Blog 4, Option 1

The media images and stereotypes of men and women impact how we view eachother professionally in many different ways. I believe the false images and stereotypes in the media are usually directed towards women. There are many ideas that women are stupid and too emotional to be able to do an important job. I once heard a girl student say, "I would never want a woman to be the President of a America, because during our time of the month we are too emotional to do anything, and could potentially make a seriously wrong decision." What type of message is this sending to people? Especially men, if a woman thinks this, a man is more likely to agree. Its pathetic that in so many magazines and television shows women are awarded for being the most beautiful or for having the best body. Women are generally not awarded for being the most inteligent or finding a world-changing discovery. Professionally, this leads to women not being paid the same as their male coworkers in jobs, and eventually leading to discrimination. At school, girls are always stereotyped to not be good at math and science, when this happens, girls can often become discouraged and give up completely, and keep this stereotypical "tradition" going. Men are often stereotyped to be tough and strict in the work force, and generally not being nurturing, this discourages men to be more intuned with their emotions and closing the idea of men doing jobs that include young kids or anything that involves being sensitive. By stopping stereotypes, we will allow ourselves to open up many opportunities for jobs and find out more about ourselves than we really knew.

American Idol!

My favorite show on the television is American Idol. There are a few American Values represented in various ways throughout the show. Achievement and Success is represented in this show by all of the people striving to achieve to be famous and be the best singer in America, by winning American Idol, they are achieving their dreams of being able to share their music and make a lot of money to support themselves. Activity and work are also present, each week the contestants work hard to memorize and perform a song in front of America, it can be very strenuous and keeps everyone busy. One of the most prominent American core values is progress, the point of the show is moving forward in the music community, and making strides in finding new and different people to become famous. No one wants old-fashioned singers or an out-dated song, it's all about finding someone unique and someone that can provide a new audience of people. Individualism is also displayed often in American Idol, the show is all about celebrating peoples different and unique styles of singing and personal independence, if you are conforming on American Idol and not trying to stand out, you will fail miserably and not be successful. Youthfulness is also a very significant factor in American Core Values, first of all, you must under a certain age to even be able to try out for the show, and secondly American Idol is looking for young people, with a new sense of style that is different and not been done before.

American Idol sends messages to its viewers that they should value Achievement and Success because the point of the show is competition, a contestant on the show wants to acheive success by winning, and eliminating others by singing the best. Also, the show portrays the idea that Activity and Work are a necessity in the competition part of American Idol as well, without it, there would be no show, because no one would be able to produce good songs. This program shows viewers that they should valve mostly individualism and youthfulness however, because on this show its all about standing out, and proving that you are not only different than everyone else but better, and more interesting. In the end American Idol is about producing an idol that people can look up to and that can be a role model, and can become famous.

Movie Clip

The clip from the movie made me realize just how awful the media can affect kids today. I think its pretty awful that kids have to be exposed to such terrible things, but I also think its important that young kids are not sheltered from it, media is part of everyone's life and sheltering kids from it would just make it worse in their later years. However what is being portrayed through the media is not all right. Kids are getting bad images about whats important in life, and they are being taught to consume everything and anything. Media has a hugely different effect on girls and boys. Girls are definitely influenced by the media more than boys. Girls often set such a high standard for what they have to look like and act like, its ridiculous. The media portrays the "perfect woman" as skinny and glamorous, which is completely not the case because the "perfect woman" is not one set standard, its not black and white. And often I think the media sets out in making a lot of things black and white. This is not only ridiculous but also pathetic, girls are almost programmed to buy things that they think will make them prettier and better. Boys are influenced differently throughout the media. Boys often think its important to be muscular and athletic. A lot of the time the media reflects that boys should try and get a lot of girls, to be a "ladies man" which is not only unrealistic but disrespectful to women. Overall I think the media is never going to be stopped, however I think the explicit content in the media should be toned down and should become more helpful and realistic for kids.