The media displays the ideal. The ideal is a sexually open powerful woman; in charge of her own sexuality and the urge and ability to shout it from the rooftops, no apologies, and no fear of judgment. This is the image society is eating up through tv, movies, magazine ads and the like, however, this image is only acceptable though these outlets. It is becoming a stand-in for reality. What happens when this idea of femininity steps out of the TV and into the regular public- out of the living room and into reality? Will the public react the same way, accepting that this is the perpetuated norm of femininity? Or will they view it as inappropriate, unneeded and unwelcome. The more society consumes this image, the more it will become the norm within the designated outlets, however, if you step outside of these outlets, the idea of woman as product of entertainment seems foreign, aggressive and unwelcome. This supports the idea that woman as product is even more widespread today than ever, but more than ever, this product is far removed from the experience of real women.

            Media is the wedge that is so effectively driven between the experience of the woman and society’s experience of the woman. The two are never expected, nor is it desired that they ever cross paths. The two are forever parallel.  So what is this wedge? Why is it so easy for people to see and accept these things in within the provided outlets, but makes it unable to swallow in a real scenario?

The answer is the public’s the ability to consume.  The image of the woman is a constructed women, who can be consumed and subsequently discarded. Her feelings are portrayed in such a way, through these outlets, that consumption and discardement is welcome, and acceptable. This type of construct does is not compatible with society outside of the appropriate outlets. Therefore, the more outrageous and complex the constructed woman becomes, the more alienated the real woman is from that construction. The more an individual aspires to the construct, the more removed they are from self-definition. 

Sinkbath

                                               

 

 

 

 

How do you view your roles? Do they define you? Have you ever though about where they come from? Do you see it as a deeply symbolic aspect of your personality? Do you see it as a role that has stood the test of time (mother, wife) or one that is completely unique to you (vegetarian soup kitchen volunteer girlfriend who teaches at a youth facility on the weekends, professional dominatrix who experiments with molecular gastronomy). Who really has the power to define these roles? Do you feel empty or lacking when you cannot fulfill one of these roles? Could this be because of outer forces, and not inner needs? Are you simply suffering from some kind of role anxiety? Why are some roles seen as empowering and others are seen as subservient. It seems like the idea of empowerment has been skewed a great deal in today's society.

looking for me in all the wrong places