Analysis of Genders in Media
Introduction
There is a great relationship between media and gender, which influences how media platforms present the issue of .genders. Such platforms include social media platforms, television, and films. The media reports on current events and also mobilize people with regards to different issues. Therefore, the media plays an essential role in promoting gender inequality and influences the representation of women and men in society. This paper aims to examine how the media affects the issue of self-esteem, discuss why the issue is such a problem, explore other issues that may arise from self-confidence, and finally, how self-esteem can be addressed.
The issue of self-esteem
The world of media displays specific impossibly high standards and makes people believe that that is the new norm and is how things should be.
Everyone faces scrutiny and has unfair generalizations; however, the scrutiny is more in women than in men. Men get recognized for their humor, athletic skills, outspokenness, etc. Women are expected to excel in their cuteness, beauty, and sexiness at a much higher level. The media advertises and surrounds us with the ideal female beauty; this results in women spending lots of time and money to achieve the “perfect” look and feel ashamed when they fail. Nowadays, in the advertising industry, the female body has been turned into things and objects; this dehumanizes the person and can affect their self-esteem and create a base for violence against women.
Problems arising from the issue of self-esteem
Often the society we live in emphasizes physical perfection, and this has put a lot of pressure on young girls and women and has made them oversensitive about their looks. Some have sought to body surgery to enhance beauty and looks. The operations are chemically induced and can, therefore, have diverse effects on the bodies, where also some can be life threatening. Also, there is an epidemic of eating disorders as thin and slender women are considered more beautiful and sexier. Therefore, some women practice dangerous dieting methods. For example, a Brazilian model by the name Ana Carolina died as a result of anorexia. At the moment of her death, she only weighed 40kg.
How can the issue of self-esteem be addressed?
The first step is to create awareness and recognize that self-esteem issue is a public health problem and that it affects everyone. Self-esteem starts from an individual level, that is, how we feel about ourselves, moreover it also comes from people, things like the media which are present in our lives and they have a way of influencing us. Therefore, we should strive for positivity in all areas and feel that we are desirable and good enough just the way we are. Also, there is a need to develop initiatives and allocate enough resources to promote gender equality and reinforce women’s empowerment in society.
Conclusion
The paper has analyzed gender in media, and one of the essential issues discussed is self-esteem. Self-esteem is more relevant in women as society has set specific standards that a woman must have and achieve. Some of the problems associated with self-esteem have also been examined; they include body surgery and eating disorders. Self-esteem issues should be taken heavily, and everyone has a role to play, from parents, teachers to the media industry.