...something that we all agree should be taken seriously. Consumers get bombarded by approximately 3000 ads per day and it has been estimated that the average consumers spends on average 3 years of their life watching just ads alone. No wonder that advertising is the foundation of the mass media. The problem that she points out is that while advertising is selling products it also perpetuates the ideas, values, beauty, and notions of love and happiness and, to a certain extent, the idea or concept of normalcy. This is the area that I personally have a problem with, since it also subliminally imposes on how to act, react and worst of all, be. How does advertising cause that effect? How can it be so powerful? It starts by surrounding you with what it means to be beautiful, by creating or suggesting a false sense of beauty and making you feel diminished, not worthy and shameful, to the extent that if you don’t fall in that category of what they consider beauty, you have failed. It is powerful because failure is inevitable, since the main focus of beauty according to advertisers standards fall primarily at a body type that only 5 percent of the population have, therefore, setting you up for failure; However, not before telling you that you could try harder, that...
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...The song “Pretty Hurts” by Beyoncè Knowles sends a powerful message about the damaging effects of rigid beauty standards and body policing, showing us the pressure we put on women to look in a certain way in todays society. In the video “Pretty Hurts” it gives the viewers a better understanding of the interpretations trying to be made. Beyoncè takes us behind scenes of a pageant show, giving viewers a vivid image of the horrific truth. She not only shows us the standards that the world expects for women, but also the lengths that women would go through to be number one. I believe Beyoncè often tries to sell herself as effortlessly beautiful, and that her songs, photos and videos do contribute to this virtually unobtainable standard of beauty,...
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...youth and beauty driven and desired world. That is because our society has a particular image set up for what is called the ‘ideal’ woman and anything different from the ideal forms of female beauty is considered undesirable and unacceptable. Women have historically been gendered, subordinated and criticized for their different portrayals of femininity. There is a parody in the ‘New York Fries’ ad that is crucial to address. Cosmetic surgery is defined as "a broad regime of technologies, practices, and discourse, which define the female body as deficient and in need of constant transformation" (Davis, 2002, 49).Women have be subjects to cosmetic surgery and are still encouraged to undergo cosmetic surgery to modify their bodies to meet the...
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...“I am woman, hear me roar”. What is the definition of a woman? How do we as members of society, decide what that definition is? Where do these definitions come from? Are they our opinions? Or are they designed by others and transmitted subconsciously to us through various forms of media? The recognition granted to women specifically in the United States is embarrassingly low in comparison in accordance to what we as Americans like to believe. Media coverage is rarely ever focused on women. However, when a female is featured in media, it’s hardly in a positive light. The media contrives and distorts the perception we have on women to present them as sex symbols, basing all importance upon their beauty. One must occasionally think to themselves, “Why does this happen? Why in society do we place a woman’s worth on her appearance?” The sad truth of the matter is: We live in a world completely controlled by men. Alternatively, those doesn't mean only men are at fault, even women pick at each other; telling others what they should and shouldn't do or be. America likes to believe that we’ve come so far in the fight for gender equality. Those who believe this are not only wrong, but ignorant to the true workings of society. In an ideal “Golden Age” it was believed the household was ruled by matriarchy (ANU). However, in what we consider history today, women are always taking a supporting role; sometimes even when they are the main focus. There are many idea as to why women have been...
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...The media is selling the idea that girls’ and woman’s’ value lies in their youth, beauty and sexuality and not in their capacity as leaders. Boys learn that their success is tied to dominance, power, and aggression. Many would agree that some strides have been made in how the media portray women in film, television and magazines, and that the last few decades have also seen a growth in the presence and influence of woman in media behind the scenes. Documentaries such as “Miss Representation” focus on outlining the flaws and misrepresentation media has on woman and girls. Their project aims to challenge and change the way media objectifies woman. Nevertheless, female stereotypes continue to thrive in the media we consume everyday. Gender stereotypes are everywhere. Stereotypes are defined as a “generalized view or...
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...People Magazine People Magazine, first released in 1974, is completely devoted to stardom and the lives of those stars. Our modern day culture is fascinated by what stars are doing, what they are wearing, who they are dating, where they are eating, and the list goes on to cover every little detail of famous people’s lives. Fame comes in many different forms in our culture today from professional athletes to actors to Kardashians, and people in today’s culture try to escape their own lives by reading about the lifestyles of these people. The notion of fame was not the same around the late 19th and early 20th century. There were large names such as Andrew Carnegie or JP Morgan, but working and middle class people were not obsessed over how these wealthy people were living. The closest thing to a magazine like People that existed was the notion of a painted woman. Painted woman stories were in the papers that covered sensational murders of women who were often incredibly beautiful and morally virtuous but for some reason strayed off course and paid the ultimate punishment for it. People around the turn of the 20th century were fascinated with these people, but the fascination was not an envy to be like them. There was not a fixation on becoming famous and well-known back then. American culture in the late 19th and early 20th centuries was undergoing serious change. The industrial revolution led to significant economic growth and concentration of wealth during the turn of the...
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...Perception of the Athlete in Modern Society As with all the paper topic categories involving different sorts of bodies, culture’s perception of the sports body has evolved over time, but not as much as one would think. When the Athenians started the Olympics several millenniums ago their ideal athlete was well built and muscular (so much so that participants in the games at that time performed naked so the crowd could admire their appearance as much as their ability to run, jump, etc…) which is not very different from what we picture the ideal athlete as today. Webster’s dictionary defines athlete as “Any one trained to contend in exercises requiring great physical agility and strength; one who has great activity and strength; a champion” which is a very vague definition when you look at the variety of different types of athletes we have in the U.S. Does a thin, toned Olympic champion such as Michael Phelps really share similarities with an offensive lineman in the National Football League? Throughout this essay I will be commenting on the variation of athletes in modern society, the steroid controversy, and how the United States in particular has a skewed perception of what an athlete should be. A recent major example of one of the most popular sports figures going down the abyss of the steroid scandal, among other gossip, is New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez. Since A-Rod’s first season playing for Seattle he has been glorified as having the potential to be...
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...Sociology of Gender Gender is defined as the social distinctions between masculinity and femininity. People often use the terms gender and sex interchangeably. The former is defined above, whereas the latter is defined as a determination of male or female on the basis of a set of socially agreed-upon biological criteria. Music Videos such as Stupid Girls and If I Were A Boy by singers Pink and Beyonce respectively demonstrate clearly the assumptions or categorizations we evoke simply by using the terms girl or boy. Although the topic of gender in sociology is vast, this paper focuses on how gender is reproduced and how the gendered body is displayed in society. There are three ways in which gender is reproduced in society. It is reproduced through the family, education and the media. From birth begins gendered expectations. According to the social norm, the color pink is mainly associated as a feminine color and the color blue masculine. Family and friends who go to see the birth of a baby girl fill the hospital room with pink balloons, teddy bears with pink ribbons and if a boy was born the room would be filled with presents which are blue in color. Growing up, girls receive presents such dollhouses and kitchen sets which reinforce their femininity. Parents raise their boys and girls differently. Even though research shows that boys at an early age (around 2 years) are just as interested in playing with the same toys girls play...
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...According to the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders, there are over 24 Million people that suffer from eating disorders. What is an eating disorder though? The simple definition of this disease is that a person exhibits abnormal eating behaviors. There are many different variations to these disorders but they share many of the same characteristics such as: fear of becoming obese, obsession with thinness, food, weight, and even calorie counting. Of the many cases though what is the main cause of this disease? Can it be psychological, an environmental, or a biological factor? In this paper I will explore some of the reasons why people develop eating disorders and how it all factors into a person’s everyday life. The two main eating disorders that I will be looking at is anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. Anorexia Nervosa, a serious, potentially life-threatening eating disorder characterized by self-starvation and excessive weight loss. The four main symptoms are intense fear of weight gain, the struggle to maintain body weight, loss of menstrual periods, and the feeling of feeling “fat”. With developing Anorexia Nervosa, the body is denied the fundamental nutrients it needs to function properly. Therefore, it is forced to slow down all of its processes to conserve energy. By slowing down the body, it can cause serious medical consequences like an unnaturally slow heart rate and low blood pressure, osteoporosis, muscle loss and weakness...
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...Beginning many centuries ago, Westerns have created a sphere of influence that has been widely accepted by the international world as the ‘way of being’. Since its start, Western influence spread throughout touching the bases of many states, especially post-colonial nations. However, there still remain untouched communities that have not yet adjusted to the global trend of Westernization. Amongst these scarce communities are the ‘Pygmies’ whom are found throughout central Africa. ‘Pygmies’ have been named the ‘Forest People’ due to their lack of integration with the Western world. This essay will mainly discuss how the studies conducted by Western explorers and experts alike aided in creating the myth of the ‘Forest People’ and will then further explain how media and tourism have also played a role in shaping and sustaining the Euro-American representation of ‘Pygmies’. The myth of the Pygmies resurfaced between the 18th and 19th centuries when Europeans were in the prime of colonizing different African states. During this time, many explorers ventured into the forests where they came into contact with the Pygmies. Nonetheless, explorers were unable to keep up contact with the Pygmies in order to provide any detailed accounts of their appearance, lifestyle and interactions. It was not until Schweinfurth’s reveal that multiple ethnographers such as Colin Turnbull became involved with learning further about these unexplored people and African rainforests (Frankland...
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...[pic] HARVARD BUSINESS SCHOOL BRIEF CASES 4249 JANUARY 19, 2011 JOHN A. QUELCH HEATHER BECKHAM Clean Edge Razor: Splitting Hairs in Product Positioning On August 9, 2010, a group of executives from Paramount Health and Beauty Company (Paramount) sat in a research room intently observing a dozen men shaving on the other side of a two-way mirror. The subjects were testing out Paramount's newest nondisposable razor, Clean Edge, and discussing the experience. The verdict was extremely encouraging. The majority of men felt it was the closest, cleanest, and smoothest shave they had encountered. Clean Edge's improved design provided superior performance by utilizing a vibrating technology to stimulate hair follicles and lift the hair from the skin, allowing for a more thorough shave.1 Jackson Randall, product manager for Clean Edge, sat in the darkened observation room considering the positioning strategy for this new product. He had led the new product development process and was now grappling with how to position the product for the upcoming launch. All executives at Paramount agreed Clean Edge should be priced in the super-premium segment of the market. However, some executives believed Clean Edge should be launched as a mainstream entry within that segment, with the broad appeal of being the most effective razor available on the market. Others felt a more differentiated niche strategy, targeting the most intensely involved super-premium consumers, would be optimal...
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...Integration of Video Games in Classrooms Abstract This literature review will explore the effective ways educational video games enhance student motivation in classrooms and the personalized approach of education through video games. It will also explore the adaptation of educational games in classrooms as well as educator’s concerns. The review is limited to the use of video games designed for educational purposes and does not discuss the educational value of the entertainment video games. The review does not discuss the different effects of video games on diverse groups; it focuses primarily elementary to college level students. Video games have been around for over thirty years; they are one of the most lucrative and prominent forms of entertainment across cultures. A total of $20.77 billion was spent in 2012 in the game industry (ESA, Essential Facts about the Computor and Video Game Industry, 2013). The Gaming Industry is changing and adapting every year to the new technological changes. Video games have become an important form of entertainment to society. “U.S. consumers play video games on… Sony PlayStation 3 and the Microsoft Xbox 360 and on personal computers (“PCs”)….on mobile video players such as the PlayStation Portable “PSP”, the Game Boy Advance and the Nintendo DS….“on-line” among multiple players who interconnect over the Internet and other proprietary online networks” (Siwek, 2010). The expanding market of video games and its influence on American...
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...Pornography on Public Library Computers An Ethical Controversy by Bret Clancy Ever since the fall of man the seed of immorality has continued to grow, adapt, and morph like the influenza virus. Pornography is one of those immoral viruses that persistently sicken societies. Scientists continue to make vaccines against the illness and while some are more effective than others, none of them have ever cured the illness. The same can be said of pornography. Defining pornography is not black and white. There are a variety of definitions for pornography and some definitions are used by individuals to help their cases when taking legal action. Merriam-Webster defines pornography as, “the depiction of acts in a sensational manner so as to arouse a quick intense emotional reaction” (merriam-webster.com). Merriam-Webster describes pornography in a docile manner making it appear inviting. The Oxford dictionary defines pornography in a more intense visual cue of the actual intent. The definition states pornography is, “printed or visual material containing the explicit description or display of sexual organs or activity, intended to stimulate sexual excitement” (oxforddictionaries.com). Dictionary.com defines pornography as, “obscene writings, drawings, photographs, or the like, especially those having little or no artistic merit” (dictionary.reference.com). They appeal to the artistic aspect of pornography by stating that pornography is not art because of the obscene nature...
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...Plato’s Republic and Machiavelli’s The Prince are each hugely important texts in the history of philosophy. Even though they were written approximately 1900 years apart, they represent two of the most valuable commentaries on political philosophy. They are of course, very different in their discussions of philosophy, yet some similarities are evident. Plato writes about philosophy through the mouth of Socrates, illustrating indirectly through a lengthy dialogue his own ideas and opinions. As a contrast to this method of narration, Machiavelli writes The Prince as a letter of personal advice to Lorenzo Medici. Within his work, Machiavelli makes numerous recommendations that have earned him the label of a heartless and cruel man. Plato, on the other hand, makes much of his discussion about the true nature of philosophy and the just treatment of all citizens. Despite numerous differences, Plato and Machiavelli each desire the rule of philosophers in their states, but while Plato approaches this with direct rule and education of philosopher-kings, Machiavelli appeals to manipulation and deceit in order to secure the rule of philosophers. Plato’s aim in his political state is for the greatest good of all people, through the best balancing of the natural elements on an individual and political scale. According to Plato, the human soul is comprised of the reasoning part, the spirited part and the appetites. The parallel elements within a city are the rulers, warriors and artisans...
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...I ACKNOWLEDGEMENT This research paper is made possible through the help and support from everyone, including: parents, teachers, family, friends, and in essence, all sentient beings. Especially, please allow me to dedicate my acknowledgment of gratitude toward the following significant advisors and contributors: First and foremost, I would like to thank to Mrs. Juliet Lamug our English Teacher to Mrs. Jocelyn Ligsay the librarian in allowing the researcher to use the library in full accommodation. Second, I would like to thank to Mr. Isabelo V. Agpalza Jr. and Ms. Marissa V. Agpalza to read my Research Paper and to provide valuable advices. Finally, I sincerely thank to my parents, family, and friends, who provide the advice and financial support. The product of this research paper would not be possible without all of them. And I would like also to thank to our Almighty God. The researcher II DEDICATION This Research Paper is lovingly dedicated to our respective parents who have been our constant source of inspiration. They have given us the drive and discipline to tackle any task with enthusiasm and determination. Without their love and support this project would not have been made possible. The researcher III Table of Contents I. Title Page-----------------------------------------------------------I II. Acknowledgement-----------------------------------------------II III. Dedication---------------------------------------------------------III ...
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