The year is 2013 and women have made immense progress through the decades since being given the right to vote in the United States. Women continue to higher education and careers at the same rate that men do. This is all hard-earned progress in the history of women, as traditionally women were supposed to fulfill "traditional" roles.
It's interesting to think about how social media and the Internet are shaping our lives. It is happening in ways we won't fully understand for years, but we are starting to see some of the damaging effects the Internet has on society, including less face-to-face social interaction, Internet bullying, and narcissism. Among these negative effects is the objectification of women (again). Many people use the Internet to look at pornography. What Caitlin Moran, of How to Be a Woman, observed, is that most pornography that is available portrays traditional power roles and unrealistic women. Women without body hair, with enlarged breasts, and made up faces. Suddenly, people who view pornography are expecting that real life women look and act this way. It is seen as "normal" when it's actually quite the opposite.
Additionally, the Internet allows for many ads to be shown. Often women are digitally enhanced and are striking provocative poses. In ads for American Apparel for example, a company that often advertises gender-neutral clothing, a woman and a man might be outfitted in the same flannel shirt. The woman, however, won't be wearing pants with her shirt, and her buttons might not be buttoned.
The Internet is also full of sex tips, make up tips, and tips about getting the "perfect" body or the "perfect" outfit. It allows for women to worry and fuss over details and perfection that men aren't asked to do. Women feel as though these are necessary concerns in finding jobs, finding love, and just "feeling good," though the same ideas aren't imposed on men.
This is just a brief overview of the ways the Internet and media has shaped a new generation of women, a generation that hasn't had to fight for equality, and is actually allowing for the subtle backslide into oppression and male dominance.
--Megan
It's interesting to think about how social media and the Internet are shaping our lives. It is happening in ways we won't fully understand for years, but we are starting to see some of the damaging effects the Internet has on society, including less face-to-face social interaction, Internet bullying, and narcissism. Among these negative effects is the objectification of women (again). Many people use the Internet to look at pornography. What Caitlin Moran, of How to Be a Woman, observed, is that most pornography that is available portrays traditional power roles and unrealistic women. Women without body hair, with enlarged breasts, and made up faces. Suddenly, people who view pornography are expecting that real life women look and act this way. It is seen as "normal" when it's actually quite the opposite.
Additionally, the Internet allows for many ads to be shown. Often women are digitally enhanced and are striking provocative poses. In ads for American Apparel for example, a company that often advertises gender-neutral clothing, a woman and a man might be outfitted in the same flannel shirt. The woman, however, won't be wearing pants with her shirt, and her buttons might not be buttoned.
The Internet is also full of sex tips, make up tips, and tips about getting the "perfect" body or the "perfect" outfit. It allows for women to worry and fuss over details and perfection that men aren't asked to do. Women feel as though these are necessary concerns in finding jobs, finding love, and just "feeling good," though the same ideas aren't imposed on men.
This is just a brief overview of the ways the Internet and media has shaped a new generation of women, a generation that hasn't had to fight for equality, and is actually allowing for the subtle backslide into oppression and male dominance.
--Megan
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