Materialism

ARGUMENT

Susan J Douglas, the author of "Enlightened Sexism" argues that even though much progress has been made in the equality of men and women there is still much work to be done in how the media represents young girls and women. Douglas defined enlightened sexism as a response to the possible threat of a new gender regime. Now that equality has been fully achieved its okay to resurrect sexist stereotypes of girls and women. Within the media there is still the objectification of girls and women, there is still anxiety of females in power and the punishment of female sexuality. There are so many cases of women being sexually assaulted that turn the women into the reason for being assaulted; and we wonder why this is happening. Media is such a big part of our life and its almost impossible to see the line of where it enters our lives to when it becomes controlling. Douglas continues to discuss how media influences the population. Many shows specifically on MTV (reality love shows) focuses less on the finding love aspect but on the competition between young women, emphasizing on verbal and physical fights, berating other women, and competing for the man. These shows are the complete opposite of what young girls should be watching. On the other hand, sheltering children from media is impossible because its everywhere. Some examples of these shows that Douglas mentioned (to give a mental image) Next, The Flavor of Love, America's Next Top Model, The Hills. Douglas's main point in the reading is we have come far in equality but media misrepresented women in a variety of ways. Either tv shows and movies show women in positions of power, making the same as men and having a family or sexualizing women deeming them materialistic; both misrepresentations.


Peggy Orenstein, the author of "Cinderella Ate my Daughter" argues the mass production of materialistic things such as Disney Princesses, Barbie Dolls, American Girl Dolls, ect has influenced young girls to become obsessed with these products. First of all, lets not blame the parents of the children who "need" these products. The whole point of a company to be successful is to market and sell in the most effective way. Companies take their product and manipulate it in any way possible to make more money. Cinderella dresses, cups, tiaras, dolls and shows. Disney on Ice is a huge seller and when children see this, they must have it. One of the main points that Orenstein presents is the idea of "want" and "coercion". There really is no evidence that shows this obsession with princesses leads to low self-esteem but there is evidence that shows the more media consumed there is more importance on being pretty and sexy. This also presents the idea from Orenstein of "have it all but be it all". Orenstein also explains the rise in number of girls concerned with looks and weight and reports of stress levels and rates of depression and suicide.

From these two readings I asked myself:

From thinking about tv shows and movies, are we still heading in a progressive path, away from shows like "The Bachelor". Are we watching these shows because we think they are funny because people actually act this way or are we using these shows as a base for our lives?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/12/15/psychology-materialism_n_4425982.html