out of fashion and beauty. Models generally don’t focus too much ont their education when they can make a profit out of advertisements and fashion shows. All women do not have the same interests as these models. Many women are geeks in the sense that they would rather enjoy professions in other fields such as engineering or medicine. America’s Next Top Model stereotypes women to be beauty seekers when in reality some women find fashion to not be one of their top priorities.

Women and Men in the Work Field

The photo to the left is a book cover for actress Tina Fey’s book, “Bossypants”. The photo has some unique characteristics that stick out immediately. First of all, Tina Fey has hands of those that belong to a man, and is dressed in formal wear that a man would typically wear. This picture implies that being bossy and successful is something that is more entitled to males than it is females. I believe had Tina Fey been dressed in formal wear for females and had her regular hands in the photo, the book cover would not have been as eye-catching to viewers. It shows that women are still not viewed as the stereotypical “top dog” of companies and businesses throughout the world. In today’s society, the stereotype is that men are the leaders, the CEO’s, the boss of the company etc., while women are more of an assistant, the Robin to the Batman etc. Obviously women have been trying for years to break that stereotype and many have been successful. For example, Oprah Winfrey and Ellen DeGeneres have become superstar talk show hosts and are extremely good at what they do. Females and males throughout the world tune in everyday to watch the shows hosted by Winfrey and DeGeneres. Another example is when John Belushi once stated that “Women will never be funny.” Tina Fey came along and was one of the most popular characters on the comedy sketch show, Saturday Night Live. After SNL, Fey went on to star (and currently does so in the present) on the multi-Emmy Award winning show, 30 Rock. Women such as Tina Fey and Oprah Winfrey have been able to show society that women indeed can be the star and can be extremely successful without the presence of an alpha male.

In the picture to the left, it says “Women, Like men, only cheaper.” and shows two women who are dressed in formal wear giving each other a high five. The photo is obviously talking about how there is not a vast contrast in the work field between women and men except who gets paid more. A woman doing the same job as a man will usually get paid less just because of their sex. As unfair and discriminating as it sounds, this is a topic that is overlooked many times just because of society’s culture and acceptance of how women and men are treated differently. The picture states that women and men are the same in work efficiency, meaning that when given a task, women and men are able to complete the task relatively at the same time. Or in some cases, women complete the task at an efficiency rate higher than a male worker will, but will get paid at the same rate or at a lower rate.

As the modern world progress, I believe that this problem will slowly start to go away. The talent that many women possess cannot be ignored any more. This goes in all aspect of the work field. I believe that more and more women will began to earn promotions to high ranking positions within companies, that women will began to see an overall raise in the amount of pay they receive, and that most importantly, women will not be discriminated based on their sex, but evaluated on how well they can work and contribute. Companies will be more fair on who they hire and who they promote because the companies will realize that hiring one person over another just because of their sex can turn out to be a huge loss and opportunity wasted. Companies will began to realize that women are just as capable as men are and that they too can lead and contribute to the company just as males have been doing for such a long time. The notion that men are smarter than women just because of their sex is an unfair and unintelligent choice for companies and businesses to make. Women deserve to be treated as equals to males not only in the work field, but throughout society in general. To treat women differently more males just because of their sex is unfair and a choice that is extremely naïve. Women will continue to make progress towards in the work field, showing society that they too can be successful just as the Donald Trumps and the Steve Jobs of the world are.