The gender readings for this class really reopened my eyes up to a whole slew of ethical issues I have with the media. Having studied gender issues and portrayals in media previous to this class I had been aware the misleading perceptions of women (and men!) in media. When it came time to do the cartoons and drawings for the assignment I decided to frame my art around the influences surrounding women’s ideas of themselves.
I have always believed that media creates the image of an unhealthy relationship between men and women. The relationship between men and women has a serious impact on how women feel about themselves. They frequently strive to “be good enough” for men, whether through looks, style or attitude. Women have started to lessen themselves, to become someone who the aren’t, to become fake in order to attract men.
Media has a fixation on ‘thin women’ or ‘skinny women’, but often shun those who are of healthy size. I use the phrase ‘100 calorie women’ as a play on the 100 calorie packs that companies have started to produce and market directly at women. We are taught to ‘crush the temptation’ by indulging in one of the miniscule 100 calorie packs. Teaching women that it is only okay to give into temptation when it comes in a fat free form is denying us our rights as human.
If I want to eat French fries, I will. I don’t need to be on my period to eat chocolate, and someone does not need to break my heart for me to have an excuse to eat Ben and Jerry’s ice cream. Our society has created foods and snacks that are legal for all to eat, but why do we give into these ‘social sins’. We are the owners of our bodies, but we continue to let media reign over our rights as eaters.
