Finding Myself

School is almost back in session for most people…but me.  Since graduating University in June i’ve been doing a lot of thinking about where I need to be and how to get there.  But as the summer has gone on i’ve realized that I feel like i’m in a race with so many other people to see who can get a job first, who can move out of their parents house first, and who can get married first and it’s not a good feeling.  I was freaking out about getting a supply teaching job but the more I think about it the more I wonder why i’m worrying.  Yes, some of my friends already have a “grown up” job waiting for them when the school year starts and some don’t.  I’m starting to realize that it’s okay to take a break from school.  School has been my whole life (like most people) and as soon as you’re done it’s a confusing time.  The 20s are a tough age because everyone is trying to find themselves and people are at different stages.

One of my best friends just moved to England to pursue her teaching career. As happy as I am for her i’m a little bit jealous and can’t help asking myself if I should have done the same thing.  I’ve decided to start some hobbies to try to keep my mind off the fact that everything is changing.  I’ve started a dot journal where I can record anything I want in it and make it my own.  It’s a creative way to keep memories and pictures that doesn’t take long to do.  I’ve realized I need to start finding the positive things in life so that I can remind myself that I have a purpose for what i’m doing.  So this journey called life is long and complicated and exciting and unknown and I just got to keep doing the best I can and know that everything will work out in the long run.

Until next time,

Danica

Like most teenagers, I always accepted media portrayal of women at face value.  Part of me watched and listened critically to many forms of media as I grew up, but for the most part I didn’t question the images of women that I was bombarded with.  Through my research I realized that the image of women accepted by our society is connected to the relationship between gender and geography.  The concepts of the body and spatiality are key components in the images and the power of the images that we see in media.

Spatiality

Because of geographical constraints on the body, women may feel that they don’t belong on beaches or anywhere they’re judged for their body.  A person’s body image can affect their self-esteem and make them feel that they do not belong in certain spaces in our society.  For example, a woman might hesitate to go to a fitness centre because society, through the media, makes her feel that she is not an acceptable size to be out in public.

Even women who are a healthy weight and size may feel scrutinized and embarrassed of their bodies because of media standards.  Media places pressure on women to have control of their bodies and limits the spaces where they feel accepted.

Killing Us Softly – Documentary

The documentary was first released in 1979 and has since has been updated and re-released several times, most recently in 2010, with added and revised footage and commentary.  The documentary focuses on images of women in advertising, in particular on gender stereotypes, the effects of advertising on women’s self image and the objectification of women’s bodies.

“Plus Size” Bikini Model

The media image of female beauty does not accurately reflect the reality of the diversity of real women’s bodies.   The focus in the media on physical appearance promotes the idea that a woman’s outward appearance defines her worth.  Female gender norms often focus on a “skinny, white female” image of beauty that is unrealistic and unattainable for most women.

This model is portrayed as a “plus size” model although she just looks like a healthy women with curves.

This woman looks healthy and beautiful, but the media would have us believe that she is larger then the ideal standard for women.

Bikini Models and Magazine Covers

Stereotypes of femininity suggest that women cannot be feminine, strong and competitive at the same time.  Because of this, “masculine” sports (like hockey) tend to discriminate against women.  Sexualized images of women athletes focus on the physical appearance of women rather than their skills.  This very slender model is on the cover of Sports Illustrated.

These “thinness fantasies” and images can lower woman’s body-related esteem, and may not give healthy, long-term weight management guidance.

“Women’s personal and intimate experiences are an integral part of politics and political”.   People’s bodies are themselves political, for example, the oppression of women because they are considered to be sexualized objects.  The ideals of hegemonic femininity as portrayed in the image of female beauty shown in the media reduces women’s power

Women are given an unrealistic image of what they should look like.

#thinspiration

The advertisements that fall under the category of “Thinspiration” are associated with eating disorders. Some of the “well-seeming” images of so-called “fit” women’s bodies are actually harmful images because they can make women feel inadequate, and ashamed of their bodies.  This is linked to the geographical concept of the body and how it holds meaning.

#thinspiration meaning that women are inspired to work out and barely eat any food to get to the “ideal” body weight that is valued by our society.

difference between thinspo and fitspo

Ted Talk – Why Thinking You’re Ugly is Bad For You

https://www.ted.com/talks/meaghan_ramsey_why_thinking_you_re_ugly_is_bad_for_you

About 10,000 people a month Google the phrase, “Am I ugly?” Meaghan Ramsey of the Dove Self-Esteem Project has a feeling that many of them are young girls. In a deeply unsettling talk, she walks us through the surprising impacts of low body and image confidence—from lower grade point averages to greater risk-taking with drugs and alcohol. And then shares the key things all of us can do to disrupt this reality.

Ted Talk – Looks Aren’t Everything. Believe Me I’m a Model.

https://www.ted.com/talks/cameron_russell_looks_aren_t_everything_believe_me_i_m_a_model#t-270144

Cameron Russell admits she won “a genetic lottery”: she’s tall, pretty and an underwear model. But don’t judge her by her looks. In this fearless talk, she takes a wry look at the industry that had her looking highly seductive at barely 16 years old.

#fitspiration for men

The focus on physical appearance in the media overlooks important things like intelligence and other strengths that people can have.  It is also important for young teenagers to consider how inaccurate and harmful the media’s image of female beauty can be to the identities of men (who are also subject to heteronormative standards) and all people of diverse racial and cultural backgrounds, sexualities and ableness.  The media is powerful because it can affect the dynamics of gender relations, socio-spatial relations and identities through their representations.  

Before and after picture of a man who has gotten more fit.