Solution

The Solution

In order to make a change in the portrayal of women in the media mind sets and the media itself must change. Small contributions and steps can be taken, as well as large.

Campaigns

There are many campaigns and organizations dedicated to changing the perception of beauty and women to the world and media. 

Dove Campaign for Real Beauty is a campaign by Dove that was launched in 2004. It's goals are many, but the main one is to redefine beauty to apply to all women. Money can be donated to the campaign, or time can be donated. Chapters can be started in any town and anyone can join the campaign for Real Beauty. The campaign has faced criticism, mainly being that Dove is owned by the same company that owns Axe, as well as other products, which advertise and go completely against what the Campaign for Real Beauty stands for. Critics say that perhaps the campaign is publicity stunt. 

Miss Representation is an organization and campaign similar to Dove's. Miss Representation "is a call-to-action campaign that seeks to empower women and girls to challenge limiting labels in order to realize their potential, and to encourage men and boys to stand up to sexism." To get involved in the campaign one simply has can donate money or become more educated on the campaign. Classes can be taken through the campaign and one can become a representative for the campaign in one's town. A documentary film was made by the campaign and can be viewed to further educate oneself on women's portrayal in the media and how it can be changed. 

The trailer to the documentary Miss Representation, a film on the media's effect on women's lives and perception of women to themselves and everyone else around them, shows the problem (the media), the negative effects (the perception of women to all) and the solution (changing how women are viewed through demonstration, information and demand). 

Newsom, Jennifer Siebel, dir. Miss Representation. You Tube. N.p., 2011. Web. 10 Apr. 2012. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gkIiV6konY>.

Education on the Topic

A simple way to make a change is to further educate oneself on the portrayal of women in the media. This can be done by looking at the previously mentioned campaigns of simply being more aware. Now further educated on women in the media through this blog, awareness to the problem can lead to change. When watching advertisements or looking through a magazine filled with celebrities remember the facts and the impossible mold the media has made for women to fit.

Break the Mold

Instead of supporting the media's unnatural portrayal of women in the media, break the mold that the media has set. If there are magazines that have unnaturally skinny models in them, send letters to the editor. Tell the magazines the problems with the media's portrayal of women. If enough people fight to break the mold, then the mold will break. If there are advertisements that feature unnatural or demeaning pictures of women, don't buy the product. Boycott it. Send letters to the product being advertised, the same letter that can be sent to magazines. The mold can be broken, it just needs enough people pushing to break it. 

Spread the Word

Being educated on women in the media is a great step in the right direction to changing the perception of women and beauty, but even more can be done. Tell others. Spread the word. Educate your friends on the media and women portrayal in it. Post messages on facebook about different campaigns of facts about the portrayal of women in the media. The more people who know about the horrid portrayal of women in the media and how it negatively effects women of all ages, the more change and supporters will be gained. 

Final Thoughts

Changing the media's portrayal of women won't be easy, but it starts with you. If you want change, then make change. Take steps to make a difference. No matter how big or small the help, it will make a difference.