In “Killing Us Softly 4” and her Ted Talk, Jean Kilbourne suggests that we have a toxic cultural environment in which media images of women contribute to public health problems including “an obsession with thinness, the tyranny of the ideal image of beauty, and violence against women.” She argues further that public health problems can only be addressed by changing the environment and that we must respond as citizens rather than consumers.
Instructions for Discussion:
Using a specific example from your experience, explain how you, your family, or your friends have been affected by the types of media images studied by Kilbourne. Consider going beyond the effects described by Kilbourne to note the effects of media images on women’s aspirations and attainment in education and career.
In what ways are the effects of media images different for women and girls in different ethnic groups?
Identify one specific action you can take to address the problem of media images of women.
You are required to make a connection between your response and a point in one of this week’s readings (not just the videos). If you wish, you may also connect your response to a reading in one of the previous weeks, such as Frye’s article on oppression.
