Media and Gender Stereotyping

The media is one of the most influential forces in the modern world. Unfortunately however, as our world slowly breaks free from the stereotypical walls built throughout history, the media is unable to follow in line. Marla McConnell’s paper discussing Media and Gender Stereotyping goes into the struggle in great depth, as she argues, “ an individual’s struggle to maintain a unique identity and self understanding apart from media influences is becoming increasingly difficult” (McConnel 1). Advertising and the media chose long ago how they could effect the largest target area. By idolizing a few celebrity bodies (the minority), they have been able to convince the average person (the majority) that they are not desirable. Though an intelligent marketing angle, this technique has proven to entail fatal consequences. “As it is currently used in the media, the body is stripped of its uniqueness and forced into frustratingly narrow constraints” (McConnel 6).
Sadly, these constraints often create an unattainable outlook on what men and woman should look like. The media’s portrayal of an ideal male body that has physical characteristics including “being muscular and possessing a full head of hair” has forced men everywhere to take a closer look at their own bodies (McConnel4). “It seems as though nearly everyone at some point in his or her life attempts to alter his/herself in order to conform more closely to the marketed ‘norm’ of attractiveness and desirability” (McConnel 5). The feminine side has proven to be much more dangerous. The desire to be “long-legged, slim-hipped, and large breasted” has created the narrow-minded perception that those who look anything other than what is celebrated, should start altering their bodies (McConnel 4). Marketing these limited figures is not only immoral, as it strips the beauty away from diversity, but regressive, as it builds upon the stereotypes about male and female figures that we as a society have worked to overstep for so long.
Marla McConnell’s paper on Media and Gender Stereotyping discusses the problems engrained in marketing. In today’s world, it has become nearly impossible to escape the sensual Abercrombie advertisements displaying men with chiseled bodies, or the provocative Victoria’s Secret billboards crowded with images of big-breasted beautiful women. This dilemma has caused an outbreak of self-obsession and a boom in body-altering products. The fatal consequences of this marketing scheme have proven significant in the statistical evidence that records the number of people with emotional/physical damage due to bullying, eating disorders, and even suicide. It is time for us as a society to determine what is important in life, and finally allow men and women to be appreciated for their individual qualities, instead of the few stereotypical, “desirable ones,” that have become so necessary to hold.

Life Under the Glass Ceiling

Our current unit in Mr. Saxon's Honors English Class has begun a study of diversity and the struggles that pertain to growing up within a stereotype. My poem deals with the idea of acting like a gentleman when in the presence of women. It can be inferred that the poem is a snapshot of a conversation between a father and his curious son who has just discovered his hormones. Perhaps he is nervous about confronting a crush that he has kept inside him for too long. All throughout the poem, the father dictates how to act properly around the girl. Even if the girl is not into this "accepted"  nature of relationships, the boy is being taught to treat her as if she were interested in such. 

• Check out this article about how gender is portrayed in children's literature
  
• If your interested, take a look here to read a blog dealing with current diversity issues in the world 
  

Ladies Man

It’s best to start you off young; the younger you learn, the more time you’ll have to perfect the skill; start by holding the door; let her walk in ahead of you like this; don’t be stubborn, carry her bags; but what if they are to heavy?; don’t be so set on growing up weak; be sure to groom yourself nicely; this is how to comb your hair; this is how to rinse your mouth; this is how to tie a tie; never forget your appearance; this is how to approach her; this is how to use a line; But what if she thinks it’s stupid?; don’t set yourself up for failure; this is how to look into her eyes; never show weakness; this is how to give her a compliment; when she is talking, always pay attention; listen for signs; always appear confident so she doesn’t see what a weak, low self-esteemed boy you really are; this is how you take her out to dinner; Remember when you listened to her?; this is when you talk to her about those things; always pay the check and leave a good tip for the waitress; but what if I do not have the money on me?; don’t set yourself up to be broke; this is how to hold her hand; maybe you should practice that some more; read her body language; this is a skill, it must be practiced; this is how to walk her to the door; always kiss her goodnight; but what if-; -always kiss her goodnight so she doesn’t see what a weak, low self-esteemed, broke boy you really are.