Archive for April, 2009
Or is it Bridget Jones's Diary: The Early Years?
The Candy Apple children’s book series has titles like How to be a Girly Girl in Just Ten Days, Miss Popularity, and The Boy Next Door. In combination with these titles, the books’ hot pink covers and cutesy cartoon images draw in young readers. Candy Apple books are developed on the theory that clothes, makeup, and boyfriends are the primary concerns for tweenage girls.
According to a teachers’ web site, Scholastic’s Teacher Book Wizard, the books are at a third-grade reading level and are aimed at readers grades three through five. These books are marketed to girls as young as seven!
While reading the book How to be a Girly Girl in Just Ten Days, I felt like I was reading Bridget Jones’s Diary: the Early Years. Each chapter starts with a horoscope or advice on dating that could have been taken from any real magazine aimed at teen girls. Some of the magazine-type blurbs have titles like; “QUIZ: What does he really think of you?” “First Date DOs and DON’Ts,” and “From Friend Boy to Boyfriend — Turn Your Pal into Prince Charming by This Weekend!”
In the book, the eleven-year-old main character, Nick, struggles with her appearance and attracting boys until the end, when she settles back into her old style (basketball jerseys and no makeup). Of course, she also gets the boy of her dreams in the end. The basic plot of the main character eventually being content with her original sporty clothes is truly fantastic. However, there are 138 pages (out of the 163) that excitedly outline makeover tips and discuss how fabulous Nick looks post-makeover.
Although the book is trying to make the point that you are fine just the way you are, the message is weakened by the glamour of Nick’s makeover. The author of this book and others in the Candy Apple series take on topics that are potentially pertinent to the target age (i.e. being comfortable with your own style) but execute it in a way that dilutes the positive objective. The issue of feeling pressure to look a certain way is not addressed so that most third and fourth graders can understand it.
Girls in the target age group for these books pick up stories with slightly older characters — in this case, Nick (age 11) — to feel more mature. When reading about these characters shopping for makeup, something the readers probably don’t do yet, they are less likely to see the subtleties of Nick’s turn-around. Books like this one, in spite of their good intentions, can help push young girls into a world that revolves around physical appearance.
If you have kids or work with them, one way to fight these messages is by talking with the kids while they are reading the books. Ask them questions to get them thinking about the things they are reading.
Do you want to give tips on how these story lines might be better executed? You can contact Scholastic Inc. through their web site by clicking here.
– Ashley
April 29th, 2009
Yet another awful Carl’s Jr ad:
OK. Here’s what I learned from this advertisement:
1. Men like buffalo wings.
2. Men want to be cool and macho.
3. Eating Buffalo wings, ogling waitresses, and disrespecting your girlfriend are all a part of being cool and macho.
Wait. What?
I’m sorry Carl’s Jr., but I just don’t follow your logic. Since when does a high-calorie diet equal manliness? And why does Carl’s Jr. feel determined to align its product with misogynistic clichés?
Curious to learn how Carl’s Jr. interprets its own ad, I referenced the press release for this commercial. Here is the message consumers are meant to take away after viewing:
The 30-second spot…features a young, hungry guy enjoying Buffalo wings at his local sports bar. The wings are hot but the waitress is even hotter. The ad ends humorously when the guy is busted by his girlfriend for taking a little too much interest in the waitress.
There are 3 major messages in this article I find troublesome:
1. The clear oversexualization of the waitress. Everything from her risqué outfit to the way she flirts with Hungry Guy promotes the idea that she is a sexual object. Carl’s Jr. is effectively promoting their ideal attractive woman: a young blonde who will prance around seductively for strangers.
2. Hungry Guy’s lack of sensitivity and respect for his girlfriend. Even though he knows she will be upset, Hungry Guy cannot look away from the waitress because she is sexually attractive. Basically, the idea is that macho men are incapable of ignoring a seductive woman, even if they know their ogling may hurt their loved one.
3. The Them vs. Us mentality. By marketing their big, meaty sandwich to men, Carl’s Jr. promotes the idea that men with big appetites, the bad boys, and the kind of guys that make their girlfriends upset, will like this product. Of course, this is ridiculous, but young men watching this commercial may learn to think that when you’re a stud who likes big burgers, treating women as sexual objects is normal.
Hopefully, men and women will take a long second look at this commercial and see it for what it is. Eating a sandwich does not make you more of a man, but avoiding media manipulation and sensing the sexist attitudes behind everyday advertisements definitely does.
If you are fed up with Carl’s Jr. advertising please let them know by clicking here to send your comments directly to Carl’s Jr.
-Nikki
Nikki Roddy is a freelance writer based in San Francisco. After getting her start in magazine publishing in Southeast Asia in 2007, she returned to the United States, where she writes on culture, fashion, and music for various print and online publications, such as SOMA magazine and CountryMusicGoodness.com. In her off time, she enjoys making nachos, walking around the city, and watching live music performances.
April 24th, 2009
2008 Grand Prize Winning Poster by Whitney Calvert
The National Organization for Women (NOW), is running the Love Your Body campaign. Each year, NOW hosts a poster contest that promotes healthy body image and “the grand-prize-winning poster will be used as part of a national campaign to challenge the media’s use of violent, drug-addicted, starved, surgically enhanced images of women and to fight against industries that profit from women’s dissatisfaction with their bodies.” Entries for the 2010 contest are being accepted now and are due by December 1, 2009. The poster contest has different categories: All, University Students, College Students and Middle & Elementary School Students. You can find out more about the contest by clicking here.
The NOW web site has a gallery of past poster contest winners and runners up dating back to 1999. Their beautiful pieces of artwork are also available to send as e-cards. Recently I sent the 2005 winner to a group of my favorite girlfriends and they loved it. Check out the past Elementary School winners. They are amazing and their artwork sends clear, healthy messages. It’s heart-warming to see children take action against the media’s harmful messages. I encourage all of you to take action and submit a poster.
-Sonnet
Sonnet Harrison is a preschool teacher and nanny who studied Psychology and Child and Adolescent Development at San Francisco State University. In her free time, she works on a web site, www.favoritenanny.com, with other San Francisco nannies and is setting up a professional development support group which matches nannies with families without going through agencies. Sonnet became interested in volunteering with About-Face after working with teenage girls in a group home.
April 21st, 2009
I’m up for a pretty prestigious honor at my university, where I will be graduating in a few short weeks (gulp!). When I told a friend this news, he was pleased and happy for me. Then, curious, he started asking how I managed to do so well at college. So I answered a few questions, how I work hard and do the best I can–but then he cut me off. “Oh I know how,” he said. “You’ve never had a serious boyfriend in college.”
Tina Fey as Liz Lemon on 30 Rock
Excuse me? Was he actually suggesting that women can never succeed while we’re seriously dating someone? Because, you know, having jobs and internships and hanging out with friends and casually dating — that’s nothing compared to what it would take for a woman to maintain the attention of a boyfriend? Why is it that our society thinks women can’t have it all?
And that’s how I landed on people like Tina Fey.
Now, I love Tina Fey. I love her shows, I love her movies, I love her intelligence, and I especially love her Sarah Palin impersonations. She is a woman who’s broken down doors in the guys-only club of comedy. But I hate the women she plays. The women she consistently plays in her movies and shows are extremely successful, intelligent women who have unbelievably dull, pathetic social lives. Think of her characters in 30 Rock, Baby Mama, and Mean Girls–they are all are professional women who are clueless when it comes to their personal lives.
This has become a media trend over the decades–portraying women as either one or the other. Think Ally McBeal (successful lawyer, emotional instability), and Cristina Yang from Grey’s Anatomy (most intelligent intern in the hospital, yet cold and hostile to others). These kinds of characters are interesting and funny, and they certainly contribute to the laugh track. But I’ve had enough of it.
It’s great we’re seeing women characters as successful lawyers, doctors, and writers. But why must shows and movies always fall back on the same old portrayal–”she’s successful, but she can’t keep a boyfriend!” or “she’s smart, but she sure is crazy”?
What message is this sending? You can be successful either on the weekdays or the weekends, but not both?
Phylicia Rashad as Clair Huxtable on The Cosby Show
There are few examples of women in the media who do have it all–success and social lives. Phylicia Rashad’s Clair Huxtable on The Cosby Show was a loving, strict, successful, happy mother of five. I am also lucky enough to have grown up surrounded by extremely talented women who led happy lives, including my own mother. (I actually took an online quiz once to find out which TV family is most like mine, and it turns out we are the Huxtables). Why can’t we see more women who do have it all?
I have led the last four years of college socially and academically. Maybe I’ve never had a long-term relationship while in college, save for the couple month-long ones, but I have made some incredible long-term friends. But who’s counting anyway? And who’s to say any relationship of any kind would deter me from my goals?
-Kate
Kate Elston is a senior majoring in Media Studies at the University of San Francisco. Upon graduation, she plans to work as a journalist or filmmaker. Kate wants to dedicate her career to media literacy and use the media to promote positive change.
April 20th, 2009
These days it often seems like it is a requirement to be good looking to be a good singer. Simon Cowell is known for his harsh words for singing contestants regarding, not just their singing, but their looks too. All of this changed when Susan Boyle came onto Britain’s Got Talent (the UK version of American Idol).
Susan Boyle is moving people world-round with her phenomenal voice. I think it is wonderful that this woman from Scotland is able to be recognized for her amazing talents. In addition to her talents, Boyle’s confidence in the faces of those who doubted and mocked her is inspiring.
In spite of the eye rolls from both the audience and the judges before her performance, she went on to move them all to standing ovations and tears with her magnificent voice. It’s heart-warming to watch the audience’s cynicism and judgment dissolve at the sound of Susan’s voice.
My favorite line in the video is when Amanda says:
I am so thrilled because I know that everybody was against you. I honestly think that we were all being very cynical and I think that’s the biggest wake up call ever. And I just want to say that it was a complete privilege listening to that.
Susan Boyle on Britain's Got Talent
I wholeheartedly agree. The world needs this wake up call. We, as a culture, have become so focused on appearances that we can potentially limit ourselves from people’s talents that can move millions to tears. Hopefully Boyle’s story will help the world open its collective eye to a whole new slough of incredibly talented people that don’t look like Paris Hilton.
Susan Boyle has literally become famous overnight. Over 20.6 million people have seen Susan Boyle’s Britain’s Got Talent YouTube video. Since her performance, Susan has been given several offers for complete makeovers. Apparently now that she’s a star she has to look like a star! And apparently it’s the media that decides what a star looks like!
Susan Boyle At Her Home Piano
I’m inspired that Susan has not let the media get under her skin and make her feel un-pretty or insecure. Susan is comfortable with herself and her looks and she won’t let instant fame change who she is. In an interview on CNN‘s American Morning on Friday Susan said:
I wouldn’t want to change myself too much because that would really make things a bit false. I want to receive people as the real me, a real person.
That’s a message that About-Face can endorse and everyone should take to heart.
You can live your dreams and be talented no matter what you look like, how old you are, or where you’re from. All it takes is confidence and determination. Don’t be afraid to show yourself. Don’t hide your talents out of insecurity. And definitely don’t believe anyone who rolls their eyes and says “you can’t.”
If you want to contact the people behind Britain’s Got Talent to let them know how you feel about the representation of Susan Boyle, you can email them at viewerservices@itv.com
-Jaimie and Ashley
April 17th, 2009
W, Cover April 2009
While I often feel “above” the media’s messages, the truth is that I’m only human. And while knowledge is power, this power doesn’t always grant me immunity to the media’s toxicity.
One of my many personal vices is my unwavering devotion to W magazine, which I’ve read since I was the all-too-young age of twelve. Once the magazine was in our possession, my sister and I would lay it flat on the living room floor and drool over all the colors and patterns until our eyes crossed.
Little did we know that these images would impact the way we viewed our own beauty–indefinitely.
To this day, I still squeal with delight every month when my W comes in the mail. Consequently, I still battle the inevitable self-doubt and borderline self-loathing that comes after two hours of staring at heroine chic models in $45,000 mini dresses and heels that threaten to break my ankles just looking at them.
Sometimes I have to take action against these insecurities, lest I sulk myself down to “unpretty” levels (yes…I’ve been listening to a lot of the group TLC lately). Here are some ways I counterbalance my media-induced funk, and my advice to you as well:
- Step outside of your head…and home: Pull up a chair outside your favorite coffee shop and just watch the passers-by. Make note of how many variations of pretty walk past – you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
- Walk it off: Set your headphones to your most empowering tunes and take a stroll. The physical activity alone will raise your endorphin levels while the music provides some much-needed catharsis.
- Re-pretty-fy: If you’re a girlie-girl, get a little dolled up, meet up with some good friends and let their love and appreciation remind you of your beauty, both inside and out.
Each of these activities is a quick and easy way to remember what real-life beauty can consist of. What do you do to remind yourself of your beauty and worth? The About-Face community looks forward to hearing your thoughts and experiences, so please, share away!
-Corinne
Corinne Avganim is a freelance events and public relations manager with a passion for child and community development. Having grown up in the “Heart of Screenland” (Los Angeles), she immediately recognized the necessity of the About-Face mission and is honored to have joined such a dedicated team of beauty revolutionaries.
April 17th, 2009
Scarlett Johansson
I am so happy that Scarlett Johansson decided to take action against the media’s obsession with unhealthy, ultra skinny bodies!
Scarlett Johansson just wrote a fantastic article called “The Skinny” for The Huffington Post. Her article responds to media coverage that claims she is on a crash diet to lose 14 pounds for her upcoming film Iron Man 2. Scarlett Johansson supports having a healthy body image and in her article writes:
I’m a petite person to begin with, so the idea of my losing this amount of weight is utter lunacy. If I were to lose 14 pounds, I’d have to part with both arms. And a foot. I’m frustrated with the irresponsibility of tabloid media who sell the public ideas about what we should look like and how we should get there.
Way to go, Scarlett! She is definitely on the team of About-Face winners. Please click here to read the whole article.
-Jaimie
April 14th, 2009
Webbie's album cover: Savage Life 2
If you have seen popular music videos recently, you know that women are often wearing little clothing and dancing provocatively around men. The lyrics to these songs can be just as oversexualized, if not more so.
Although there is no shortage of music featuring women in these second-class roles, there is a brave new popular rap song and video that goes in a new direction.
That song is “Independent” by Webbie. Despite the fact that the song focuses mainly on material objects (i.e. money, flat-screen TVs, and cars),
the overall message of the song is that independent women are strong and can take care of themselves. It is refreshing to see a male artist unabashedly come out with a music video that depicts women in a positive light. My favorite line in the song is:
She’s got her own house, she’s got her own car, two jobs, work hard, you a bad broad.
The song’s music video has a similar empowering message. The video shows women in classrooms studying current events and dreaming about their futures. Women are shown as doctors, business executives, and even the first African-American woman president of the United States.
Click here to watch the “Independent” by Webbie music video
Although this music video has empowering aspects, it still isn’t ideal as far as representing women goes. Women are still shown wearing small clothing and dancing for the camera. I would prefer that women’s breasts weren’t popping out of their clothing when they are in a classroom, but at least they are in a classroom and not a bedroom. I would also prefer that women weren’t shown as dancing objects in music videos, but the camera isn’t focused solely on her gyrating hips — instead, it is focused on her face.
Is Webbie’s music video the answer to all of our prayers for positive images of women? Maybe not, but it is definitely a step in the right direction.
If you want to let Webbie know what you liked about “Independent” and encourage him to make more music videos like it, send him a message through his MySpace page.
- Ashley
Ashley Yee has worked with elementary-school-aged kids for more than three years and will be a graduate student this coming fall. As a former About-Face intern, Ashley strongly believes in empowering girls and women through educating them and boosting their self-esteem. Ashley worked on the About-Face Yay Scale campaign in July 2008.
April 10th, 2009
Vogue April 2009 Prevage Ad
It’s not enough that in advertising most photos are endlessly retouched, often beyond recognition. But to have the chutzpah to use a mannequin in place of a real woman as part of the ad is ridiculous and insulting! Well, that’s Prevage, the new product from Elizabeth Arden
The obvious dividing lines around the major limbs of the body (for easy detachment and renewal, perhaps) are what caught my eye in the ad in the April 2009 issue of Vogue. Of course, such lines are never found on a real woman, but only on a mannequin.
The ad is seemingly innocuous and even pleasing to the eye: simple colors, simple lines, and a simple message. The text is also simple: from a terse “total transformation” to a full statement, “I want firmer, smoother looking skin with no sign of stretch marks or age spots” to the actual name, “Prevage” which of course reads: “prevent age.” However, the psychological effect it has on women is anything but simple.
Vogue April 2009 Prevage Ad Text Detail
The tube of Prevage is strategically placed at the forefront and blown up to the size of the wom– er– mannequin. The advertisement states to the consumer that not only will this cream help with all the head-to-toe problems (come on, admit it, you’re just not perfect), but that every woman is plighted with such problems that need to be either prevented or taken care of ASAP.
Great, where do I buy a tube, or three, or, what’s the limit again? Finally: a solution to ALL our (women’s) peskiest problems! This is exactly how the advertisers want the consumer to react. But who allotted those problems?
Although a bottle of Prevage first appears as a salvation, they are not actually promoting a solution. What they are doing is making women feel damaged and shameful of being a functioning human being. How about this for a retort: “It is better to be a diamond with a flaw than a pebble without.”? Thank you, Confucius.
What I don’t understand is this: Are they saying that after using their ground-breaking cream a woman will end up looking as “perfect” as a mannequin? Or that the mannequin is the epitome of beauty, which a cosmetic surgery enthusiast can’t even live up to? To use Photoshop to take a blemish or two off a model is the rage, but to use a man-made statue as the promoter of a cream is just absurd.
I personally do not know of any men who have complained about crow’s feet or a stretch mark, or whatever else the cream is supposed to erase and banish from existence. But a perfectly lifeless girlfriend? That might raise a few complaints.
-O.V.K.
Olya Krapivina graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in 2008 with a B.A. in Cultural Anthropology. She has always been interested in people’s psychology and behavior. Journalism and writing have also been of major interest to her.
April 1st, 2009
