The Merchants of Cool
In in the film Merchants of Cool, they touched on how the media can shape our lifestyles, with the example of the "mook" and "midriff" way of living. The "mook" appeals to teenage boys, and encourages inappropriate and honestly gross behavior. The "midriff" is aimed at teenage girls, and portrays women only as a sexual object, making girls feel they must act this way.
Today, I can still find TV shows and media portraying similar norms to teenagers. Even though it has improved, women are still very sexualized, and our appearances are still vital when being judged on the media. I feel the "mook" way of life has died down a bit, but many forms of advertising and TV shows still show men and boys acting in generally inappropriate ways.
I feel that a lot of awareness has spread as a result of media, which has led the over-sexualization of women to become less common. Many women have taken to social media to stand up against the stereotypes that for so long have shaped others and our own perceptions of ourselves. When all of the women on TV and in advertisements are objectified, it is hard to see yourself as anything more than your appearance. It is funny to me that the thing that initially made the objectification and sexualization of women so bad was eventually used to knock it down. It is ok for women to empower themselves through their sexuality, but when a man makes a decision for a woman to be overly sexual, then there is a problem.
Modelling and that the TV industry have become significantly more inclusive, which makes the media a much more positive place for women. It is not frequent we see an unnaturally edited photo or a large group of extremely skinny girls. But, now there are people of all shapes, sizes, colors, and lifestyles. On TV, women aren't seen as just bodies or there to help men, but have been given complex characters with empowering roles.
Men are usually allowed exceptions for improper behavior, but when the "mook" lifestyle first took to the media, it become heavily encouraged among teenage boys. Now, I don't see as heavy of an encouragement as the movie showed, but there is still a immaturity expected of teenage boys, that is often time excused. I don't think this is as heavily impacted by the media, but rather their own personal development and natural immaturity.
I also feel men's perception of women has also increased due to the increase of desexualizing women. I have come across many teenage guys who are politically active and take to social media to share, not only to talk about gross things. This change in the media, I believe, is also helping men mature quicker than when the "mook" was being portrayed.
I believe that this media climate has greatly improved from what is was 5 or 10 years ago. Now, it has become much more inclusive and less negative than what it was before. I feel it is a place where everyone can be included, and no longer portrays one or two ways you have to live.
Today, I can still find TV shows and media portraying similar norms to teenagers. Even though it has improved, women are still very sexualized, and our appearances are still vital when being judged on the media. I feel the "mook" way of life has died down a bit, but many forms of advertising and TV shows still show men and boys acting in generally inappropriate ways.
I feel that a lot of awareness has spread as a result of media, which has led the over-sexualization of women to become less common. Many women have taken to social media to stand up against the stereotypes that for so long have shaped others and our own perceptions of ourselves. When all of the women on TV and in advertisements are objectified, it is hard to see yourself as anything more than your appearance. It is funny to me that the thing that initially made the objectification and sexualization of women so bad was eventually used to knock it down. It is ok for women to empower themselves through their sexuality, but when a man makes a decision for a woman to be overly sexual, then there is a problem.
Modelling and that the TV industry have become significantly more inclusive, which makes the media a much more positive place for women. It is not frequent we see an unnaturally edited photo or a large group of extremely skinny girls. But, now there are people of all shapes, sizes, colors, and lifestyles. On TV, women aren't seen as just bodies or there to help men, but have been given complex characters with empowering roles.
Men are usually allowed exceptions for improper behavior, but when the "mook" lifestyle first took to the media, it become heavily encouraged among teenage boys. Now, I don't see as heavy of an encouragement as the movie showed, but there is still a immaturity expected of teenage boys, that is often time excused. I don't think this is as heavily impacted by the media, but rather their own personal development and natural immaturity.
I also feel men's perception of women has also increased due to the increase of desexualizing women. I have come across many teenage guys who are politically active and take to social media to share, not only to talk about gross things. This change in the media, I believe, is also helping men mature quicker than when the "mook" was being portrayed.
I believe that this media climate has greatly improved from what is was 5 or 10 years ago. Now, it has become much more inclusive and less negative than what it was before. I feel it is a place where everyone can be included, and no longer portrays one or two ways you have to live.
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