The media's representation of women



Summer Bridging Work 2017; Berger's statement


Berger’s opinion stating that women need to continuously “watch” themselves holds a deep and valid truth. As Berger mentioned in his statement, most girls are brought up with the notion that they need to control themselves and inherit an oppressive behaviour. This reinforces his idea on women constantly surveying themselves.


Firstly, a woman is most likely to be regarded as successful due to her faultless reputation. This reputation is likely to be gained through being inferior and respectful to her male superior. She must not state her own opinion or make influential decisions. In other words, a woman must teach herself to be oppressed.  A woman who contradicts the rules is likely to be seen as a nuisance. In today’s society, women are beginning to achieve freedom as stereotypes are being challenged. However, the media’s representation of women is often offensive and degrading.


Image 1: Vanish advert


 










Women are still being depicted as domestic beings who have a moral obligation to stay at home to clean and cook. Most detergent adverts feature women cleaning their houses while performing other domestic duties. These include Floor, Persil and Fairy. While the majority women perform house duties singlehandedly, these adverts are exceedingly degrading as they suggest that this is all women are good for.  It also creates the idea that all women should be capable to undertake domestic duties in order to labelled a respectable woman.


 Image 2: Fragrance advert.

Image 2: Fragrance advert





















This advert clearly illustrates male dominance and female objectivity. As the male model is grabbing his ‘partners’ leg, it suggests that he controls her and possibly manipulates her. The advert cuts off the females face entirely highlighting her relevance in the advert. This once again stresses the idea that she is under his control and is significantly inferior. The female audience of this advert may begin to feel offended by the fact that the women’s face is being cut off yet her cleavage is in clear sight. Most fragrance adverts deploy sexual gratification to lure in their male audience. This may make men feel important but makes most women feel weak and objectified. This advert submits itself to Berger’s statement as he claims a women’s “surveyor” is actually a male voice instructing her on how to behave. This image can easily be seen in this advert.






Image 3: Robin Thicke, Blurred Lines (music video)























This video concurs with Berger’s statement. Robin Thicke’s music video submits to the idea that women are only meant to appear. The video, as well as the lyrics, feature content that is impudent and disrespectful. The video contains naked women standing and dancing in front of the Thicke. The women conform the ‘damsel in distress’ stereotype as they seem to lack integrity and intelligence. In other words, they appear to be highly vulnerable characters who need men to protect them and attend to their every need. The lyrics to the song make the general message worse as Thicke sings about how he tried to “domesticate” the women. He also claims his woman is the “hottest bitch in this place” and how he knows she “wants it”. These absurd lyrics and videos contradict all the changes that women have made over the years regarding their freedom and rights. Women’s struggle to fight against stereotypes is made harder because of videos like these. Female celebrities within the music scene don’t seem to care as no one questions these lyrics and videos. This once again adds to Berger’s statement as men remain to have superiority.

Many other songs and videos face the same issue. Songs such as ‘Ayo’ by Chris Brown claim that women are his “bitches”. Other than the foul language, the messages in these songs send an awful message to young girls as they begin to question if men are their superiors and if they should be dependent on a man to be successful in life.

The psychological effect on women can be detrimental due to the media and their portrayal of women. Many young girls today find themselves obsessing with their appearance due to the media’s image of how a perfect woman should look like.  

To conclude, Berger’s opinion remains truthful and many changes in society have to made to contradict his statement.


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