The Portrayal of Genders in Media

Catholic Social Teachings

• This add is advertising Skyy Vodka

• The ad suggest that if you drink Skyy vodka you are desirable, and drinking this vodka will lead to sexual situations

Trends in the Media

• The man is standing in a very aggressive stance while straddling her

1. Dignity of the Human Person

• All humans were created in the image and likeness of God, so we pick up some type of worth of dignity. We are sacred in God but is not always shown in this light.
• The problem is that these ads don't show that we are dignified in God, it rather shows that we are degraded in God.
• The problem lies within the self, being okay with how the media portrays men and women to be. With this, we are not respecting ourselves and we are not respecting God's plan for us.
• We do not respect human dignity by wearing provocative clothing or posing in any provocative way.
• We do not respect human dignity by violating personal space and/ or appearing to be aggressive.
• The biggest problem is self respect and that only comes in understanding your worth in God. Then it will be clear how one should and should not be treated or portrayed.

Superiority and Domination

• The woman is portrayed as a mere sexual object, rather than a respectable human being

• The mans physical size and standing position in relation to the woman implies man's control

The Portrayal of Genders in Media

By: Ashlee King

• The man's superiority is clear in the professional clothes he wears and the fact that he is looking down on the woman

2. Common Good and Community

• We must be dignified in ourselves and apply it to the relationships we have with others in order to achieve fulfillment of community. You must love yourself before you love others so that you know the right way to be loved and respected.
• We must learn to accept and love all people of all different races, heights, genders, shapes and sizes. We must be inclusive and showcase everyone which contributes to the good of the whole society.
• We must show our everyday positive relationships in the ads shown today rather than to publicize aggressive relationships as a norm in the human community.
• We must show the positives concerning men and women, that ultimately elevate rather than degrade.
• We must work together as a community under the goodness of God and get to that place where everyone is respected, and everyone feels comfortable in their own skin because of the support given by the greater community.

• The ad portrays a materialistic, high-class, lavish lifestyle

Male Approval

• The woman has a nice tanned and skinny body, wearing a bikini with large appearing breasts therefore in the eyes of the man is sexually attractive.

• The act of the woman taking of her glasses, shows her interest and submission to the man otherwise being available in the man's eyes.

• The fact that the picture shows that the woman has the ability to choose whether or not she wants to continue interacting with the man, an remains, shows her obedience towards him. Males like a woman who will listen.

• The woman appears to be peeling her sunglasses off her face as she contemplates giving the man her attention

Irrelevant Sexualization

• This add suggests that upon drinking the vodka, sex will follow

• This add also suggests that the ideal vacation also includes drinks, attractive men and women and sex

• Other models or females will view this and assume that they have to conform to the ideal views of women, with respect to this ad; big breasts and a slim body

• The man stands sexually over the half-naked woman

Clowning and Exaggeration

• The women's body is looked at to be very unrealistically thin with big breasts, looking very unnatural. She also is submissive.
• The man is portrayed as very powerful and strong as he plays a dominant role as a sexual aggressor over the female by sanding over her.

• The woman is half naked wearing a small fitted bikini to showcase her breasts

• He holds two martini glasses and a full bottle of Skyy Vodka

• The woman appears to be tanning on the beach

Reflection

• We need to be inclusive of all genders, sizes, sexualities, and not stick to one desired type of male and female. Therefore everyone will be equally represented in the media.
• We can hold a press conference where men and women can state their opinions on what is appropriate and what is not an appropriate representation of males and females in our society, so that everyone's voices are heard.
• Include a wide share of women and men occupying all roles equally so that all positions and jobs are diverse and equally represented.
• Society needs to change their overall mindset so others will stop comparing themselves to the false ads that are seen in the media.

What does the Bible Say?

Titus 2:7

1 Timothy 2:9-10

Titus 2:7 New Living Translation (NLT)

7 And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching.

1 Timothy 2:9-10 New Living Translation (NLT)

And I want women to be modest in their appearance. They should wear decent and appropriate clothing and not draw attention to themselves by the way they fix their hair or by wearing gold or pearls or expensive clothes. For women who claim to be devoted to God should make themselves attractive by the good things they do.

1 Corinthians 6:18-20

1 Corinthians 10:33

• Everyone in the media should reflect the good works of the organization.
• No one should feel as though they are being used to covey a sexual message
• Both men and women should be portrayed as realistic and relatable human beings that can be proudly looked up to.

• God wants us to be attractive in what we do not by what we wear.
• Women must appear to be modest which results in drawing less attention to the self
• In the ads seen today, women should fulfill a good task therefore being attractive in the good actions done onto others or things
• Since good made us in his likeness, we should not focus on making yourself look better, the focus should be on our character and attitude towards the well being of others.

1 Corinthians 6:18-20 New Living Translation (NLT)

Run from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body. Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.

1 Corinthians 10:33 New Living Translation (NLT)

I, too, try to please everyone in everything I do. I don’t just do what is best for me; I do what is best for others so that many may be saved.

• God is saying one should value them self higher and not sin against your own body because that only leads to self harm.
• God gave you your body so it should to used to honor God rather than to degrade God.
• Those in the media should use their body's to reflect God's love in a positive light ex. giving back

• God is saying that we must look out for others, be selfless and be more like him.
• If we see anything in the media that is degrading we must come together as a community and work through the issue together.
• In the media others should be treated just like how Jesus treats us; with respect. Anything that does not reflect the love of God should not be publicized.