Stereotypes, Stereotyping and Ideals Essay - 5008 Words

Various sources indicate that female body images presented through models, mannequins, and even Barbie dolls are strikingly deviant from the actual female form. One such example occurs in the January 1998 issue of Marie Claire magazine, which states that the average American woman is 5’4† and a size 12. She has a 37-inch bust, a 29-inch waist, and 40-inch hips. A mannequin is 6 feet tall, a size 6, with measurements of 34-23-34. A life-size Barbie doll would be 7’2,† with bust, waist, and hip measurements of 40-22-36, respectively. A woman of these measurements would have to walk on all fours to balance her disproportionate body. Considering that Barbie’s physical characteristics are outrageous and ultimately unattainable, how has she come†¦show more content†¦The harmful implications of ongoing exposure to these unattainable ideals, such as low self-esteem, eating disorders, unhealthy body image, and increased acceptance of violence, make ur gent the need for change. How does a society go about changing such long-standing norms? In light of its pervasiveness and highly influential nature, the media may be the proper place to begin changing gender stereotypes. When considering issues of gender, one must first consider how and where differences in masculinity and femininity come about. Although masculinity and femininity are achieved through various actions, some attribute characteristics of gender to innate, biological criteria. David G. Myers comments on such attributions in â€Å"Social Psychology,† when he writes that â€Å"the persistence and omnipresence of gender stereotypes leads some evolutionary psychologists to believe they reflect innate, stable reality† (337). Anthropological and evolutionary studies show that even the earliest societies supported the same gender hierarchies as those evident in today’s culture, many of which are based on biology. Interestingly enough, studies show that males have consistently dominated such hierarchies. As S. Goldberg writes in â€Å"Feminism Against Science,† â€Å"[A]mong all the thousands of societies on which we have any sort of evidence, there have never been a ny Amazonian or matriarchal societies. The hierarchies of all societies have always been dominated by males† (4).Show MoreRelatedAnti Arab And Anti Muslim Stereotyping996 Words   |  4 Pagesand Anti-Muslim stereotyping by Mazin B. 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Every man has a different path in life witch teaches him his own personal lessons that govern their life. My personal stereotypes are products of my experiences, which I use. Why Society embracesRead MoreGender Stereotyping Standards For Men And Women Across America909 Words   |  4 PagesGender stereotyping sets standards for men and women across America, this being true for the past few hundred years. It is not secret that women are said to be most useful in the kitchen, and that men are to be found somewhere doing hard work, being the bread winner. Also, in the way we allow our young children to be identified; blue means it’s a boy, pink means it’s a girl. As times change, so does society and its m entality as a whole. Some stereotypes have been more difficult to break than othersRead MoreCommunication Between Cultures And Its Impact On Society1671 Words   |  7 Pageswhen they are first introduced to other. 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The occurrence of stereotyping is usually based on the categorization of an individual as a member of a social group, the traits that are associated with this social group