Week 7: Mediated examples of femininity as specifically sexualized

This week our class looked at examples of sexualized femininity within the mass media. In lecture, we watched a video named Dream World 3. This video consisted of the ideal "Dream World" in which females long to be a part of and that which males desire to have. There is an underlying topic of femininity within the media and that is Conflating Gender and Sexuality. Three authors; G. Markle, N. Hunteman and D. Coon share their takes on femininity within the media. There examples vary from animated images of females in video games to Sex and The City and Charlie's Angels. Overall, there perspectives of femininity in the media is quite often the same, objectified.

First, D. Coon describes promotional campaigns for Charlie's Angels as being objectified as sex appeal. The women's bodies, being used to sell the product, in ways that they question gender roles and boundaries. They do so by fighting crime, "Go where no one else dares" and so all in heels. These women are inviting viewers to the movie to "Get some action." These campaigns are highly sexualized and revealing as it encourages male viewers to fantasize about the Angels.

Second, G. Markle in his article "Can Women Have Sex Like a Man?" he further argues the explicit depiction of female sexuality. Markle describes "sex like a man as being" a.) without feelings and emotions b.) for pleasure only and c.) without any form of commitment. The viewers of this show witness the challenges womens face from their relationships, sexual desire and risqué behaviors. Viewers can sense these sexual situations by forming to their "sexual scripts" these are learned messages from our culture that define how we behave and recognize sex. The women of Sex and the City deny the lack of independence as women are portrayed within the media. Instead, these women are quite opposite of the women we often see in the media; they are a.) economically independent b.) have professional jobs and stable relationships and c.) wear sexy outfits (ALL THE TIME.)

Below I have collected mediated examples of femininity as specifically sexualized. I believe these examples demonstrate a common idea of how feminism ought to be within our society. I have collected these examples based on ideas I was presented starting in adolescence up until now.

Beginning with:

Little Mermaid

"Part of Your World" (Watch the video here)

This movie was my childhood favorite. Beginning at a young age I learned how to depend on a boy for my happiness, that all things (materialistically) matter and that I am only beautiful when I am unattached (without a voice.)

Newlyweds: Nick & Jessica

"Nick wanted me to become more of a woman before he proposed to me."

(Click on the link above to watch the episode)

Photo courtesy Rolling Stone Magazine

During my teenage years a favorite show of mine was The Newlyweds, an MTV series featuring Nick Lachey and Jessica Simpson, following their "everyday normal married life." Yeah, right. This show (specifically) this episode taught me that to be desirable I need to be more of a woman. Therefore, I need to not only take care of myself but also cook my husband dinner.

American Beauty

Ashley Judd

Photo Courtesy the New York Times.

Also during my teenage years I spent a lot of time reading beauty magazines. This Ashley Judd advertisement was featured in almost every magazine. This advertisement taught me that to be beautiful I must a.) be married b.) be pure *dressed in white, in a very feminine dress and c.) wear makeup.

Now, a very popular music artist and idol for women of all ages, Taylor Swift. Taylor Swift produced a song called "What To Wear" this song places an emphasis that in order to get what you want (the man and the crown) you must dress the part.

Taylor Swift

"What To Wear"

She's looking in the mirror
The moment's getting nearer
She thinks about it as she walks her walk
Up and down the staircase
Make up fresh on her face
She thinks about it as she talks her talk

School dance, first chance
Always been a dreamer
There's one guy, she's shy
Sees him through the mirror
And everybody looks at her
She thinks about it

Blue dress, angel face
Looking in the mirror
Shoes, purse, hair tied back
And you should see her
She's got her magic
Floating through the air

Peace, love
One thing leads into another
Dream big, aim small
Man you gotta love her
She's got her hopes up
Got 'em up to there
Wondering what to wear

She's standing in her bedroom
He'll be pulling up soon
She thinks about it when she sees headlights
Looking out the window
She's got her diary to show
That she's been waiting for this all her life

First date, can't wait
Looking in the mirror
Heart all wrapped up
Wait until he sees her
He's looking right at her
She thinks about it

Sixteen blue jeans, Abercrombie T-shirt
Shoes, purse, hair tied back
And you should see her
She's got her magic
Floating through the air

Peace, love
One thing leads into another
Dream big, aim small
Man you gotta love her
She's got her hopes up
Got 'em up to there
Wondering what to wear

The years went by
The mirror saw her cry
She got up again
She got up again
The wind blew by
The small town lights
She got up again

Move out, find out
Where the world can take her
Bright lights, late nights
Living for the greater
Move to Paris
Living on a prayer

Peace, love
One thing leads into another
Dream big, aim small
Man you gotta love her
She's got her hopes up
Got 'em up to there
She's got her hopes up
Got 'em up to there
Wondering what to wear

Ohh, oh, oh
Wondering what to wear

Miranda Kerr

Vision of Femininity

Photo courtesy Models.com

Finally, in my attempt at modeling over the past several months I have been faced with an insane amount of sexualized imagery. I am being shown numerous photographs in which they say "Lauren, you should like this to be successful." Miranda Kerr is one of the top models in the world. She is a Victoria Secret Angel which in itself demonstrates the ideal woman in our society. Here, she is in an ad that I found ironic for this imagery posting.