There are many double standards in media for men and women. One of these prevailing double standards over the years has been the pressure for women to be physically beautiful. I have noticed, however, that this is making a shift. Recent trends have suggested that there has been a change in what is considered beautiful or desirable in a woman.
In the past, Women have traditionally been stereotyped for having more concern for physical beauty. This stereotype still prevails. Pick up any woman’s magazine off the rack and you will see endless ads for makeup, hair products, etc. Women are the ones who have been known to develop eating disorders because of the pressure to be like a skinny models and celebrities. Women are the ones who have dealt with the pressure of fitting a mold to please a man. Lately, however, it seems like these roles are changing. I have noticed more and more references in the media to women wanting “real beauty” or wanting to look more natural. Lately, women have been encouraged to ignore the rules and pressures of the past and be true to themselves.
The 1998 sitcom, “King of Queens” depicts the life of an average Joe kind of man, Doug. Doug is an overweight deliveryman. Everything about this man is average. His wife, Carrie, however, is beautiful. While Doug is portrayed as a loveable goofball, with a big heart and a funny sense of humor. Carrie is very sassy and has a tendency toward rudeness. The show was playing upon stereotypical male and female attraction principles with these characters. The attraction was obvious. Doug loved Carrie because she was beautiful, and Carrie loved Doug because he had a great personality. This assumes that men value looks and women value character. This wasn’t the only show that portrayed men and women this way. “According to Jim” a sitcom that began in 2001, portrayed an average, but loving father with a beautiful mother. It used to be highly uncommon to see a handsome man with an average or overweight woman, but now all this is starting to change.
At first, the changes were small. Brought upon by eating disorders highlighted by the media as a growing problem in the United States, everyone knew something had to change. Celebrities jumped on the bandwagon, and began to protest the use of air brushing and false depictions of their appearances.
Faith Hill became angry when Redbook airbrushed her photo to make her look younger and thinner. She told the public that she was comfortable with her body, and didn’t want any false representations. Tyra Banks proudly posted her weight on the cover of People magazine and announced she was no longer skinny and she was fine with that. The campaigns began to remind girls and women about inner beauty. This is the premise of Dove’s “Real Beauty” campaign. Dove wishes to remind young girls what true beauty really is and encourage them to strive for what is really important in life.
Even the popular dramas have jumped on the bandwagon. Popular dramas such as “Sex in the City” and “Desperate Housewives” were notorious for showing unrealistically beautiful women in their 40s. Now, even shows like this are recognizing a shift in ideals. In the new season of “Desperate Housewives,” Gabrielle Solis, a past model and raving beauty, has suffered a loss in the beauty department. She has had two children and has put on a few pounds, no longer wears makeup, and appears to be worn. A recurring theme on the show is Gabrielle’s struggle for confidence and journey to embrace the new woman she is. Though she knows she is no longer the beautiful, youthful woman she once was, she now has a greater role. She is a mother, and she values herself more now than she ever has. Now, shows like “Desperate Housewives” are showing a more realistic side to women of a certain age or women who have experienced the physical effects of motherhood and stress.
In 2007, on the CBS soap opera, “Guiding Light” the popular, handsome, and wealthy, Coop Cooper began dating, Ashley Wolf, a socially awkward, obese young woman. This was very unusual for a soap opera. When questioned about his choice for a girlfriend, Coop said simply that Ashley was such a wonderful person, he couldn’t help but fall in love with her. She was loyal, loving, and caring, and these were the qualities he valued.
I am very pleased with this new shift. This shows that the media can observe the effects they have on society, and make positive changes as a result. The rise in eating disorders and confidence issues in young girls and women was a cry for help. The media has heard this cry, and now they are trying to pick up the pieces and take serious steps to change these stereotypes that have created pressure for women. Now, the most beautiful asset a woman can have is often portrayed as self love. This is such a positive change! I am very proud of the writers and creators of these ideas in the media.
