Summary Of The Documentary Film: Miss Representation

Miss Representation, a documentary film produced by Jennifer Siebel Newsom released in 2011, presents a contemporary issue which is the misrepresentation of women’s portrayal in mass media. The media is powerful in shaping audience’s belief in how to be feminine. Women are expected to be beautiful, attractive, and even sexual on the media to attract audience’s attention. Also, the film points out the existence of social system in which men are considered more powerful and dominant than women. Finally, the film tries to increase the awareness of female real value including capability, educational achievement, and leadership. Consuming the media wisely to eliminate gendered stereotypes can help young women build their confidence and be successful.

The film has been used as a helpful source for students who concern about the social system as well as what is direct people’ awareness of what is happening in the society.

First, the film is associated with the concept of gender, which emphasizes the physical, behavioral, and personality traits that are considered to be appropriate for men or women. Males are expected to be strong, aggressive, and competitive while females should be beautiful, emotional, and especially sexually attractive. Many girls and women feel deeply depressed when comparing their bodies to the unrealistic models’ bodies on advertising which is edited by Photoshop in many hours or even in many days. Those female characteristics presented in daily TV shows, movies, advertising, video games have become normal and widely acceptable. Also, the film associates with the concept of patriarchy which believe in male dominance. According to the misrepresentation of female role on mass media, women often see themselves in the roles of mothers, workers, models, or gold diggers. Women are valuated via their beauty and sexuality rather than their capability. Conversely, the appearance of males in heroes, executives, or political leaders in mass media makes men more powerful than women. The media generates the gender stereotypes and makes people believe in their gender roles. Finally, the sociological relevance of Miss Representation is that the media plays an important role in shaping male and female’s belief in their role and value. As the result, it is understandable for gender behaviors and gender inequality in the

society.
Media is a significant part in my family’s life. We spend approximately three hours a day on the media. We enjoy watching reality television, movies, and sports on television and other electronic equipment. Media consumption strongly influences our belief in gender. My mother tells me that she always learns about beauty trends from the media. Also, she always reminds me that being a female means being good-looking. While women are expected to be attractive, not too strong, emotional, and dependent, men should be strong, smart, non-emotional, and independent. For example, in animated movies, we usually see a prince or a hero save a princess or a beautiful woman. Before watching Miss Representation, I sometimes wondered why there was a special emphasis on women’s beauty or sexuality instead of their education, talent, or leadership on mass media. The film literally provided me with a general overview about gendered inequality in the United Stated and made me look at what I watch on television differently. The media tries to shape our minds and behaviors in the way they want us to be. The inaccurate portrayal of female role and value in the media is derived from not only culture but also incorrect political belief that masculine traits including aggressiveness, courage, assertiveness make men more dominant in leadership roles compared to women.