Chapter 9 Readings

1. Chapter 9 Readings

2. Susan Douglas

3. Representative Works • Where the Girls Are: Growing up Female with the Mass Media • Listening In: Radio and the American Imagination • The Mommy Myth: The Idealization of Motherhood and How it Undermines Women • Enlightened Sexism

4. Enlightened Sexism • Large gap between how the vast majority of women and girls live their lives and what they see and don’t see in the media (equality is an accomplished fact when indeed it isn’t) • Opposite of gap seen in 1950s and 1960s (images showed women in the home, when they were aspiring to enter the workforce)

5. Enlightened Sexism • Media is giving us fantasies of power (CEOs, presidents, surgeons, lawyers—or women who have chosen to be sex objects, thereby empowering themselves) • In reality median income for women continues to be roughly 23% of that of men • Purchasing power and sexual power does not equal political power and economic power

6. Being decorative is the highest form of power

7. Enlightened Sexism • Generational divide in how fantasies are presented to “vintage females” (Chloe on 24) and younger women (Jessica Simpson on Newlyweds) • Neither reflects reality, but we seem to believe it does – or should

8. Enlightened Sexism • Embedded feminism: the way in which women’s achievements or desired achievements are part of the cultural landscape (feminism is no longer outside of the media) • Enlightened Sexism: equality has been achieved, so it is acceptable to resurrect sexist stereotypes of girls and women

9. Enlightened Sexism • True power has nothing to do with professional achievement or economic independence – it has to do with men lusting over you and other women envying you. • Feminist in its outward appearance (you can do anything), but sexist in its intent (only to a certain point and not in a way that promotes feminism)

10. Amanda Lenhart

11. Representative Research • Teens • Social Networking • Web 2.0 and Twitter • Sexting and Mobile Phone Use • Cyberbullying • Gaming • Education • Blogs • Identity • Safety

12. Sexting • Sexting: creating, sharing, and forwarding of sexually suggestive nude or nearly nude images by minor teens • In some states, sexting is considered to be the same as distributing child pornography • If convicted, teens may have to register as sex offenders

13. Sexting • Pew Internet Survey found: • 4% of all cell-owning teens ages 12-17 had sent a sexually suggestive nude or nearly nude photo of themselves to someone else • 15% of those ages 12-17 have received a sexually suggestive nude or nearly nude photo or video from someone they know

14. Sexting • Sexting scenarios: • Between romantic partners • Between two people where one hopes to become romantically involved • Some teens feel pressured to do it

15. Sexting • Attitudes: • Safer alternative to real life sexual activity • Some avoid it because of legal ramifications • Some judge others who send images

16. Sexting • Once you hit ‘send’ your image is out there forever (this is true for photos, videos, texts, email, etc.) • What are your experiences/thoughts regarding this practice?