2017 Bridging Work - Essay
I personally agree with Berger’s statement that “a woman must continually watch herself”. This is not to say that I myself have similar values like Berger, but instead, I look at this quote as a reflection of our current society. Although it is the 21st Century and people across both genders are succeeding in their personal goals and career paths it is a matter of fact that women across all races and nationalities do face disrespect. We can clearly see this through the objectification of the female gender through the media in numerous ways. This has an effect on society and the way in which people behave towards women and how they view the female gender as a whole.
Firstly, the media has to be blamed. I admit that it’s not pleasant to start the blame game but it deems fit in this occasion as the media feels that women only come in one form. My point is that the media industry has criteria when they cast women in ads, films or television shows and only want them in one shape and form. This form is size zero. It's utterly ridiculous how although 49% of the human population consists of females which roughly equates to around 3.5 billion women, the media industry just wants one type of women. This is clearly why I agree that a “woman must continually watch herself” because if she doesn't physically fit into this absurd category then she is somewhat not considered a woman. Why is it that most models in advertisements have to be tall and slim? I agree that “these types” of women do sell products to the mainstream audience but why are we making millions of women who use the same products feel insecure just because they don't meet the industry standards. Hair colorant models that feature in the packaging of hair dyes such as L’Oreal are all shown as slim models that do not fit the actual purpose of the hair colour which is to “do it yourself” at home. These women are portrayed as perfect and therefore make other women insecure as they don't fit the industry standards of beauty.
Secondly, society itself needs to learn how to respect women and consider them as human too. Females across the globe are being mistreated through forms of violence such as physical abuse and rape. Females living in countries where there is a lack of education such as India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan are more likely to get mistreated through forms of violence. This is solely because of the media within these countries, have absurd standards of beauty. For example, women in India are only considered beautiful if they dress in “appropriate clothes”, have fair skin and like the Western world are slim. However, Hindi General Entertainment channels such as STAR Plus have clearly addressed these particular issues through their brand philosophy “Nayi Soch” which translates to new thinking. The female protagonists have been shown as strong, motivated individuals who look completely different from the media standards and represent South Asian women within the 21st century. This can be seen through the shows “Dhhai Kilo Prem” and “Suhani Si Ek Ladki”. Deepika the main female protagonist in the show Dhhai Kilo Prem is shown as an overweight girl who faces many hardships such as fat shaming but still continues to live her life by her own terms. Additionally, Suhani the main female protagonist in Suhani Si Ek Ladki is shown as a dark skinned girl who isn't accepted by her in-laws due to the colour of her skin yet with time manages to educate them that the industry standards of beauty aren't the only standards and that beauty comes in many forms. The shows have received a lot of popularity in India and have received positive response in addressing the societal issues which have helped women overcome these issues.
Furthermore, the music within this generation has transformed from harmonious tunes to rap and r&b songs which sexually gratify women. It is highly unacceptable that celebrities who are perceived and accepted as role models and idols show clear objectification of women. Females are portrayed as objects and this clear sexist viewpoint is neglected within society. Why isn’t it discussed or confronted? It is, even more, worse when female celebrities such as Nicki Minaj and Rihanna “conform to these current trends” and they objectify themselves within the music videos.
Finally, although attitudes towards women have although changed within some areas of the media industry it is yet regressive within mainstream media. This is why I personally agree with Berger’s quote that “a woman must continually watch herself” not due to the fact that she is inferior to men but because she is constantly judged and it doesn’t deem fit for her image to be tarnished. So, therefore, I do agree with Berger's viewpoint but not to his extent.
Firstly, the media has to be blamed. I admit that it’s not pleasant to start the blame game but it deems fit in this occasion as the media feels that women only come in one form. My point is that the media industry has criteria when they cast women in ads, films or television shows and only want them in one shape and form. This form is size zero. It's utterly ridiculous how although 49% of the human population consists of females which roughly equates to around 3.5 billion women, the media industry just wants one type of women. This is clearly why I agree that a “woman must continually watch herself” because if she doesn't physically fit into this absurd category then she is somewhat not considered a woman. Why is it that most models in advertisements have to be tall and slim? I agree that “these types” of women do sell products to the mainstream audience but why are we making millions of women who use the same products feel insecure just because they don't meet the industry standards. Hair colorant models that feature in the packaging of hair dyes such as L’Oreal are all shown as slim models that do not fit the actual purpose of the hair colour which is to “do it yourself” at home. These women are portrayed as perfect and therefore make other women insecure as they don't fit the industry standards of beauty.
Secondly, society itself needs to learn how to respect women and consider them as human too. Females across the globe are being mistreated through forms of violence such as physical abuse and rape. Females living in countries where there is a lack of education such as India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan are more likely to get mistreated through forms of violence. This is solely because of the media within these countries, have absurd standards of beauty. For example, women in India are only considered beautiful if they dress in “appropriate clothes”, have fair skin and like the Western world are slim. However, Hindi General Entertainment channels such as STAR Plus have clearly addressed these particular issues through their brand philosophy “Nayi Soch” which translates to new thinking. The female protagonists have been shown as strong, motivated individuals who look completely different from the media standards and represent South Asian women within the 21st century. This can be seen through the shows “Dhhai Kilo Prem” and “Suhani Si Ek Ladki”. Deepika the main female protagonist in the show Dhhai Kilo Prem is shown as an overweight girl who faces many hardships such as fat shaming but still continues to live her life by her own terms. Additionally, Suhani the main female protagonist in Suhani Si Ek Ladki is shown as a dark skinned girl who isn't accepted by her in-laws due to the colour of her skin yet with time manages to educate them that the industry standards of beauty aren't the only standards and that beauty comes in many forms. The shows have received a lot of popularity in India and have received positive response in addressing the societal issues which have helped women overcome these issues.
Furthermore, the music within this generation has transformed from harmonious tunes to rap and r&b songs which sexually gratify women. It is highly unacceptable that celebrities who are perceived and accepted as role models and idols show clear objectification of women. Females are portrayed as objects and this clear sexist viewpoint is neglected within society. Why isn’t it discussed or confronted? It is, even more, worse when female celebrities such as Nicki Minaj and Rihanna “conform to these current trends” and they objectify themselves within the music videos.
Finally, although attitudes towards women have although changed within some areas of the media industry it is yet regressive within mainstream media. This is why I personally agree with Berger’s quote that “a woman must continually watch herself” not due to the fact that she is inferior to men but because she is constantly judged and it doesn’t deem fit for her image to be tarnished. So, therefore, I do agree with Berger's viewpoint but not to his extent.
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