WOMEN IN MEDIA
PAGE 15
AN HONEST REFLECTION
BY; ANANYAA MAHAJAN AND NITA KULKARNI
Throughout history, women have been seen as the
the upcoming generation of young girls what it
“other sex” which meant that men had a large
truly means to be a “woman.” The media is a
advantage
educational
strong device used to promote messages of all
institutions, within cultural bounds, and more. Women
kinds to the public whether it is body image,
had consistently been portrayed as weak, submissive,
gender stereotypes or even lack thereof. To put it
and as second place. However, recently, women have
bluntly, the media is responsible for many of our
been breaking through and setting new records for
beliefs, from a very young age.
within
the
work
place,
many things that were primarily male-dominated fields. We witness female CEOs, US Vice Presidents, directors,
Female representation is a facet of the media that
doctors, actresses, police chiefs, artists-of-the-decade,
is ever changing as the idea of feminism, and
and many more. Since this is a recent breakthrough,
female
centuries’
beliefs
increasingly prevalent. Today, there is a movement
unfortunately still lie in the back of the minds of those
gaining momentum that calls for equal and
who oppose change.
accurate representation of women in the media,
worth
of
stereotypes
and
empowerment
has
finally
become
and there have been positive breakthroughs in the For example, women are mainly considered “beautiful” if
mediums of female superheroes, princesses, and
they have a specific body type, They can also be
icons who have shattered the stereotypes, now
considered as too aggressive if they possess the same
professing that women really do not need anyone
determination as male counterparts. Now, in the 21st
but themselves to save the day.
century, is our time to really break the barriers and show
7.
