In today’s society, there is an overwhelming pressure to meet the standard of beauty that is constantly shoved down our throats by the media. We are bombarded with images of what we “should” look like, and it can be difficult to escape this constant stream of messages telling us we need to change (Callaway 420). One way that the media perpetuates these unrealistic standards is by disproportionately representing certain groups of people. In particular, women of color are underrepresented in mainstream media, which reinforces the notion that white beauty is the only kind of beauty that is valuable or worth aspiring to (Wu et al. 9). This paper analyzes the lack of diversity in media and its impact on social inequality. Using Beyoncé, a black female entertainer, as an example, it discusses how the limited representation of women of color in media contributes to a broader problem of discrimination and prejudice.
Depictions of Gender, Sexuality, Class, and Race In Media
There are several ways in which social inequality is depicted in the media. One common way is depicting different genders, sexualities, classes, and races. For example, women are often shown to be subordinate to men, either in terms of their physical appearance or societal roles. This can affect viewers, including reinforcing existing gender norms and expectations. Similarly, people of lower socioeconomic status are often shown as less intelligent, capable, or worthy the wealthy people (Wong 40). This can lead to feelings of inferiority or resentment among viewers who identify with the disadvantaged groups depicted. Additionally, it can reinforce negative stereotypes about these groups and contribute to further social inequality.
Finally, people of color are often underrepresented or misrepresented in the media. This can result in a lack of positive role models for viewers who belong to these groups. It can also lead to feelings of isolation and exclusion. In some cases, it can even contribute to discrimination and violence against people of color. All of these examples illustrate how the media can play a significant role in perpetuating social inequality. By depicting certain groups as inferior or unworthy, the media reinforces existing power dynamics and creates barriers to equality and opportunity.
The example was chosen: Television Show
When it comes to depictions of gender, sexuality, class, and race in the media, there are countless examples to choose from. This essay focuses on the example of a television show: MTV’s Teen Mom. Teen Mom is a reality television show that follows the lives of several teenage mothers as they navigate motherhood, school, and relationships. The show has been criticized for portraying teenage girls as irresponsible and immature. However, the show provides a realistic portrayal of what it is like to be a teenage mother.
Regardless of whether or not you believe Teen Mom provides an accurate depiction of teenage mothers, there is no denying that the show does portray some aspects of social inequality. For example, the girls on the show are generally from lower-income backgrounds and lack stable parental support. This socioeconomic status often contributes to poor decision-making and limited opportunities in life. As a result, teenage mothers on Teen Mom often struggle with addiction, financial instability, and mental health issues.
While Teen Mom may not be the most positive representation of teenage mothers, it does offer viewers a glimpse into the realities of social inequality. By shining a light on these issues, we can begin to have more honest conversations about classism, poverty, and sexism in our society.
How the Example Relates to the Broader Theme of Social Inequality
The example chosen for this essay is Beyonce’s song “Formation. In this song, Beyonce addresses various forms of social inequality, including race and gender. She speaks specifically to the experiences of black women, who are often doubly marginalized by their race and gender. Beyonce’s lyrics touch on many important issues related to social inequality, such as police brutality, colorism, and socioeconomic disparities. By bringing these issues to the forefront, she is helping to raise awareness about how black women are disproportionately affected by social inequality. In doing so, she is also helping push for change to address these inequalities.
Conclusion
Indeed, the media portrays a misguided image of society’s pressure to meet the minimum standards of beauty requirements. Specifically, it looks down upon the less fortunate people in society instead of looking for means of empowering them. The song “Formation” by Beyoncé is significant because it addresses social inequality in a way that is accessible and relatable for many people. In the song, Beyoncé talks about race, class, and gender in a way that highlights the struggles of black women in America. She also celebrates black culture and encourages listeners to be proud of their heritage. This song is important because it helps to bring awareness to the issue of social inequality. It also offers a positive message of empowerment for black women who often feel marginalized by society. Overall, “Formation” is a practical example of how art can be used to raise awareness about social issues and promote equality. Also, the movie Teen Mom is crucial in this analysis because it reflects precisely what the media perceives of middle and low-income society.
Work Cited
Callaway, Ewen. “The Neanderthal in the family: thirty years after the study of ancient DNA began, it promises to upend our view of the past.” Nature 507.7493 (2014): 414-417.
Wong, Kate. “Neandertal Minds.” Scientific American 312.2 (2015): 36-43.
Wu, Hannah Xiaohan, et al. ““Thinness is beauty”: Predictors of anti-fat attitudes among young Chinese women.” Current Psychology (2021): 1-12.
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