Last week, I had the opportunity to sit down with the Body Acceptance Movement President, Megan Carrasco for the Her Campus Celeb of the week. Wednesday, October 15th, the Body Acceptance Movement and the Women’s Center hosted a screening of Miss Representation in the Kent State Kiva. Miss Representation is a film that was created by Jennifer Siebel Newsome, who believes media is creating a society where people believe “that a woman’s primary value lies in her beauty, her sexuality, her youth.” Miss Representation highlights the tough realities of being a woman in today’s media consumed society. The Miss Representation organization states that this film “exposes how mainstream media contribute to the under-representation of women in psotitions of power and influence in America. The film challenges the media’s limited and often disparaging portrayals of women and girls, which make it difficult for women to achieve leadership positions for the average woman to feel powerful herself.”
This is the preview for Miss Representation:
http://therepresentationproject.org/films/miss-representation/
Below are statistics that were included in the film and Her Campus’ reactions. These statistics can be found on thepresentationproject.org and are all featured in the film:
“It’s estimated that there is somewhere north of 1 billion people who use the Internet every single day.”
SHOCKING! Not really though, we’re the google generation and we are truly obsessed with all things social media whether it be Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram or Facebook. Our eyes are constantly glued to our smart phones, ipads and laptops.
“53% of 13-year-old girls are unhappy with their bodies. That number increases to 78% by age 17.”
In just 4 years that number jumps 25%. It’s during high school years when girls feel the most pressure to meet the impossible standards that are set forth by the media.
“65% of US women and girls report disordered eating behaviors.”
Whether it be anorexia, bulimia, orthorexia or binge eating the number is unfortunately high.
“It is estimated that out of the 8 million people with an eating disorder 7 of those million are women.”
And that is heart breaking.
“Depression in women has doubled since 1970 U.S advertisers spent billion in 2009. 80% of the countries in the world have GDP’s less than that.”
Mass media has distorted the image of women into sexualized objects, and has redefined beauty into photo-shopped masterpieces that consequently lead to eating disorders, low self-esteem and the dehumanization and violence towards women. From billboards, to magazines, to television the effects of these advertisments are negatively impacting women. Thankfully, some companies such as Dove and Aerie have launched positive campaigns to increase women’s self esteem and change society’s point of view about a woman’s appearance.
“More than 20% of teens in the US have sex before the age of 14.”
Speaking of toxic, have you seen Britney Spears’ music video, Toxic? It just so happens to be the perfect example of hyper-sexualization.
“Studies prove exposures to sexually explicit video games and music videos is linked to men’s acceptance of rape myths and sexual harassment.”
According to Jean Kilbourne, these kind of sexually explicit video games and music videos objectify women and once a person is objectified it makes it easier to inflict violence on them.
“1 in 6 women are survivors of rape or attempted rape.”
If you haven’t seen Jackson Katz’s Ted talk “Violence against women-it’s a men’s issue” watch it here: http://www.ted.com/talks/jackson_katz_violence_against_women_it_s_a_men_s_issue#t-319233
According to U.S College rankings, Kent State has a 59% to 41% female to male ratio. Women make up more than half of our campus and have the opportunity to raise awareness about important issues. To get involved on campus and learn more about some of the issues Miss Representation confronts join an organization like the Body Acceptance Movement or Students Against Sexual Assault. You never know the difference you could make. The Miss Representation screening on Kent’s campus last week was inspiring, motivational and uplifting. This documentary goes on the Her Campus must see list.