This paper tries to explore the white female stereotypes in the media and thereafter gives the consequences. However, before the explanations, it is necessary to give the meaning of stereotype. It refers to a belief about a certain group of people with regard to their style of doing things. White females are perceived to be superior to the black females and this forms the origin of this racial stereotype.
The media has made profound efforts to make sure that white women are used particularly in advertisements and entertainment to capture the attention of the audience. White female stereotypes in the media have made children to believe that white women are beautiful than black women (Collins126).
Consequently, the use of white women in the media, for example, in television and the newspapers has enormously contributed to the growth of the media industry. Today, images of white girls and women are normally portrayed in the media, and they are empowered. On the other hand, black women and girls tend to think that they are ‘less women’ since in the course of these adverts, their self-esteem is lowered (Collins149).
In most instances, the images that are in the media are of exceptionally slim white girls and women, and this sends a negative image to those women that have bigger bodies. Thus, although there are many media stereotypes, white girls and women stereotypes are the most prevalent and the media use it mostly to influence the society negatively.
Apparently, images of white women that are scantily dressed are everywhere. Advertisements that are aired in the television have images of white women that are seductively displayed, with the degree of seduction varying with the nature of the product being advertised. In addition, there are also magazines that have articles that have images of slim white women.
Some of these images try to explain how women can easily lose weight as well as give the importance of weight loss. These advantages may include a sensational sex life, healthy children or a comfortable marriage. The main challenge that faces the audience is failure to realize that the beauty that is displayed by these white women is almost unattainable and they should not try to imitate them (Collins141-142).
Some of the black women are even depressed by their ‘incompleteness’ and they may even end up skipping meals all in an effort to slim. This is because they feel their bodies are insecure, and they can purchase beauty products at whatever cost or even adopt expensive dietary measures in order to boost their self-esteem. This makes the cosmetic and dietary industries to make exorbitant profits.
White girls and women stereotypes have also been used to portray sex and relationships in the media. Through advertisements, these women and girls are displayed to be sexually attractive by exposing their body parts. This sends an extremely negative image to the audience (especially men), and they may use it to compare the attractiveness in different women. Provocative images of white women are used to lure men.
The image of these women is belittled since they are viewed more as sex objects than human beings. However, the media, like any other business, is profit oriented and it makes good money through such displays. The idea of media stereotyping has made most young people believe that the media is better placed in explaining sexual matters. As such young people mostly rely on the media to be informed on such matters.
Therefore, many women have an impression that for one to be sexually attractive and physically admirable, one must be thin. On the contrary, there are images of women that are displayed in the advertisement, to show the other side of romance. Images of women who are sexually harassed are common in either magazines or television.
Interestingly, here the media is concerned with the life of young people and it illustrates how sometimes relationships are disastrous. By so doing, the media plays a particularly crucial role in educating the youths. Stereotype tries to show that women are vulnerable to sexual abuse and they should always be keen since they are potential victims.
White girls and women stereotypes in the media have adverse effects to the social world as a whole. This can be explained by the fact that it is through adverts that are displayed on televisions and magazines that young people develop an element of associating being slim with beauty, for example. Consequently, the girls may even go without food in order to be sexually attractive.
On the other hand, since most images of the white girls and women are linked with products that are thought to add beauty, women have to buy expensive products in order to live up to these ideal images. In cases where there are financial constraints, women may even sacrifice the most essential needs. The other effect of this stereotype in the media is that morals in the society are eroded (Amundson 34-35).
Women are used as sex objects in advertising matters relating to sex and relationships. In some instances, women have been coerced to sexual activities or abused sexually by men. Indeed, white women stereotype is the most commonly used by media.
Works Cited
Amundson, Daniel. Media Coverage of Religion in America. New York: Center for Media and Public Affairs. 2000. Print.
Collins, Patricia, Hill. Black Feminist Thought: Knowledge, Consciousness, and the Politics of Empowerment. New York: Routledge. 2000. Print.