Miss Representation

 I had not really experienced the direct affect of sexism until this summer. I always knew it was there, but I was used to it that it didn't bother me. After given specific rules at church that girls were not allowed to wear bikinis, I challenged the rule with church leaders. They told me that I was to cover my body up in order to show love to the boys. They said the boys struggle with their sexuality when the girls display their bodies, so they must be covered. This infuriated me. Why was I suppose to suffer the consequences because the boys had issues? This, among other sexist implications, prompted me to leave the church.

The documentary Miss Representation represented these ideas for me. It talked about how the messages in the media cause people of all genders to look at woman differently. The woman that have significant influences on our society present themselves in a sexual and inaccurate matter and we start to see all woman this way. Little girls grow up with a desire to look super skinny and pretty to have worth. Men grow up to be very critical of woman because they do not meet expectations. It is a bad effect on woman everywhere. As a result we see less woman in office, as CEO's, and in leadership positions.

The girls we do see elaborated by the media are stereotypes that to not describe woman as a whole. People like the Kardasians are showing girls that they need to have good bodies in order to be accepted. Then, girls become insecure when they do not meet these unrealistic expectations for themselves. This causes eating disorders, depression, and a negative attitude towards woman. The girls that are given big roles in the media, like movie stars, are asked to portray a  disturbing perception of woman. Girls are shown to be out of the ordinary, like stupid, needy, or mean. Movies and TV shows revolve around men. The man usually has a savior role and then his woman is added in the background. When movies are made about woman, there has to be a man that supports her or that she is casing after. In super hero movies, the woman roles exist for the satisfaction of men. The woman are dress provocatively to attract male views. Little girls that grow up with these images around them and believe that they have to fit these models.



When girls see less woman in leadership roles, they feel less motivated to be in these strive for these. To defy these standards we must encourage girls to go for these leadership roles to inspire other girls. Men and woman have to step up to make an environment where girls are excited to step past gender barriers. We must stop ridicule and start spreading the love.