Needs assesment

There are multiple forms of media dangled in front of our faces everyday, from newspapers to magazines, and TVs to computers. Every where ones looks there are images for things we “need”, we must have. People we should know, admire and aspire to be. There is no way for people to not look at the images that mainstream media plasters all over our lives. Images of woman are common for selling a multitude of products but what are the images really telling society. Do these images effect societies views of women? These images are mostly of white, skinny models selling sex as a phone or jeans or car. However, these images are also selling an unrealistic and sometimes unhealthy ideal women. My question is how do these media images effect the social and gender roles of minority women?

Any women and look around and see what the media has deemed a desirable woman. And most women well tell about their struggle to conform to this ideal. But how does this really effect a minority woman. I can to this question by thinking of my own experiences with society and media images. I am a white woman but I am also a minority because of my sexuality. I struggled much of my teen years with not working into the media and societal norms of a woman and what to see how other minority women are affected.

This is a significant topic because there are constant images of ideal woman that girls are exposed to that have serious effects on their self image. Even adult women still deal with image and self esteem issues because of the continued pressure for normalcy. Really, when was the last time we heard of a celebrity not losing weight and being praised? These are ideals that are constantly plaguing women.

With my studies in sociology I have an understand of social ideals and influences that effect peoples lives and point of view. With my studies in Women’s Studies I have learned how to understand these social ideals and influences for their patriarchal roots. There is no way to discuss social and gender roles in society and their effects with out discussing women and the lack of a woman view in societal norms.