[Miss Tea*]

I would like to first apologize if this is in the wrong section. I thought to put it in this section because the sub heading says a place to discuss and I’d like to discuss about this issue.

Women are portrayed positively in the mass media.

Do you agree or not?

Before you make a quick post saying “of course they’re not!” read on:

We have obviously been told that the mass media is portraying women in a negative sense. Women are being told how to think, that beauty is key, being skinny is being beautiful etc etc. I do agree, sometimes the mass media over does it with their ideas of beauty, driving young girls and many women nuts. But we are forgetting, there are always two sides to the story. The same thing can be said about how we think, has the mass media influenced us into thinking that the only messages sent about women are negative messages? Television has given so many women power, inspired women to become doctors, lawyers, and other jobs that years ago would have been completely unacceptable for women. The Dove Beauty campaign is also a good example. Now I ask Soompi members, if you agree that there are two sides to the story; that women are also being portrayed positively in the mass media. Then post and share what you think!

Okay I admit it; this is sort of to help me. In my English Media class I am told to debate agreeing with the topic “Women are portrayed positively in the mass media” and I need some help. But I wouldn’t mind if you argue against the statement. Even if this is an assignment, I think it’s a very interesting topic to discuss.

Sorry for the completely large blob of text above. Post away! . . Please?

[Pogichinoy]

Oh gosh, I knew this was a paper from the moment I read the title. XD But hey, at least you admited it in the end.

Women are no different to Men, when portrayed in the media. There are good and bad things from both genders that are displayed.

However, due to equality, women have been more in media today than ever before.

But the idea that the media portrays women as a requirement to be physically beautiful, comes from men and females with power in the media.

Everyone is to blame. XD Am I cynical?

[luna81]

I think we're still far away from equality in the mass media. The only solo female anchor right now is Katie Couric and she's more known for her looks than for her journalisms skills. Men in the entertainment industry makes way much more than women. In fact, I think there has been a decline in the depiction of strong female characters on TV and movies.

Look at Heroes and its female characters. Maya is weak, can't keep her emotion in check, Nikki has a personality disorder, Elle is a psycho, Claire is a whiny teenager, Candice was a villain. Don't even start on Grey's Anatomy and it's misogynistic storyline and characters.

Look at the dearth of movies about interesting strong female characters. They're either too demanding or too weak, sluts or naive, clueless virgins.

I also hate how most of the women are portrayed in Korean dramas, women are either clueless weaklings or man hungry villains. Look at Kim Tee Hee's character in Stairway to Heaven. She got a college degree, she didn't need a rich guy who could give a rats ass about her, she could work to earn her own money. Most of the lead male characters are college graduate while the females aren't, and if they are it's usually in some art or music major.

That's why I love Chuck, a new American tv show. Sarah is portrayed as a gorgeous and a great spy. The girl is strong, can kick major ass. I love that she's not klutzy either (usually strong female characters are portrayed as klutzy i.e. Susan from Desperate Housewives). Ellie is also fantastic.