Stereotypical Images of Women Today?

Question

I am writing a paper and would like to get opinions, input, etc. on what you guys feel about the stereotypical image of females and how it affects women in today's society. My hypothesis is that the media projects an idealistic view of the feminine form and plays on the insecurities of modern-day women. What do you guys think? Agree? Disagree? Why or why not? Please voice your opinion!

Answer 1

I can tell you first hand how it feels...we are shown that we are supposed to find time for the husband, children, family and career and somehow still have time to cook a gourmet meal, have wonderfully perfect children, be culturally and environmentally aware, have an immaculately clean house, entertain, look perfect with flawless skin and excellent wardrobes and have time to have earth shattering sex with our husbands every night with our perfect yoga and pilates toned bodies...that we have somehow found the time to go to the gym and perfect...and enough money to do it all...

A lot of women feel that they are trying to keep all the balls in the air somehow, a lot of women feel that they are failing miserably...

I think you are absolutely spot on with your hypothesis...

Answer 2

Good question. I'll star ya when I'm done answering.

I'm not sure about female stereotypes at the minute. Quite clearly, not so long ago women were considered mere accessories to their men whom they "belonged" to. Women had no independance. They were domestic, helping with the housework and the children. Rarely did they have a job, except for roles which were stereotypically for women - such as nurses, midwives, and you could argue teachers as well.

Nowadays though, this image has changed. Half the population still believe that women are pretty much worthless without a man, but as more walks of life emerge the people become more tolerant. Women can now be independant and free of men should they choose that lifestyle for themselves. Women get the same jobs as men, nearly (some more physical jobs still require men because of the biological difference - no stereotyping here).

Your report should include how women have been stereotyped in the past and then how they have changed. Bring to justice the people who changed this. If you're living in England, it would be great to include information about the Suffragists and Suffragettes - two groups of people (one consisting of only women) who won the right to vote for women in English history. If you are American, however, I still don't see the problem with using this - though there may be an American equivalent to this.

Then go on to how women are being stereotyped today..
The "ideal woman," as opposed to the delicate, quiet, pale woman who was always obedient, caring and kind, is now the lively, daring lady. She is stereotypically attractive - curvy, perhaps. Perhaps that woman is mysterious, and likes to play hard to get. You could even say that she's a maneater!

I do agree that the media is always projecting views which promote a certain lifestyle, or a certain weight or a certain height. But people these days tend to believe the media less and less.. at least, in my experience they do.
I'm not sure if you want to include men in your report, since your paper is about women, but if you do you could include that men go through the same turmoil as women. They're expected to be muscular, domineering and successful just as much as women are expected to be thin - and all that jazz.

I should think this is a lot of information for your report. Glad I could help! :)

Answer 3

Well maybe it's just me, but I think the core of your hypothesis, that "the media projects an idealistic view of the feminine form and plays on the insecurities of modern-day women" is contradictory, if initially impressive sounding.

If the view of women the media projects is idealistic -- that is, positive, upbeat and good -- how does that play on her insecurities?

Do you mean to say the media is setting the bar so high for women that the pressure of living up to the media image takes a toll on women? Well, I disagree totally. I think the place where women take a beating, so to speak, from the media, is in living down to the negative image of women it portrays. If a woman isn't a "hot chick" or "certified babe", with a slutty demeanor and personal style, she is portrayed as a prude and ugly nerd with whom no self-respecting male would associate. Of course that's unfair. But it isn't idealistic, as you say. It's crass, Girls Gone Wild, Playboy culture stereotypes the media gives women to live by, or as I put it, to live down to.

To me, THAT should be the thrust of your thesis. Not that media holds women to an impossibly high (positive) standard, but that it holds them to a debased, sexist stereotype, which they embrace or face ostracism.

Answer 4

Hm, good question, though it depends on which view it's seen, by culture, religion, and a few more factors. My view of woman today, are those who are willing to strive and work for what they want, since there is a rising number in woman who own businesses and rather considered "surprising" positions in the rat race we called life, for jobs, such as lawyers, police, politicians, firefighters, mechanics, etc. They is also an increase in the number of homes and apartments being bought or rented by single woman who only support themselves, or who are a single mother.

But sadly as for our male-counterparts, many, but not all, think of females as delicate, indolent, emotional fools who "can't handle braking there nails". This is what brings what females can actually achieve down, showing why it was a slow increase. This is why phases like " You run like a girl!" or "You throw like a girl!" can be found 'shameful' to their own kind, very sad really.

There's also the cases where other females, think of the Victorian-era Stereo-type thought of females, seriously that was at least two centuries ago, you think by now a fair amount of people would gain more respect for females.

There are times where females can play the damsel-in-distress, but there are times where others' take the job, the damsel, becoming the savior.

Well that's my opinion, hope this helps.

-Cracker Sarah

Edit:
It really is sad how now with the influence of supermodels, celebraties, teen super stars, and the likes of Paris Hilton, that many young girls, preteens, and not only teenage girls, but woman also, are being badly influenced, by the influence of Peer Pressure, veiws of being conidered unpresentable by others, in other words, "being ugly", when in truth they look completely fine and alright, and the most hated, being pushed up to become "like the rest".

Answer 5

I agree. People in our society are so focused on the media. I think that a lot of women still tend to feel somewhat subservient to men. Even though parents try to raise girls and boys equally I fear that they unintentionally program our egos. This tends to exacerbate feelings of inadequacy that they of course can fix by slimming down, making-up, and dressing to kill. Women are also expected to look younger all their lives. Why? It goes back to caveman time. Men want sexy young girls to mate with. We have supposedly evolved into cultured, sensitive, intelligent beings. The fact remains that even though we have progressed in so many ways, we are still physically and physiologically pretty darned close to animals. In the grand scheme of things it hasn't been so long since we dragged women by their hair while carrying a club. This is all unfortunate. I think that a majority of Really "Hot" women are more messed up in the head than their plainer counterparts. If we were truly advanced as a species, we would overlook the physical and concentrate on the intellectual, spiritual, etc. great question.

Answer 6

Well the media is concerned about money, and beautiful people are better to look at then, say, fat people. Seeing all of the beautiful people on the news and treading the red carpet might make girls (namely teenage girls) feel insecure, but thats a result of self-comparison. It's like someone who sucks at boxing. Don't compare yourself to Ali, he would kick your sorry *** (even with Parkinson's). The insecurities are created by the girls, not by the media. Of course they're portrayal is going to be idealistic, who wants to be fat? Maybe some people...

Answer 7

I think that sterotypes of women are ludichris, becuase u have no idea what the situation is. It's also not good to say stereo types about others bucuase there could always be one for u. Lot's of stereo types or some like if ur name is : stacy, or coco, or brittany or watever, ur like a ho. That nessacerily b tru, becuase lets say ur name is stacy or coco or brittany or somthing like that. It wouldn't b fair to u for others to say that about u. That how it is with a lot of stereo types becuase it automatically get ur first impression messed up. IT good to hear the opianon oof the person being stereo typed so then stereo typing doesn't ruin a persons life or a good friendship!

Answer 8

its funny that guys say its stupid-that women do it to themselves i never asked to be compared to a 5'8' 115 pound playboy model- then turn around and basically beat a woman down for being 10 pounds overweight the standards are too high we are normal women and preferences are different but bigger women by societies standards are ridiculed for trying to have a sexy look or attitude-have you noticed magazines lately ?how one says so-and-so let herself go! then a week later shes too thin? mags lately have been touting weight loss tricks and cellulite nightmares!! be careful you dont want to be a mess now ladies! sad i say and pathetic..............

Answer 9

I agree!Women now have to read all about what's it like being a modern women from magazins.They tell women how to dress,how to talk to a man,what to say aafter sex, how they should look like,how much wight they should loose till the beginning of the summer and sh*t like that!

Answer 10

i think the media tends to project an idealistic view of women to sell more product, rather than playing off of any insecurities unrelated to selling more product. it all has to do with the bottom line. (no pun intended)