In this analysis of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (SVU) they explore how womens roles are depcited. Starting with the home, the main arena where a women is active, is used as the place where she both, acts as a caregiver as well as plans commiting crimes. In the series they show different women in society who are family centered, have a steady work and social life but yet become a "monstrous maternal figure." The show is not trying to be anti-feminist, but instead is just showing a case of crime in general. It is seen more over womens abuse of power is due to psychological issues.
We see in the show that they have steadily been giving more power to women in the area if police enforcement . " the main female protagonist, Benson, is depicted as a competent, focused professional. She is surrounded by capable professional women including those working for the district attorney's office, judges, attorneys, and police officers."
"Simultaneously, by showcasing women who survive their sexual assault SVU asserts a key feminist idea: there is life after rape- that is, the raped women is a survivor with agency." this feminist action is seen mostly by watching the show continuosly.
throughout the show we notice most cases are dealing with family problems that can result in crimes. Over all the show highlights power in gender relations, including family situations, as well as criminal.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Monday, October 27, 2008
"Mediating Hillary Rodham Clinton"
When talking about women in the media, we tend to see a type of force trying to bring them down. When Hillary Clinton ran for president you can see that the media basically did not want to accept this, they didn't think we were ready for a women president. With much critics talking about her intimidating persona, or her unwilling to care for her daughter as a women should do; “ the television news texts combine a rhetoric of fear surrounding powerful- women with a gendered discourse on first ladies.”
As brought up over and over again the Clinton-Lewinsky scandal she was described as a " helpmate" rather then her role as first lady by being "co-president." When the media once talked about why women stay with men who cheat one main reason was to defend their husbands in times of criticism. " despite the shift in HRC's image from that of a successful but feared career women , to a " stand by your man " kind of first lady, her critics continue to raise questions about her political motives."
With Sarah Palin now running for an important role as VP. the news has unfairly beat her down from her views to how much she spends on wardrobe. They have said that she is more concerned about her appearence then what she can do for the country. They still question whether or not she would be a good person for this job.
I feel like the media takes more time finidng any little evidence to put women down, whether they have a fearful personality or whether they spent too much money trying to look more professional in public. What they don't realize is that we are trying to make a change and it doesnt always have to be bad but we must fail before we succeed. We must try to have a women in power and if it does go wrong then you can criticize all they want but atleast give them a chance without having to portray them as harmful to the country.
As brought up over and over again the Clinton-Lewinsky scandal she was described as a " helpmate" rather then her role as first lady by being "co-president." When the media once talked about why women stay with men who cheat one main reason was to defend their husbands in times of criticism. " despite the shift in HRC's image from that of a successful but feared career women , to a " stand by your man " kind of first lady, her critics continue to raise questions about her political motives."
With Sarah Palin now running for an important role as VP. the news has unfairly beat her down from her views to how much she spends on wardrobe. They have said that she is more concerned about her appearence then what she can do for the country. They still question whether or not she would be a good person for this job.
I feel like the media takes more time finidng any little evidence to put women down, whether they have a fearful personality or whether they spent too much money trying to look more professional in public. What they don't realize is that we are trying to make a change and it doesnt always have to be bad but we must fail before we succeed. We must try to have a women in power and if it does go wrong then you can criticize all they want but atleast give them a chance without having to portray them as harmful to the country.
Monday, October 20, 2008
"Two Ways A Women can get Hurt"
" Male violence is subtly encouraged by ads that encourage men to be forceful and dominant, and to value sexual intimacy more than emotional intimacy."- Jean Kilbourne
I agree with Kilbourne's statement in her article " Two ways a women can get hurt", society has created this visual image of how men are and always will be the dominant sex; yes they are the dominant sex but that doesnt mean they can take advantage of females. These days I believe women are well prepared and independant enough to not have to stand any forceful or unwanted behavior from a man. The ads have been changing and showing the public another view that of strong willed women who don't need men to get what they want in life, but the more traditional male dominant ads take violence to another level. Even teenage guys can be affected by these messages the ads try to make, I feel that they do value sexual intimacy more than emotional intimacy. The women just look like sex symbols and are no good for anything else.
" Women are especially cruel judges of other women's sexual behavior, mostly because we are so desperate to believe we are in control of what happens to us. It is too frightening to face the fact that male violence against is irrational and commonplace."- Jean Kilbourne
When it comes to judgeing other women's sexual behavior I believe the same sex is more critical than the opposite sex. A women is supposed to be classy, feminine, motherly, caring, giving, and loving. The picture portrayed in the ads of women look feminine, but they also looked used by men. The way that men hold women either by the hair, or just grabbing her in a forceful way can also depict the sense that she can't stand up for herself, other they might just like to be mistreated. When talking about other women we tend to see it as if if you have been around with many guys you're a slut, on the other hand when it comes to men if we were to compare a male and a female who have slept with about 6 people, the male we would say oh he is just a guy, but when it comes to the women she would be seen as "garbage". I believe though that it is good in a way to show the ads and have women be aware of male dominance and how far it can go.
I agree with Kilbourne's statement in her article " Two ways a women can get hurt", society has created this visual image of how men are and always will be the dominant sex; yes they are the dominant sex but that doesnt mean they can take advantage of females. These days I believe women are well prepared and independant enough to not have to stand any forceful or unwanted behavior from a man. The ads have been changing and showing the public another view that of strong willed women who don't need men to get what they want in life, but the more traditional male dominant ads take violence to another level. Even teenage guys can be affected by these messages the ads try to make, I feel that they do value sexual intimacy more than emotional intimacy. The women just look like sex symbols and are no good for anything else.
" Women are especially cruel judges of other women's sexual behavior, mostly because we are so desperate to believe we are in control of what happens to us. It is too frightening to face the fact that male violence against is irrational and commonplace."- Jean Kilbourne
When it comes to judgeing other women's sexual behavior I believe the same sex is more critical than the opposite sex. A women is supposed to be classy, feminine, motherly, caring, giving, and loving. The picture portrayed in the ads of women look feminine, but they also looked used by men. The way that men hold women either by the hair, or just grabbing her in a forceful way can also depict the sense that she can't stand up for herself, other they might just like to be mistreated. When talking about other women we tend to see it as if if you have been around with many guys you're a slut, on the other hand when it comes to men if we were to compare a male and a female who have slept with about 6 people, the male we would say oh he is just a guy, but when it comes to the women she would be seen as "garbage". I believe though that it is good in a way to show the ads and have women be aware of male dominance and how far it can go.
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