The Portrayal of Women in the Media

Georgia DaCruz

Dual Enrollment
Mrs. Erskine
December 18, 2015

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Womens image has always been portrayed as weak or vulnerable, unable to complete the
same tasks as men. The traditional roles women play is to serve men. Not that some women do
not find joy in pleasing men and catering to their needs, because in that, women make great
wives; but they are usually seen as an aid to men, rarely the hero of the story. Although the
media has helped emphasize the traditional role women play, it has also exploits women for their
body image. They are often seen as sex symbols or sex slaves and they need to achieve a
certain image in order to be viewed as beautiful and pursuable. Meanwhile, in reality, no one is
actually flawless. The media works wonders in movies and photography to make the models look
better than themselves in order to achieve this image of perfection. This unrealistic body image
causes women to strive for a body that is fiction, leading to a lack of confidence, eating
disorders, and a mass change in the clothing industry.
The impossible body image women strive for is all over the media. From models to
superstars to even some professional athletes. Women are convinced that these particular women
are successful due to their bodies. The large amount of media pushing this image is virtually
inescapable to women. Mass distributions of movies, magazines, TV, catalogs, and digital social
media makes it easier than ever to see what people are perceiving to be perfection. In an
interview with Katie Couric and Dr. Christiane Northrup, they discuss how not even super
models and movie stars are happy with their body image. This is because the cameras and
computers edit their bodies to impossible sizes and shapes that are not physically achievable. On
top of the photo shopping of pictures, the models are caked in layers of makeup to attain flawless
looking skin and unbelievably big eyes. Dr. Northrup mentions in the interview that women
constantly have a virtual addiction to a certain kind of image, which is impossibly big breasts
and tiny hips (Girls and Women Struggle with Body Image).

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In addition to visual degradation, women are verbally talked down about. Rappers and
other music artists depict women in their songs in demeaning and disrespectful way. In the NBC
interview, Ms. Morgan Townsend explained when you constantly have these images attacking
you, its hard to prove that you are anything but (Black Women in Mass Media). With all the
songs and words women are called in the media constantly circulating, women struggle to make
a name in society as someone better and worth more than depicted.
Confidence is key. Without confidence, no wars would be fought or won, no proposals
would happen, and no progress would be made. Confidence shapes the world, and without it,
there would be nothing. A womens confidence says a lot about herself. A lot of confidence notes
that she is secure and comfortable in her own skin and will make her own decisions without the
influence of others. A lack of confidence says that she is vulnerable, weak and self-conscious,
which is how the media portrays women. Although most do not realize it, the medias influence
is broad and strong. Most women wont do normal activities or go anywhere because of what
they think they look like. The perfect image has planted a seeds of doubt and lack of confidence
into womens minds, which is sad because in reality perfection is an illusion (Girls and Women
Struggle with Body Image).
While a large amount of people worldwide would love to have a meal, girls all over the
country are skipping meals because of the image they are striving to achieve. Dieting and weight
concern have started in girls as young as elementary school. Dr. Northrup provides the statistic of
about 80% of fourth grade girls have already started dieting because they believe they are too fat
(Girls and Women Struggle with Body Image). The source of this idea of needing to achieve the
perfect body has started with these girls homegrown environment. Parental figures have a large
impact on a childs self-image. Criticism from a father about weight can be very damaging to a

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daughters self-esteem, and a mothers own opinion of herself is very influential on how a
daughter views her own body. In a study of the effects of this thin-ideal image, 157 female
undergraduate students were shown images of ultra-thin models, average size models and not
models. After viewing either of the models, women reported feelings of depression, shame, and
insecurity (Stice 288).
Eating disorders often result from the insecurity and dieting due to the constant strive for
the unattainable body. Although most mothers do not realize it, they have a broad range of
influence on their daughters opinions of herself and often follow their mothers actions. When
mothers diet, their daughters begin to believe that this is a norm they should participate in.
Depriving food and essential nutrients from the body in teenage years and early twenties leads to
early onset osteoporosis. In a sociocultural model of bulimia, it shows that eating disorders result
from increased pressures for women in our society to obtain an ultra-slim body. This thin-ideal
body dissatisfaction then leads to bulimic symptoms, which can cause more serious health
problems.
The medias strongest selling point is sex. While selling a product, whether it be clothing,
cars or even food, women are exploited as sex symbols in order to make their products more
appealing. In Abercrombies case, not only women were being exploited, but men for their
bodies. Their sales pitch was the thin-ideal body and if one achieved this body and wore their
clothing, they would become undeniable sex gods. Because sexual marketing brings the kind of
appeal that is timeless, it will be a while until the idea wears out (Underwood 86).

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However, already the clothing industry has made some changes, and most for the
bettering of body image as a whole. Due to the shift in the idea of body image and how it should
be something society preserves and cherishes, large clothing companies are experiencing a
decline in sales. Abercrombie & Fitch and American Apparel had to make some changes to their
companies because sex just isnt selling anymore (Underwood 86). Abercrombies main
changes included demolishing their look policy, which is how their decided to hire people.
They would typically only hire people who looked most attractive and most thin who would be
sporting their clothing in store while they sold Abercrombies products. They have also done
away with the half-naked models who would pose with customers in stores after you purchase an
item.
The positive shift in society has come from the confidence women are beginning to put
back into their heads. Nationwide and even worldwide, seminars are held to empower women to
love their bodies and embrace themselves. Clothing industries are suffering because of this surge
in confidence; however, this constructive movement can have the potential to eliminate many
health problems found in women and even men. Products have changed to fit the standards
people everywhere are now holding of body image. No longer is there a strong pull for the sex
appeal, but men now want confident, respectful women who are comfortable in their own skin
(Underwood 86).
A lack of confidence, eating disorders and a massive change in the clothing industry have
all been influenced by the media. Women are provided images of an ideal way to look and if they
do not portray these qualities and this thin body shape, they will not be wanted. The media has
used stereotypes, corrupting the idea of a perfect women. The mass media has always influenced
how women are seen in the eyes of men, but just recently it has become a serious problem due to

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the massive expanse that it reaches. Whether online or in actual print, the idea of this perfect
body is always readily available and able to reach women all over the world. It is up to the
individuals that shape society to decide to make a change and move towards a more positive,
confident future.

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Works Cited

Black Women See Themselves Portrayed in Degarding, Demeaning Ways in Mass Media. Perf.
Rehema Ellis and Ms. Morgan Townsend. NBC Learn K-12. NBC, 13 Apr. 2007. Web.
"A Distorted Perception of Beauty - Dove Self-Esteem Project." Doveselfesteem. Dr. Phillippa
Diedrichs, 28 June 2013. Web.
Eric Stice and Heather E. Shaw (1994). Adverse Effects of the Media Portrayed Thin-Ideal on
Women and Linkages to Bulimic Symptomatology. Journal of Social and Clinical
Psychology: Vol. 13, No. 3, Pp. 288-308.
Girls and Women Struggle with Body Image. Perf. Katie Couric and Dr. Christiane Northrup.
NBC Learn K-12, 06/29/2001. Today Show. NBC. Web.
Underwood, Katie. "Sex Just Isn't Selling: Suddenly, Racy Fashion Brands Are Discovering That
Social Responsibility Serves Them Better than a Bunch of Heaving Breasts." Chatelaine
Aug. 2015: 86. General OneFile. Web. 3 Dec. 2015. <http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?
id=GALE|
A421908380&v=2.1&u=va_s_128_0030&it=r&p=GPS&asid=121a814884f0c2ebd3bc4b
23b86b5613>.