Katha Pollitt Child To Adult Analysis

Media's Effects: Child to Adult

In today's culture young girls all across the world are growing up in very different situations; yet, one thing is always a constant, men being the superior. Katha Pollitt, an award- winning writer for magazines such as The Nation and New York Times, discusses how this divide between men and women shown by the media is critical in the upbringing of today’s youth. From princesses always needing saved to the cute little bunny with pink bows in the background these create the acceptance of a male made world. Much like Pollitt, Jean Kilbourne, EdD, is a marvelous writer who has been shocking many since the 60’s with her concepts on how advertizing degrades women of all ages and cultures. With Pollitt’s experience

Whether it is in Pollitt’s case raising a daughter or in Kilbourne’s trying to show the masses just how corrupt media is both clearly state their points throughout their articles. Katha expresses her concern for her daughter when she says, “The trouble is, our preschoolers don’t have time. My funny, clever, bold, adventurous daughter is forming her gender ideas right now” (547). Her perspective from a mother’s point of view allows the reader to fully understand her concern and see where her passion for the topic is coming from. It is hard for someone who doesn’t have kids to understand the fear of raising a child in a world that judges solely on gender and appearance but they still can comprehend it on a personal level. This is where Jean comes in and speaks to those who can’t completely relate to Katha. She states, “I contend that all girls growing up in this culture are sexually abused-- abused by the pornographic images, of female sexualities that surround them from birth, abused by all the violence against women and girls, and abused by the constant harassment and threat of violence… it hurts, it does damage, and it sets girls up for addictions and self-destructive behavior” (476). Many can relate to this statement because in today’s culture it is the 100% truth. Girls are without a doubt more sensitive than boys and this constant battle to be the ideal women produced

The mind is the most powerful tool a human can posses and when someone learns how to control their thoughts and emotions nothing can stop them from making the right decisions and being happy. Mrs. Pollitt talks about the lessons her and her husband try to teach her daughter and states, “I do what I can to counteract the messages she gets from her entertainment, and so does her father-- Sophie watches very little television. But I can see we have our work cut out for us” (547). This is what parenting is, no one said it would be easy, especially not in today’s world, but that’s what it is. Teaching your kids not everything they see on TV is right, allowing them to reach their full potential, and showing them their full worth is all part of raising a child. If a little girl grows up always thinking she has to stand behind men, that isn’t some Disney broads fault, but a lack of teaching from the parents. Even Kilbourne goes against everything she says in her article when she claims, “It would be foolish to suggest that advertising is the cause of violence against women-- or of alcoholism or eating disorders or any other major problem. These problems are complex and have many contributing factors” (478). Well no duh, just like with the way little girls need to be taught so do young boys. If a man