Miss Representation.

Met a man at a Christmas party the other night. After talking to him for 2 seconds he said, with the most arrogance I've ever heard..

'You don't need to do anything else, you've already seduced me with your voice, let's go.'

Most certainly popping on my feminist hat right now.

That comment is everything wrong with the world today, specifically male attitudes to women, and media portrayal of women. I recently watched an amazing documentary called Miss Representation, discussing these issues. Their over-sexualisation and objectification in media, the subsequent impact on society, how women are treated as a direct result of media representation.
It's all quite sickening. But knowledge is power, baby.

Back to the party, Mr Charmer (and I am not at all suggesting the view of this loser reflects the entire sphere of male opinion) is obviously under the impression that as a woman, I am present for the sole purpose of looking hot/flirtation/seduction. With the end goal of hanging off his arm, trophy style/him getting some action.

Where does he get the idea, the tiniest shred of notion that not only is it okay to have these ideas, but that it is acceptable to unashamedly mention them in conversation?

In my opinion, the answer is, Media. Women are so openly trashed on tv, books, the Internet and film that I struggle myself to see their portrayed purpose beyond looks, sex, and male affiliation.

It's all well and good for the adult women of the world (though research shows we have a truckload of image issues ourselves) but I worry for the girls and teenagers.
The 8 year old anorexics & 14 year old self harmers immersed in a media world portraying images of women, faces and bodies they could never live up to.
Honestly, I could write about this for a lot longer. I know there's no quick fix, by a long shot. But Jennifer Siebel and her documentary make a hugely positive start.

Get involved in the movement: MissRepresentation.org

Here's the trailer: MissRepresentationTrailer

Twitter: #NotBuyingIt to name & shame sexist/offensive media  MissRepresentationTwitter