hyper-sexualization of women in the media

All cultures have ideas and standards of what is deemed acceptable and even desirable for women. In ancient China, tiny feet was considered the epitome of beauty. Little girls were forced by their mothers to have their feet bound, so they would be more likely to find a husband. It didn't matter that the process was excruciating and led to deformities and disabilities of many little girls. Some conservative Muslims believe women must cover their bodies and most of their face with long pieces of clothing in public places as a form of modesty as required by their holy book. The pressure to look a certain way is deeply ingrained in all cultures, including Western culture. Our society is mirrored in all forms of media. The internet, television, magazines and even video games reflect what society thinks of women. We see thin, Bo-toxed women with large breasts and narrow hips. They have no visible cellulite. It doesn't mean it's not there, just that we don't see it. Thighs are air brushed and arms are slimmed. Women's bodies are made to look unnaturally perfect in the media. Perfection isn't enough. The media hyper-sexualizes women. It turns ordinary situations, such as cleaning a kitchen, purchasing a car, dancing and singing into highly sexually charged situations. While watching a television commercial or viewing a print advertisement, it is often difficult to determine what product is being sold. It's very apparent that sex, specifically by hyper-sexualizing women, is to be seen first.
In one study, Rolling Stone magazine covers were analyzed from 1967 – 2009 to look for changes in the sexualization of men and women over time. University of Buffalo researchers studied over 1000 images. They used a scale to rate the amount of sexu...

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...ive and innocent. Comparing this to more recent movies, asian women are seen as both aggressive and hyper-sexualized. That goes without saying that most, if not all, women in action/adventure movies, regardless of race, are fierce, aggressive, and hyper-sexualized; Charlie's Angels (2000), for example.
Mass media is powerful. Stereotypes, images and ideas are spread like wildfire. The power of mass media has grown over time. Hundreds of years ago, newspapers were the only source of visual media available to the public. Fast forward to the present. Now we are exposed to 24 hours a day of not only magazines and television, but the internet. We depend on media for information and communication. The media also affects our beliefs and values, whether we realize it or not. The hyper-sexualization of women seen everyday affects society in ways many don't stop to consider.