Blog #6: Miss Representation

Miss Representation is a documentary that shows viewers how women are perceived in the media, and how it affects women everywhere. Commonly seen in media are stereotypes of women such as: vixens, dumb blondes, the popular girls, the "bitchy boss", gold diggers, etc. Young girls and boys watch these things on television and in turn affects the way women view themselves, and even how young boys are taught to view women. From a very young age, girls are taught that what’s important is how you look and that’s what your value depends on, instead of their brains or what’s inside. Because of what the media shows, men or young boys believe that how women are shown on television is also how they should look in real life, and instead of women being of any real value, they are objectified and sexualized. This affects young girls because if they don’t look like the women on television (which no normal person does), they feel as if they aren’t good enough. However, Miss Representation, also points out that men are stereotyped as well. At a young age, boys are taught to not show their emotions and that they are more powerful than women. The documentary even showed that the most powerful women are trashed by the media, so what does that say about normal women? In reality, the media wants you to be something you’re not, and all the money women spend on trying to look like the women they see on television could be spent on education which will last forever unlike beauty. As women, we need to realize our worth is more than just what is seen on the outside, but it’s what on the inside and that we’re beautiful just as we are. As Gandhi said, “Be the change you want to see in the world”.