Blog Entry 3- Final Draft

In Chyong-Ling Lin's article, 'Comparing Society's Awareness of Women' he speaks of how the media's depiction of women objectify's and instills long-lasting effects on society. Recognized as the cumulative or "Pygmalion" effect, media's exploiting depiction of women greatly impacts the society and culture at large and challenges the 'feminine identity'. In his article, Lin explains that the negative impact of current femininity depictions affect both gender recognition and force women to hide good personal characteristics in order to adjust their social behavior to satisfy society.

Women in the media easily become targets of exploitation whenever they are not empowering themselves through embracing their sexuality. The "sexuality" of women is not just restricted to her 'sexual' nature, but her, our, overall allure---our mannerisms, our etiquette, our dress---everything that embodies a woman tied into her,our, identity becomes her, our, 'sexuality'. Women in the media, public figures, have a personal responsibility of embracing their sexuality and in-turn empowering women in society. As our only advocates in the media, it is the responsibility of women (public figures) in the media to embrace the attention emphasized on their sexuality and manipulate it in a manner that empowers women everywhere---making us feel proud to be confident, strong and sexy as women.

I contend the notion that femininity identity depicted in the media is solely objectifying and that it instills long-lasting effects on society. Although there are some areas in media in which women are exploited and objectified, there are also areas in the media in which women and our sexuality is embraced, celebrated and empowering. This job and personal responsibility is best executed by female entertainers---who are constantly subjected and criticized by the media, however, still continuing to challenge the exploiting nature of the media by embracing the very thing (sexuality) the media exploits in women. This, in-turn shifts the negative "long-lasting" effects of exploitation to empowerment, moreover challenging society's views of women. Having women public figures as role models, advocating the embrace of a woman's sexuality, women, like myself, are encouraged to make our own place in society and not allowing the media or society to determine our worth, rights or values.

In Stevi Jackson and Sue Scott's, Women and Sexuality, women have always been victims of repression and oppression. Belonging to patriarchal societies that believed a woman's duties to be solely domestic---cook, clean, have babies---, women had no rights, nor place in society. It was not until later, that women began to advocate for their rights' and find their place in society. In today's media driven culture, it is almost expected of female entertainers to advocate the power of/in being a woman. Singer/Superstar/Businesswoman Beyonce Knowles recently transitioned from being solely a singer to being a businesses(woman)---releasing herself from under the management of her father, Beyonce is now responsible for all aspects of her career. Being a career woman, wife, and mother---focused in the media---Beyonce shows women everywhere that it is possible to accomplish and do anything we want. She also challenges the objectifying depiction of women in both the media and society. Beyonce comments on her transition in saying, "It was very risk for me to step out of my own, being a young woman, I want to set the example that its possible for us to own our own business and own our own record labels and sometimes we don't reach for the stars; sometimes we are satisfied with what people tell us we're supposed to be satisfied with and I'm just not going for it."

I disagree with the idea that media's exploiting depiction of women in the media integrates long-lasting effects on society---forcing women to conform to society's expectations. Just like I mentioned previously with Victoria Secret ads, there is a way in which we, as women, can use the media to empower ourselves---but it is our personal responsibility to embrace our sexuality and right to claim it. The exploiting depiction of women in the media can and will destroy us if we are not bold and courageous enough to embrace and empower ourselves. As exemplified, sensational superstar and businesswoman, Beyonce, does not allow her sexuality or gender to define the terms of her success or career---that of which she controls and defines. The embracing of a woman's sexuality has no long-lasting effect on a woman's place in society---or capability in performing in society. As women, if we can embrace and empower ourselves, we can strive to do anything. "From Exploitation to Empowerment: Politicking the Personal" reiterates the notion that a woman's awareness of her sexuality and determinism helps her re-gain and keep control of her life and rights. A woman's sexuality does not make her any more or less than what she is. In conclusion, we, as women, cannot control the obsessive nature of media and society's  interest in our sexuality---it is up to us, as women, to embrace our sexuality and the power in being a woman > from exploitation to empowerment.