Don't Discourage... Encourage!

The way women are portrayed in the media is totally wrong. Women are not just beautiful, dumb, attention-seeking boy-toys. The media teaches girls that their worth lies on the surface. In the film, Miss Representation, this fact was brought to attention with an aim to change the image of women. Even though this film is six years old, all of these points still applied. I think that people realize this fact, and always have. Nothing in the media is done on purpose. 

Now, I keep seeing jokes and "memes" on social media platforms that make jokes out of the hardships that women face in the media or how silly feminism is. I think our youth is so "emotionally constipated" that whenever we see something that doesn't sit well with us, we decide to laugh it away. We are so afraid of feelings because the media has set certain standards (for boys especially). That's why there are so many comedy accounts on Instagram and other applications. It's a distraction and wall that can take away any real emotion we may feel. 

Not only are these accounts hiding our emotions, but they are telling us what to feel. We follow these accounts that have a certain reputation in our heads, and when that account posts something, we listen. We listen and like and let those feelings and comments become our own. 

The statistics shown in the film were truly frightening. However, I don't know if it is the media keeping women down, or women themselves. When a woman begins to become successful, there is always another woman behind her back whispering and criticizing her fame. Jealousy really is a disease! Perhaps it is the influence of the media that causes this, because of all the "fun" catfights we see on TV, or the drama shows that constantly absorb us. Whatever the cause, it is undeniably evident that women and the biggest haters of women. At the very least, people can stop talking about hardworking people as if success is a bad thing.