Feminism Links

Miss Representation

This video highlights that women aren't given power and the media focuses on their bodies rather than their brains. They include news video clips focusing on whether females have had plastic surgery or not rather than if they're doing their job well. It explains how men are derogatory to even the most powerful women in the country and how our gender is all brought up to be insecure. They use examples such as how girls spend a large amount of time at school reapplying makeup even though they're fundamentally at school to learn not to look attractive. Experiments are used in this video, for example it's stated that 50% of young children of both genders want to be President when they're growing up, but if you ask both genders when they're older there is an evident gap between the amount of boys and girls raising their hands. The phrase 'you can't be what you can't see' is used and this suggests that girls can't grow up wanting to be independent and focus on getting good careers when the media is raising them to care more about their appearance and being second best to men.

Naked Truths about female nudity

This article is talking about the objectification of women in the media and how nudity scenes always need to be used for either sexual or comedic purposes. For example if a conventionally attractive woman is used in a naked scene it's generally in a sexual context, whereas if it's someone older or someone who doesn't fit the stereotype they're ridiculed or used as a joke. It mentions a naked scene in a film where the woman's body isn't conventionally attractive and how it sparked a discussion among viewers about what it represents. The argument that it shouldn't have to represent anything is brought up, as if it was a tanned, skinny woman we wouldn't question the nudity but if it's someone with a more natural body we would assume it has to have an underlying meaning.

Third Wave Feminism

In this video Naomi Wolf is discussing third wave feminism and the way these feminists differ from second wave feminists. She mentions how they have different views on personal expression and fashion choices, as well as sexuality. As well as this, she says they're more alert to class and race issues, and they're more willing to use media and consumer practices to reach their outcomes. She discusses the wearing of headscarves and how one woman claimed that wearing more modest clothing made her feel more free in Western culture due to her getting less sexual harrassment and objectification.

Cinderella Ate My Daughter

This video shows a debate about whether playing princess as a child is positive or negative. One mother says its positive as it is promoting being polite and kind to others, whereas Peggy Orenstein believes the opposite. She suggests that because it has become such a big industry, media is suggesting that children should aim to be a princess every day and all of the time.

Malibu Stacey

This clip is from the Simpsons and shows a Malibu Stacey doll being used by Lisa. In this short clip the doll says 'don't ask me, I'm a girl' when asked if she has anything relevant to say. It shows a sexist view against women as it suggests that females don't have anything relevant to contribute and the doll plays up to the 'dumb blonde' stereotype.

Power Rangers Advert

This is an advert for Power Rangers which is stereotypically targeted at a male audience. It is clear that this is aimed at males as the topic centers around battles and weapons. Despite there being female characters it is centered around male conventions as there is clear themes of violence and one of the selling points to the audience is they they get to choose their own weapons.

Bratz Doll Advert

This advert is aiming to sell Bratz 'Funky Fashion Makeover' dolls to young girls and it fits the conventions of a typical girls advert due to the colours and themes running throughout. The doll is essentially something to practice makeup on and in the background there are young girls imitating the makeup application by putting on blusher and lipgloss. This is an example of our culture raising girls to be adult-like and be self conscious from a young age by putting ideas in their head that they need to wear makeup to be beautiful. Although it is portrayed in the advert as a fun activity, it's still giving young girls the idea that wearing makeup is something they should be doing if they want to be stereotypically attractive. Running themes of pink, glitter and makeup are shown in this advert and they fit feminine conventions.