Despite fighting for over a century, women are still facing inequality and harsh stereotypes

 The Inequality and Stereotypes Women Face

The effects of the media, expectations, and perceptions on women's lives and their identity in a male centered and stereotypical society (reflection later on "Barbie Doll")

Women vs Society

The media has idealized women to the point that people expect women to look and act a certain way according to society. Types of media that do this can include tv shows (especially types of anime), movies, social media, news, or in video games. These types can be presented to all different people of varying ages. Toys such as Barbie and other common toys that are mainly advertised towards young girls, idealize women to uncapable figures, shapes, and looks of their body or appearance. Many people have criticized the company for idealizing women in such a shameful manner and not including more diversity of size, appearance, and race. In media such as movies and tv shows, Disney has been a common subject about representing women in their content. In the princess movies and other shows of Disney's company, it is so clear in oppressing women by including sexist ideas such as the way women are dressed, encouraged to act, the things they like, and the relationships with the male characters. 

Sexist images of an expected woman's body have been seen in halloween costumes, normal clothing, and even in children's clothes. Halloween costumes have become a majority of outfits that are made sexier for women, which includes smaller sizes, more revealing, and less material. Even if people may not realize it, these techniques are also used in normal clothing for women, teenagers, and little girls. Clothing such as crop tops, torn jeans, and other clothing that has way less and thinner fabric is almost the same, or more, money than normal men's clothing. All over social media there have been complaints by mothers who are shopping for their children and disappointed in clothing companies. Little girls' clothing

has become shorter, more revealing, and has the classic looks of bright colors with images of cats, unicorns, and so on. For the boys, their clothing is much longer and sometimes cheaper than the girls clothing. Unfortunately the complaints have risen that boys do not have enough selection, which can be said the same about little girls who do not want to wear revealing, rainbow and glitter themed clothing all of the time. 

I have experienced the difficulties with clothing first hand when I cannot find clothing that is long enough for me because of my taller height. It can be very discouraging sometimes when clothes vary so much in size and your body type does not work with the majority of clothes due to sizing or shape. Sometimes I have looked at or bought mens clothes instead because of the fit, style since men's clothes do not have the classic "women's cut". I have even bought men's t-shirts because of the pictures on the clothing since it is not as common for women to wear clothes that have Star Wars, superheros, and other animated characters. Another point to bring up is the majority of mannequins in stores are skinnier and have an average height. Despite making plus size mannequins, they do not represent women who are in the middle of those weights and heights that are shorter or taller. 

My Thoughts and Observations

Many times I have felt uncomfortable with my looks and attributes. It has been hard for me to accept the fact that I will never be a smaller girl considering my height and bone structure. Society does not care about your family background, health conditions, and how your body is built, but rather looks for women who are close to this image and present it as the normal and common look, which is far from the truth. Even if women give in and want to change or "improve" their body, many are told they are not doing good enough or the smallest of imperfections are pointed out. Some fitness women and models have been caught or have revealed their secrets of using extra padding for their butts or breasts and compression sleeves for their stomach to once again promote the "perfect image" for women. This example further emphasizes the lengths women have been going to to make sure they are accepted by a society, which has unfortunately set countless stereotypes for women. Despite recent efforts by companies to include diversity in looks, race, weight, and other aspects of appearance, there is still a lingering stereotype of the "perfect woman" or the "perfect image" for women in society. Although over the years this stereotype has diminished a little bit, it is still heavily present in modeling, celebrities, the media, and unfortunately in children's toys or shows. 

Although there is no denying that there are stereotypes set on men as well that need attention, in a way women struggle in more ways and the issue is seen everyday, almost everywhere.

**** In the next excerpt I will be discussing the Poem "Barbie Doll" by Marge Piercy