April 2018
Feminist Times Inspiring and empowering women
SEX
Sells - but at what cost? According to research drinking gin can have health benefits
MARGOT ROBBIE Oscar nominated I, Tonya Pregnant Princess: Anna finally confirms baby rumours in an Instagram post
Feminism It would be much better if everyone was a feminist The latest fashion and beauty trends
Romance and dating
Is love dead in 2018? The unrealistic expectations of rom-coms
UK ÂŁ4.99
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Feminist Times 8
Contents 8.
Media and marketing Sex sells - but at what cost?
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Lifestyle According to research drinking gin can have health benefits
13. Is love dead in 2018? 14. Film
Cover story: I, Tonya review 18.
What I wish I’d known be fore I became a lover of rom coms
22. Society It would be much better if everyone was a feminist
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29. Celebrity culture Pregnant princess: Anna and Kristoff finally con firm that they are expect ing their first child 30. Digital Culture Social media is for idiots (a mentality for people who don’t know how to use it)
Feminist times 55 Cherry Lane Canterbury
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Kent
Ct2 9QT Director and editor Rebecca Stovell
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Feminist A letter from the editor Feminist Times is not your ordinary magazine. We believe in empowering and inspiring women and celebrating everything female. Even the adverts and brands we endorse are about encouraging women to be themselves and love who they are. On March 8th we celebrated international women’s day, so in this issue we will look at why people are still struggling to come to terms with the feminist label and what feminism really means. On top of this we will look at romance and dating in 2018 and whether the movies are ruining it and if dating really is dead. Plus, will be discussing all things I Tonya and delight in the latest news that princess Anna is pregnant. Disclaimer: This magazine has been created by an undergraduate student at the university of Kent for a writing in the media module. It is for educational purposes only. Nothing in this issue has any commercial purpose or function. Any copyrighted images appear for non-profit educational purposes, under fair use. All views and opinions are strictly my own (the author).
Times
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Media and Marketing
Sex sells - but at what cost?
Sex has long been on the agenda of advertisers with sexual imagery forming the holy grail of advertising and nudity being at the centre of it all. We are constantly bombarded with representations of sexuality, whether it’s a woman lying half-naked and caressing her body, articles on how to make women orgasm or even reality TV stars lounging around a pool. Sex undeniably sells – a lot. It is the most frequently used tool to entice consumers and encourage them to purchase whatever unnecessary item is being sold. So whilst it may seem like we have moved on from the peak of sexual market-
ing in the 60s, we are no further away from it than we are to settling Brexit. Instead, we have just got better at hiding it. What’s the problem? So what. Why does it matter that advertising uses sex to sell products? After all, sexual freedom is too be encouraged, is it not? However, it is precisely the portrayal of sex as something that can be bought that is particularly harmful to women. In a society where women are fighting for equal rights and to be taken seriously by men, the adverting industry continues to perpetuate the oversexualisation of women. The myth that women are objects for male desires and are disposable
like the products being sold.
“The advertising industry continues to perpetuate the over-sexualisation of women.” The ideal woman The manifestation of the perfect woman is heavily embedded within advertising culture. It forms the bedrock of campaigns and is the locus for sexual selling. But what are the main features that define this woman? •
Her bottom is perfectly plump and round
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Her boobs are perfectly
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plump, but not so big as to be defined a back
breakers •
She has a tiny waistline, barely able to hold up her breasts
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Her teeth her perfectly straight and white that she could stop traffic
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Her hair is naturally thick and wavy, so much so that it shines in the light
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She has legs that go on for days and are flawlessly straight
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Her skin is seamless, with not a blemish, spot or wrinkle in sight
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Her eyes are bright and captivating
force the sexualisation of women and idealises the reification of their bodies.” Sexist selling Sexist advertisements that continue to demean and undermine women remain at the centrefold of contemporary advertising. While efforts have been made to try and move on from this, women continue to be perceived as the weaker sex and objects for sexual pleasure. Consider the following:
The advertising industry’s obsession with beauty continues to reinforce the sexualisation of women and idealises the reification of their bodies.”
“The advertising industry’s obsession with beauty continues to rein-
For decades companies have pushed the boat out with raunchy content that is meant to titillate the receiver. However, in doing so advertisements can have the dangerous effect of glorifying the violent exploitation of women. Studies have shown that advertisements containing sex and violence serve to normalise abuse against women and undermine the plight of victims. Two pervasive images of women circulate the media. She is either presented as a temptress that seduces men into sleeping with her or as a submissive, vulnerable female that needs to be dominated and controlled. Both are equally damming and undervalue the right of woman to say no by presenting violence as acceptable. The solution? Undoubtedly, the problem of women’s objectification is ingrained in advertising and more specifically the media itself. It is the media’s responsibility to redress the consequences of sexual selling. Even if receivers can recognise the harmful effects of the sexual campaigns, they cannot on their own eradicate the problem.
Men are taught to desire this woman, while women are taught to emulate her. She is the epitome of female perfection. But, here’s the problem: the representation of this women is highly unrealistic and even dangerous to women everywhere. n fact, this woman doesn’t even exist. She is not real in the slightest. In reality she is the result of hours of makeup, air brushing and filters. Yet, still women are taught that if they purchase the latest product then they can look like her, that they too can look like a computer software version of themselves.
Violence against women
Women are used to sell male products here through the commodification and sexualisation of their bodies. There is no inherent link between ‘Lynx’ antiperspirant, ‘Tom Ford’ perfume’ and women’s bodies, yet advertisers combine the two to spark interest and intrigue in their protect by catching the eye of the male consumer. The adverts present the women as objects for men’s sexual gratification to suggest that in buying this product they too will be sexually rewarded.
“It is the media’s responsibility to redress the consequences of sexual selling.” There is the issue of how much control and power the media has on us. It has the authority to disperse sexual propaganda that is destructive to women and profitable for men. It is clear then that it’s part of the wider problem of society’s inequality between men and women and that the advertising industry plays a part in reshifting this balance. ▪
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Lifestyle
According to research drinking gin can have health benefits. Did someone say gin?
BIDMC have found that gin can help to relieve the pain caused by achy joints, gout and rheumatoid arthritis. Gin soaked raisins are meant to be especially good for reducing inflammation. So alert your nans, as gin may be the answer to all their joint woes. It can help prevent wrinkles
The British nation undoubtedly love gin and even have a day in October dedicated to drinking G&Ts. However, unlike beer, wine and other spirits that are highly calorific and offer no other benefits than giving you the gift of being able to dance (or at least thinking you can), gin is actually good for you (in moderation). So be thankful to be alive during this joyous time and discover the 10 reasons why gin is so in. It’s made from super berries Gin comes from juniper berries which are little dark purple fruits full of infection fighting qualities. This makes them ideal for tackling numerous health conditions, such as the ones identified below. So forget magic beans and get yourself some magic berries instead – or just a glass of gin. It can help fight kidney and liver disease Juniper berries are a natural diuretic which means they help stop water retention in your body and allow more water to pass through you system. This results in more of the harmful toxins and bacteria that you consume when you drink from being flushed out of your system. And if that wasn’t enough, according to ‘GoodtoKnow’, one study found that 'moderate consumption of alcoholic drinks seems to reduce the risks of developing cardiovascular disease, stroke, and cataracts', with gin in particular helping to prevent clogged arteries. It’s good for joint pain
Enough said, I’m sold. Juniper berries are full of antioxidants and can boost the regenerating cells in your body for smoother, healthier looking skin. Who are we to argue with that? It may help ward of malaria If you’re planning on travelling to a country where malaria occurs then you may want to consider drinking a gin and tonic while you’re over there. Historically, gin and tonic was developed back in the 1800s to make quinine more palatable. Quinine was an essential medicine, derived from cinchona bark, that worked to both cure and prevent malaria. So although you should never substitute your malaria tablets for a G&T, it might just be the most suitable beverage option for you on your holidays. It can help fight off coughs The oils in juniper berries can help relieve coughs by ousting the mucus in the throat and aiding lung congestion. Another great thing about gin is that it can be mixed with other herbs and ingredients that can also help soothe a sore throat, such as lemon and ginger. This makes it the perfect tipple for someone struggling with a cold.
only contains traces of sugar which makes it a smart choice if you’re watching your weight but still want to have a drink. It turns out adding lemonade or tonic water are far worse for you than the actual gin itself. So if you can handle it, keep it neat. It can help stop bloating We’ve all had alcohol leave us feel extremely bloated, but gin could actually be the answer to flatter stomachs on a night out. The herbs used to create gin are known for their role in aiding digestion, as they can increase both stomach acid secretions and digestive enzymes which are needed to break down food. It can help you live longer Juniper berries contain flavonoids which can help with blood circulation and aid in preventing heart disease, atherosclerosis and clogged arteries. This in turn could lead to prolonged life and we’ll definitely cheers to that. I’m not saying go and replace your medicine cabinet with bottle of Bombay Sapphire, but rather that if you drink gin in moderation you may begin to notice some of its positive health benefits. So go and grab yourself a glass (or two) and delight in the fact that gin is good for more than just taste and cheers to your health.▪
It’s low in calories If you weren’t already sold then this may be the decider. Unfortunately drinking alcohol inevitably means empty calories, however, drinking gin means you don’t have to watch your waistline. According to Livestrong, gin only contains 97 calories per shot, making it a much lower calorie drink than wine or beer. It’s relatively low in sugar As well as being low in calories, gin
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Lifestyle
Is love dead in 2018? “Nothing says love like a nude on snapchat”
Welcome to dating in
2018. An era that apparently requires you to have zero personality, but a decent knowledge of filters. Why would you need to be funny when you look that good with a crown of flowers or a dog’s tongue? It seems we have waved goodbye to Fererro Roches and flowers and can instead be expected to wait around for late night invites to a Netflix and not so chilled one. Take it from someone who has dabbled in the questionable art of Tinder and who has been asked (more than I would care to admit) to send nudes. These days, who can honestly say they haven’t been undergassed by Tinder? That’s right, raise a hand if you have been personally victimised by Tinder? It’s crawling with fuckboys who will, most of the time, skip introductions and cut straight to the part where they ask if you’re down for threesomes.
It’s a full-on shit storm of crude one-liners, innuendos and sexting. It’s a wonder these boys ever actually get laid. Admittedly, us girls have our own issues when it comes to dating, but it’s hard to imagine any female sparking up a conversation with an opening line about shagging the hairdresser. But what’s most disappointing about the way dating is going, is arguably how much emphasis there is on image. Tinder, Bumble, Grindr… they all encourage vanity and debase the im-
portance of actually getting to know someone before you decide whether there’s an attraction. If someone’s fit, you’ll swipe right. Never mind the misspelt bio that briefly, but effectively confirms they are tragic. The modern scene of dating we’re accustomed with seems worlds away from that of the past. Gone are the days of waltzing in the street. Now you’re lucky if you don’t get some handsy creep leeching on to you in hopes of a grind. Gone are the long, heartfelt letters. Now it’s just dodgy DMs. Face it, technology has completely warped our
perceptions of romance. We’re living in a world where we are more virtually sexually experienced than we are in the actual bedroom. The element of surprise just doesn’t exist anymore. You know exactly what you’re getting as soon as he’s asked if ur out 2night? Sexting is just something we don’t question anymore. If they’re into it, surely you should be too?
“The element of surprise just doesn’t exist anymore. “ So not only do we see all their bits and pieces virtually, but a rise in social media now means we can stalk whoever we might be looking to date all the way back to 2007 when they wore fingerless gloves to under 18 nights. From his ex-girlfriends, to that lad’s holiday in Zante, we can see it all, which means there’s just another excuse for us to be shallow. We’re turning people down before we’ve even met them, and all because they have an album on Facebook titled ‘webcam picz’. Essentially, dating these days is tricky and a bit shit. That is unless you’re down for a threesome with the hairdresser or simply “looking for some fun :)”. ▪
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Film
I, Tonya is an immensely gripping portrayal of a true story I, Tonya is a remarkably tragic and simultaneously comic interlude into the life of a misunderstood character. This intriguing postmodern tale of the Famous Us figure skater, Tonya Harding, is sharp-witted, punchy and perfectly nuisances the line between satire and sympathy. It’s a controversial biopic into the turbulent past of Tonya Harding – a figure skater that is famous for all the wrong reasons. Through its wild exploration of the events leading up to 1994 Olympic Games, where Kerrigan was mercilessly ambushed, it effortlessly captures the zeal of the underprivileged and wrongfully targeted working class by embedding Tonya as “a real person who never apologised for growing up poor and being a redneck.” Tonya Harding, played by the
astounding Margot Robbie, is an outsider from Portland who had a talent for figure skating and running her mouth off. Harding, who enrolled in figure skating at the age of four and eventually dropped out of school to pursue it, is presented as vehemently dedicated and displaying astonishing talent. She eventually went on to become the 1991 and 1994 U.S champion. However, she became entangled in controversy when at an Olympic qualifying event a man - who was later revealed to be hired by Tonya’s husband, Jeff Gillooly, and her body guard, Shawn Eckhardt bashed in one of the knee caps of Nancy Kerrigan, Harding’s antithesis and fiercest competition. It was a massive media spectacle and ended with the imploding of Tonya’s career, so it is no wonder that the story continues to resonate with a modern audience. Publicising itself as “irony free, wildly contradictory, totally true
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interviews with Tonya Harding and Jeff Gillooly”, it’s filtered from an array of conflicting narratives that recall the catastrophic events that made history. However, Margot Robbie takes centre stage in this bleak comedy drama with her original and plucky portrayal of this sporting personality, which defies conventions by being both loved and hated and a victim and villain. We never lose sight of Tonya’s tenacity and status as a fighter as she undergoes a series of abusive relationships and still manages to remain fearless. Yet, who can ignore the performance of Tonya’s mum, played by Oscar-winning Allison Janney, whose acid tongue is both shocking and amusing.
“Margot Robbie takes centre stage in this bleak comedy drama” The soundtrack has been
meticulously chosen to offer moments of comic relief during the more serious scenes and strikes a resonating cord with that of the Oscar nominated ‘Baby Driver’. One moment stands out as the Bees Jees ‘how can you mend a broken heart’ plays as Tonya has just been shot by Jeff, an event that should be deeply disturbing, but instead manages to have a humours result. Despite this, it’s easy to pity Tonya because as someone who craves love and affection she instead settles for violence and cruelty. But does it glamorise Tonya Harding’s misfortune and forget about the actual victim that is Nancy Kerrigan? Tonya’s involvement in the incident is still debated today, but producers leave it up to the audience to decide what actually happened. All that can be said for sure is that, like the anticipated triple-axel jump, it doesn’t disappoint.▪
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Film
What I wish I’d known before I became a lover of rom coms Like many women, and even men, I’m stuck in the crux of being a rom com addict and evaluating my life against every chick flick I’ve ever seen, which – by the way – is a lot. Sadly, the implausible plots, unrealistic endings and unachievable romances perpetuate the myth of love that only leads to disappoint in the real world. They create an element of delusion whether we are aware of it or not. The love portrayed is heart racing, soul consuming and fantastically epic. It is not in the least attainable. However, we’re made to believe
that because the protagonist is a bit awkward like us that it is probable. In reality, some flawless, six-foot something, ripped man is not going to fall madly in love with me and be gifted in the art of mind reading. Love is far more confusing, awkward and messier in real life than the movies have us believe. Chances are the person you’ll fall in love with will be exceptionally ordinary, but that is not a bad thing, rather, it is realistic. From a young age we were subjected to this notion of perfect love, whether it was Disney, High-School Musical or Angus Thongs and Perfect Snogging, they made us feel like we need-
ed a relationship and that the relationship had to be perfect. One moment sticks out vividly in my head of this. It was the evening that my boyfriend of 3 and half years had broken up with me and who happens to come on the TV – Bridget Jones. Don’t get me wrong, I love Bridget. She doesn’t conform to the expected female image, she’s plucky and the moment she declares that she would rather wipe Saddam Hussein’s arse than work with Daniel Cleaver is iconic. However, at the pivotal moment where she starts singing ‘All By Myself’, I felt panicked, worried and even stressed that I would
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never fall in love again. Let me add I was 19. 19 years old and I was concerned that I would never find love again, concerned I’d be labelled a spinster and left attending a turkey curry buffet on my own, wearing a jumper knitted by my mum. So why is it that rom coms project this image that we need a man, that in order to achieve self-fulfilment that we need to have a boyfriend. It’s harmful to girls’ self -images to think that they can’t be happy if they are on their own. So why don’t we just watch something else? We know it’s not right to crave this perfected version of love and become infatuated with it, but the plots are comforting and predictable which makes binge watching them so simple. So, is it really that surprising that we compare the person sitting next to us, who hasn’t bought us flowers since Valentine’s Day, to the on-screen hunk.
I for one know I’m still waiting for my own Andrew Lincoln to turn up to my house with placards, for hot men to fight over me while ‘It’s raining men’ plays in the background and for me to get all close and sweaty with a hot dance instructor. But, in reality if we look at some of these moments they are inherently creepy. Take Andrew Lincoln’s character – Mark – who, in reality, is a creepy stalker that pursues his best friend’s wife and films her in secret. We rationalise dangerous behaviour because it’s done on the grounds of love. Christian Grey is another prime example. His wealth and handsome charm defer from the fact that he has severe psychological problems that he takes out on Anastasia Steele by hitting her with a belt. It’s important that we understand the distinction between film and us so we don’t try and internalise what we see on screen. We need to remember that they don’t include the boring stuff, we shouldn’t expect our partner to know what we want without telling them and that men and women really can just be friends. It may be too late for me, but take rom coms with a pinch of salt before you start comparing yourself and your relationship to them. ▪
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Winnie Harlow at the Cartier after-party
Freida Pinto at the Cartier after-party
Emily Ratajkowski at the daily front row’s 4th annual fashion Los Angles awards in Beverly Hills
L U In
This months best d
Naomi Harris wears Schiaparelli Haute couture at the rampage premiere in Shanghai
Lily James attends ‘The Guernsey Literary And Potato Peel Pie Society’ world premiere in bespoke Emilia Wickstead
Chrissy Teigen attends the daily front row 4th annual 20 fashion awards in LA
Letitia Wright attends the UK fan event for ‘Avengers nfinity War’ in London
Sienna Miller at the Cartier after-party
Phoebe Waller Bridge wears a pink Hellessy suit to the ‘Killing Eve’ premiere at Cannes
dressed Celebrities
Sandra Oh at the Cannes premiere of ‘Killing Eve’ wearing Simone Rocha
Jessica Brown Findlay attends ‘The Guernsey Literary And Potato Peel Pie Society’ world premiere wearing a Vivienne Westwood couture gown
Bella Hadid at a Tag Heuer 21 event
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Society
It would be much better if everyone was a feminist T he F-word
I’m tired and utterly exhausted of having the continued debate of why feminism is for everyone. Feminism remains to be labelled a dirty word and treated as a worthless endeavour by silly women who want to bash on men. The movement is continually trivialised and earmarked as a crusade by forceful, butch, bra-burning women. According to a survey carried out by the women’s rights charity, The Fawcett Society, despite 78% of young people supporting equality of opportunity, 10% of men and 11% of women think feminism has “gone too far” and are opposed to it. Additionally, a 2015 poll found that only 18% of Americans consider themselves feminists, while 85% reported they believe in equality for men and women. There persists to be a contradiction between our commitment to equality and our distaste for the word. The word itself is unpopular, with 19% of people thinking it is an insult. So why do only a minority of people identify themselves with the feminist label? Much of the difficulty arises because so many people don’t know what feminism really is. So, it is worth defining it so that we can become educated on what it entails and dismantle the current understanding of the word. Feminism is the advocacy of women's rights on the ground of the equality of the sexes. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines feminism as “The theory of political, economic, and social equality of the sexes.” At its core it’s about equality. This means obtaining the same rights for men and women.
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That is being equal in status, laws and opportunities. There are of course different branches of feminism, such as liberal, Marxist and radical feminists, but central to each of these is the belief that women are entitled to the same privileges as men and have freedom of choice. Fundamentally, it is that women are not limited in their rights so that they are not prevented from making their own decisions. However, despite these definitions, many misconceptions continue to enshroud feminism and make people reluctant to associate themselves with the label. We’re mistakenly clouded by the perception that to be a feminist you must hate men. Yet, this is not what feminism is about. You can still love men and be a feminist. Anyone who believes in male bashing is not a feminist, rather, they are a
misandrist. The belief that only women can be feminists has been wrongfully distributed for so long now that men are still wary to openly identify as feminists. Research by YouGov shows that only 27% of men consider themselves feminists, despite 81% agreeing that men and women should be equal. When asked why they didn’t identify as feminists many replied, “because I am a man”, believing that “to have feminist views you have to be female” and that “it is always associated with women.” The fact that men feel that they are unable to be advocates of female power, simply because they are men, illustrates the importance of changing how we perceive gender. The importance of feminism in our society for men and women. People also frequently say, “I am not a feminist because I believe in the rights of men”. So, let’s get one thing clear - equal rights do not
mean fewer rights for men. Feminism has done much to recognise the legal rights of men, as well as women. It has: Changed the definition of rape. It caused the FBI to change the definition of rape, in 2012, to include the suffering of men, so that male rape and sexual assault would be taken seriously. Increased paternity leave. Feminists have petitioned to increase the amount of paternity leave available to men after the birth of their children. They have advocated that men should be allocated at least a month off after the baby has been born. This proposed policy change would help to tackle the gender pay gap and change cultural attitudes towards the rearing of children. It would enable fathers to play a more active role
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Society
“Feminism is for everyone but, while we continue to treat is a dirty word and frame it as being anti-men, we cannot challenge the injustice and
in the early stages of childcare and eliminate the sole burden from women.
Given men more reproductive control. Although women face the biological task of pregnancy, the legalisation of abortion has meant that both men and women now have a choice. Most people perceive feminism as being only concerned with the liberation of women when, in fact, it has monumental effects on men as well. Feminism isn’t just about women. It’s about breaking gender roles that are harmful to both men and women and allowing people to have the freedom to be who they want to be. For people not to be defined in terms of their gender. Men are expected to uphold masculine values of strength and control and are taught that they mustn’t cry if they wish to be perceived
as powerful. Yet, just as qualities of femininity are harmful to women, the stereotype of hegemonic masculinity sanctions male behaviour and offers cultural consequences to those who don’t adhere to it. Significantly, male suicide is the biggest killer of men under 45. Society fears men to be seen as vulnerable or weak, so much so that the stigma surrounding male depression forces it to become a taboo subject. However, feminism can directly challenge the expectations of men and women and empower them to reject conventional oppressive standards. We need feminism, as there is yet to be equality between the sexes. Women remain disadvantaged in nearly all aspects of life. In the UK two women are killed per week by a current or former partner, 1 in 6 women will be raped in their life-
time and women face a glasscelling and discrimination at work, with 11% of mothers reporting that they were forced to quit their jobs after having a baby. Feminism is for everyone but, while we continue to treat is a dirty word and frame it as being anti-men, we cannot challenge the injustice and discrimination that exists. We shouldn’t be afraid of the word and instead should put our efforts into challenging the stigma that is attached to it. So, it’s time that everyone gets behind the movement, as it is needed now as much as ever. Gender equality is a man’s fight too and without them we cannot achieve emancipation. I am a feminist and I implore you all to be one.
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Fiction
The New York Times Best Sellers — February 4, 2018 Combined print and E-book
CITY OF ENDLESS NIGHT
by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child A New York City detective and an F.B.I. special agent track down a killer who decapitates numerous
LITTLE FIRES EVERYWHERE
by Celeste Ng An artist upends a quiet town outside Cleveland.
THE WOMAN IN THE WINDOW
by A.J. Finn A recluse who drinks heavily and takes prescription drugs may have witnessed a crime across from her Harlem town-
IRON GOLD
by Pierce Brown The fourth book of the Red Rising Saga. A hero of the revolution finds his fate tied up with others as the war continues.
ORIGIN
by Dan Brown A symbology professor goes on a perilous quest with a beautiful museum director.
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Celebrity culture
Pregnant princess: Anna finally confirms baby rumours in an Instagram post The Princess of Arendelle, 24, has finally confirmed her pregnancy with Kristoff, 26, after months of pregnancy speculation, by showing off her baby bump on Instagram. She took to Instagram on March 13th to finally put the rumours to bed and share the news that “her greatest dreams have been realised.” In the post, she rejoiced in saying “we’re having a baby” and spoke of her joy at finding out by declaring “I want to share our happiness with you.” After that, her attention quickly turned to Kristoff, adopted father of Olaf, as she delighted in saying “I thank you the most for making me a mother. You have given me the greatest gift of all and I cannot wait to share this next chapter with you.” She also apologised to her fans and following for not letting them know sooner, claiming “I apologise for keeping this private. We wanted to enjoy this privately between family and friends for as long as we could.
To enjoy the first precious moments just us.”
she was using hormone therapy to try and help her get pregnant.
She finished by saying that she is “thankful, nervous, excited and overjoyed”, but that she “can’t wait to experience it all.”
However, she called off their relationship, two years ago, after finding out that he had been plotting to kill Elsa and using her to steal the throne. The ex-couple are no longer in correspondence, however, a spokesperson for Hans told medium that he is pleased for Anna and Kristoff and wishes them all the best.
The photo quickly racked up millions of likes with Cinderella, Snow white and Rapunzel all being amongst the likers. The pair have been only been dating for 8 months, however, a source close to the family has said that they are inseparable and spend every day together. The pregnancy has set tongues wagging with there now being talks of a white wedding, with Olaf as pageboy. Anna, who is the youngest sister to Queen Elsa and her only living relative, previously struggled with fertility problems during her relationship with Hans. During a royal interview she told viewers that she had a low follicle count that may make conceiving difficult and that
Queen Elsa has also given her approval, despite it putting pressure on her to find a partner and provide and heir. This news comes after Belle and The Beast announced that they are having twins last month.
Pregnant princess cradles her bump on Instagram
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Digital culture
‘Social Media is for Idiots’ – a mentality for people who don’t know how to use it. The time has come. We are now in the internet age. Long gone is face-to-face communication; it has now been replaced by a convenient little button, used to access our every need. But is this age really as bad as society would have us belief? Sure, we all use it. But that doesn’t stop the media from constantly telling us that it is bad for us, that we are living in a digital dystopia. We’ve become so obsessed with celebrity culture, followers and likers that we’ve forgotten what a positive platform this global phenomena can be. So, I think it is about time that we reclaim social media and a make it great again. Particularly
as it really is one of the best resources we have. Social media connects people One of the most obvious reasons many people get social media in the first place is that it is a fantastic linking network. However, it seems nearly all of us have become so obsessed with the next Kardashian baby, how to look like a beauty vlogger and the lives of love islanders that this has become completely overlooked. There is no greater annoyance than when someone who knows you doesn’t follow you back and continues to tweet celebrities and like their Insta posts, despite never having met them. Our version of connection has become distorted. We should be more concerned with
the lives of people around us and following worthwhile accounts that will actually connect us to inspiring people, rather than the façade of celebrities who air brush their pictures and don’t even look themselves (looking at you Kim K). Which leads on to my next point. We have control of the button One of the most valid arguments against social media is how it encourages us to post an ideal version of ourselves that has been meticulously edited so that it is free of imperfection, all because celebrity accounts appear so flawless. Whilst I can recognise this and am not completely oblivious to it, we seem to forget that, as a society, we have control of this. Just as ‘fake news’
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circles the media and we don’t believe everything we read, ‘fake news’ is a prominent aspect of our social media accounts. We chose to give Kim Kardashian 107 million followers, no one held a gun to our head and shouted “you must like latest selfie”. So it’s time that we start remembering that there is no rule on social media that we must look like the people we follow, that our happiness rests on how many likers and followers we have. We’ve forgotten that social media is meant to be autonomous and self-governing. So maybe it is time that we click unfollow on those accounts that make us self-objectify ourselves and regain our social media independence. It’s an avenue for frustration and awareness One of the things I love about Twitter is the fact that it is doesn’t discriminate against users. Anyone can have an account, be they trans, gay, lesbian, bisexual, white, black, male or female. You name it. Everyone is allowed
a voice. It gives minority groups a place to raise awareness and help others suffering from similar issues. It’s been an incredibly empowering tool as by giving these groups a sense of community it’s helped them to stop feeling disconnected and alone and become part of an inclusive group. Also, it’s a fantastic place if you just want to rant about how much you despise Donald Trump.
It provides real-time news updates Immediate news updates are needed more now than ever after terrorism seems to have reached an all-time high. Social media has accelerated the access of news and means that we now don’t have to wait for the scheduled news programmes that may just be too late in a crisis. Twitter came to the rescue in the Manchester terrorist attack, as thousands of people took to twitter to offer help and rooms
to those that had been impacted.
It’s useful for opportunities Social media is a great resource for learning and education, as services such as LinkedIn have increased the networking possibilities between employers and employees. We really are living in an era where anything is possible. Want to tweet an employer? You can. Want to follow a renowned business account? Go ahead. You can even watch YouTube videos on next to anything, which means we are no longer limited by our own imaginations. So, it’s time we stopped scapegoating social media and realised that it is our consumer culture of social media that needs to change. After all, social media isn’t idiotic, our attitudes are. ▪
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“It is about time that we reclaim social media and a make it great again. Particularly as it really is one of the best resources we have.”
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