Makeover Feminism Essay - 2037 Words

Makeover Feminism Most viewers of commercial television or consumers of popular magazines have seen striking images of women whose appearance has been dramatically altered. Many of these â€Å"made-over† women changed their body image through diet and exercise regimes, skillfully applied makeup, or elective cosmetic surgery. Possessed of higher education, prestigious careers, and families, these successful women often report that they felt some aspect of their appearance prevented them from reaching their goals. Responding to criticism from feminists, they defend the choice to enhance their appearance as a tactical effort to win power in normative society. Drawing on popular media interpretations of third wave feminism, women†¦show more content†¦Attractive women are perceived as friendlier and more competent than their non-attractive peers (Franzoi 374). Women, valued culturally for their sexual and reproductive role in the lives of men, uniquely suffer this association of virtue with beauty. Feminism traditionally attempts to deconstruct these cultural attributions by questioning the enshrinement of idealized feminine imagery in art, literature, theology, and law (for instance, iconic images of the Blessed Virgin Mary, or popular images perfect mothers such as Donna Read or June Cleaver). Feminists argue that women must be taken seriously as human beings that contribute to the community and the larger culture. Women should not to be valued solely as objects of male sexual gratification, or the surrogate means through which he may own his progeny. If women conform to the pressure to be beautiful, thin, and glamorous just so they can have equal opportunities, they capitulate to an oppressive patriarchal paradigm. Supporters ofShow MoreRelatedSexism in the Media2977 Words   |  12 Pagessexism in the media Karen Harper, Oakland LMV What comprises sexism and feminism? Do sexist images in the media have an impact on women and girls? And, what are the broader political issues here? I am hoping that we can reframe the debate around sexism and nudity in the media in a way that makes sense for socialists. We’re all probably aware of sexist representations in the media from newspapers and magazines to the movies, TV and radio. For example, Rolling Stone magazine didn’t used to be a softRead MoreCosmetic Surgery for Middle-Aged Women Essay example2262 Words   |  10 Pagesbeauty should be like. An exploration of cosmetics surgery on television shows Extreme Makeovers and Nip/ Tuck all these programmes reflect on early middle age women to exploit themselves to cosmetic surgery to look perfectionist (Kayhan, Baig, Mehmi, Basra, 2010). Feminist argue that the response to cosmetic surgery dangerously reflects the oppressive standards for acceptable appearance. The Extreme Makeover and Nip/Tuck shows illustrate towards feminist sensibility server the stage conflictRead MoreThe Reality Of Reality Television1887 Words   |  8 PagesReality television has several sub-genres such as talent contests, reality news, makeover shows, and even some law enforcement programs. However, the genres that portray women in the most negative way followed by an enormous amount of stereotypes are dating shows and documentary or lifestyle series. Reality shows have grew to be one of the most exciting and successful forms of TV program today with many networks that provide different series of jaw-dropping â€Å"reality†. 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The only goal the female character has is to gain the attention of the main character. In other movies and television shows when the female character is not considered attractive, she must go through a complete makeover before her love interest even notices her. Once the makeover is complete, the girl’s love interest is completely stupefied with her beauty and instantly falls in love with her. This plot device leads young women to believe that to gain a boy’s attention; they must change themselvesRead MoreThe Culture Of Popular Culture860 Words   |  4 Pagessuch as books, films, music genre, as well as how the culture is being marketed and the market that is being targeted. One such popular culture was riot grrrl†¦ which occurred during the early ‘90s. 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Many scholars have written on gender and culture; mos t of the highlighted discussionsRead MoreA Cyborg Manifesto Essay1789 Words   |  8 PagesIn Donna Haraway’s essay, â€Å"A Cyborg Manifesto: Science, Technology, and Socialist-Feminism in the Late Twentieth Century† it is an effort to establish a political point of view on Feminism which an ironic political myth which is authentic to feminism, socialism, and materialism. Her motive is to build a structure that is faithful to feminism and socialism, â€Å"To build an ironic political myth faithful to feminism, socialism and materialism.†(p.149) Haraway develops her ironic myth by hypothesising