Misogyny, Rape, Violence, Objectivity are in the eyes of the beholder...or are they?

Does the media influence perception?  

Do people begin to react differently after excessive exposure to violence, misogyny, demeaning objectivity?

Does the gender of the "victim" alter our perception of the visual?


For decades, popular media, particularly movie studios and advertising agencies have denied that violence, et.al.  above, do not influence same off screen.

Three women at the University of Saskatchewan beg to differ.

See for yourself.

This school project was created for a Women and Gender Studies class at the University of Saskatchewan by Sarah Zelinski, Kayla Hatzel and Dylan Lambi-Raine.  "We wanted to show how ridiculous media portrays gender roles and stereotypes in advertising through presenting gender roll reversals."

Advertisements Don Draper Might Have Created

Two years ago, almost to the day, I wrote what is my third most popular post, Advertisements:  What Were They Thinking?   This morning, a YouTube video caught my eye.

I love the lack of imagination when it comes to how women are portrayed.  We are just waiting for that man of ours to turn us on whether it's by shaving, wearing cologne or making sure we buy the right tire for our car.  I could change a tire in my late teens for Pete's sake.  Yes, with lug nuts and a wrench.  

Obesity and over-eating is celebrated in the Alka Seltzer commercials.  As long as you can get rid of the discomfort, eat all you want!

I like the safari dudes portaging the Jeep across the desert sands to get to Amoco gas.  Doesn't say much for Jeep though.

Campbells and General Mills team up for the best promotional offer ever!  Can you imagine serving V8 juice with Cheerios, Kix or Frosted Flakes?  I bet this concept bit the big one.  That's why they threw in the moon rocket kit hook.  Did you notice there's no address for the mail-in?  Just Mount Vernon 10 NY.  Two digit zips in them thar days.

Ahh, cheap highs with Colt 45 Malt Liquor.  I remember that piccolo jingle.  I think the guy has a fly on the upper left temple.   And we finally come to the cigarette ads.  I used to smoke Tareytons back in the day.  It must have been the black eye that did it.

Booze and cigs bringing the 60s to a close.  So appropriate for those times, eh Don?

Our Faces, Our Bodies, Ourselves

Ashley Judd is challenging the media as well as the rest of us to stop the incessant focus on outward beauty. She is criticizing the critics telling them to get back to the inherent values of worth: good deeds, kindness, character, inner strength...all "beautiful". It was refreshing to listen to her outrage on last nights Rock Center.

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I don't know about you but I am certainly guilty of participating in the practice of "Wonder if she/he's had work done?".  I had the conversation with the husband of a friend who looks so darn good in photos I was sure she'd gone under the knife.  He laughed and assured me she hasn't.  But I started the dialog.  It's part of our world of "looking good is better than feeling good."  I should know.  I'm from L.A.

Women are too often treated as objects, armpieces, decoration, at-your-service.  We may be asked to do things in exchange for climbing the ladder.  We may think it's okay to exchange self-esteem for security.  But we almost always have a say.  We have the right, the obligation to say "No" if we, in fact, don't like what we're asked to do.  Some women/girls have no say whatsoever.  They are slaves, chattel, second or third class citizens.  They are seen and not heard.  Luckily, this is not the norm in America though I know it can happen.  Polygamous society anyone?

We all scrutinize ourselves and one another too much.  We're all critical.  I am probably more focused on my looks now they are changing, aging & losing their luster than at any other point in my life.  It's exhausting.

What are your thoughts?  Have women perpetrated an age-old problem?  Is it thrust upon us by the male hierarchy, still in charge?  The media?  Advertising?  What can we do to change the dialog?