· That there is nearly constant and overwhelming amounts of pressure put on women to fit into a section of society's idea of what a woman must be in order to be considered worthy of success, love or even acceptance. This pressure constantly bombards women to feel like they must "fit" into an unhealthy and even impossible physical ideal. This pressure is nearly everywhere you look, in advertisements, movies, television, magazines and it is extremely unhealthy and very damaging to women, young and old. Unfortunately as long as these forms of advertisements continue to sell products, and audiences swarm to the movies filled with size "Zero" starlettes this immense pressure will undoubtedly continue to palgue society.
2.) Is the advertising industry responsible for acknowledging these toxic cultural constructions?
· Technically/legally, probably not, however, I think they should be. This has been such a well publicized issue that they can hardly feign a lack of knowledge regarding the damage these advertisements can lead to. Simply acknowledging the toxic cultural constructions seems hardly sufficient.
3.) How can we as critical consumers and women push back against these narrow constructions?
· I think it is fair to say that society bears a great deal of responsibility for this problem as well. Society can send a strong message and have a powerful influence on advertising if more of us would simply show our opposition to this appalling situation by not only voicing our strong disagreement with this practice but also if we would actually stop buying or supporting products and movies/television that continue in this manner. By not showing our strong opposition for this situation we are in a way endorsing it and are thereby also sharing in the responsibilty for the consequences.
4.) Do you agree with Kibourne's claim that turning a person into a thing is the first step towards violence?
· Yes, I absolutely do agree with her. I believe it makes hurting someone much easier and guilt free if the aggressor can somehow make themselves beleive that their victim does not feel things in the same way that others do and are not wothy of better treatment or somehow deserves to be punished
From Jamie:
ReplyDeleteI agree with most of what you have posted. The only thing, and it is not that I disagree with it, but I do not think it would be possible to get the majority of the society (enought to get anything done)to stop buying in to this kind of advertising. Society does suck when it comes to self image. But not only do women have this, some men have to deal with this too. How many men do you know that meet the standards that the advertisers produce that a man should look like. Perfect face, totally cut body, good tan and perfectly groomed all the time. I don't know any.