Chris+and+Sarah

[|view article here]

Abstract: According to this article, female celebrities are changing our views of women in general. People are worried that reality shows and stories on celebrities are changing the way the American lifestyle is viewed. Often times, women are portrayed as subservient to men and subject to deception and violence. Also, the women in these shows are getting attention for trivial things such as their appearance or the latest party they went to; and they are less often getting attention for actually being talented. These celebrities are supposedly meant to bring a common bond between Americans and give an identity to the meaning of being American. However, the celebrities are continually growing away from what many American women are actually becoming. That doesn’t mean that every famous woman is illustrated in this light, but a majority are being portrayed this way.

Discussion Questions: -Could this article be related to Feminism? Why or why not? -How could reality be restrictive for women? -Why does the media trash the image of men and women in movies and tv? -What are other examples of the media portaying women as good for nothing except staying at home or vice-versa? -Would it also be true that to satisfy the lustful needs of men, the media try to influence women to crave sexual activities? Why or why not? -Are there some positive things that can be taken from this article?

Sarah’s Response: I thought this article was very accurate in the way it described how women are portrayed in the media. It is true that our society is becoming caught up in all the latest gossip about celebrities, and more often than not, it has no relation to us and isn’t very important. Women are being glamorized for going out partying and looking beautiful instead of actually having good acting talent. In addition to all of this, I think that by watching these celebrities, other women will become caught up in the same activities because they think that is the way things are supposed to be. Unfortunately, that could lead to more self-esteem issues for young girls who may not look or act the way these celebrities do.

Chris’s Response: This article portrays the way the media puts stereotypes upon women, lightly persuading them through TV shows and commercials. They get society to think that women are lazy housewives that love to gossip and have children, almost like a passive attack on Feminists. The media gets society to believe that actresses who are role models to a majority of the female population don’t like to do anything, and in turn they should do the same. The real irony is when they say shows are reality TV, and that if women become heavily influenced by these TV shows it will turn into reality.