Pulling apart the effects of the media in "Unlearning the Myths That Bind Us"

a).
Text title: Unlearning the Myths That Bind Us
Author: Linda Christensen 

b).  I have chosen QUOTES: Choose three quotes from the text and explain what they mean and their relevance to the text.

The first quote I have chosen is on page 126. “Our society’s culture industry colonizes their mind and teaches them how to act, live, and dream. This indoctrination hits young children hard,”(Christensen, 126). This quote sums up what the whole article talks about. The article talks about how the media, such as the television, gives us the image(s) of how people should act in the world, and how the images portrayed are what is normal when in reality it is not. Everything outside the images are considered to be outside the norm. As seen further in the text, the industry teaches young minds about who and what are the dominant sex, race, religion, class, etc. We learn these things at such a young age, and may not even realize it until we are older. I really never thought about it until becoming a Gender and Women studies major. I am sure you all have seen a Disney show or film, and can point out the distorted views that it can show.

The second (long!) quote I have chosen is on page 128 in the middle of the page. “Many students don’t want to believe that they have been manipulated by children’s media or advertising. No one wants to admit that they’ve been “handled” by the media. They assure me that they make their own choices and the media has no power over them-as they sit with Fubu, Nike, Timberlands or whatever the latest fashion rage might be,”(Christensen, 128).  After reading this, sadly I have to admit I was once manipulated by children’s media or advertising. Were you? There are so many unrealistic images of how women and men should act that are clearly shown in Disney movies/cartoons. Disney movies give an image of what is “beautiful”, who is “powerful”, who gets the guys/girls, and different gender expectations. Disney movies/characters impacts peoples’ self-perception and self-esteem. Since young girls and boys watch these movies, unrealistic ideas begin to form in their minds and they may not understand what is reality versus make believe. Throughout the article it talks about the ways we are manipulated by children’s media or advertising.  Some ways that were presented included the ways in which we “behave, think, react to things,”(Christensen, 129). One example is the way the movies can impact peoples’ self-esteem and self-perception on what defines beauty.  All of the Disney princesses, including Belle, The Little Mermaid, Cinderella, etc., all have thin bodies, beautiful hair, and of course end up with a handsome MAN. Why must these princesses all end up with a man?

The third quote I have chosen is on page 130. “Students are quick to find the usual stereotypes on their own: “Look, Ursula the sea which is ugly and smart. Hey, she’s kind of dark looking. The young, pretty ones only want to book their man; the old pretty ones are mean because they are losing their looks,”(Christensen, 130).  This quote is also relevant throughout the whole text.  As young people are viewing these movies/shows/cartoons/etc., they are getting the wrong image in their head on what/who gives you power, what gets you love, etc.  These Disney movies show how the only way a man can fall in love with you, is if you are beautiful. If you are not beautiful, a man will not even pay attention to you. What kind of example is this setting for young children? This may be why there are so many cases of eating disorders in young girls. I still do enjoy watching Disney movies but think since I became a Gender studies Major, it has opened my eyes to the different ways media can affect people. I am now able to point out the effects of gender expectations and how such things like Disney movies may impact people’s self -perception or self-esteem about themselves and other individuals.

One of the points I would like to further discuss in class would be the effects that the Disney movies and cartoons are bringing to the younger generations. Do you believe that the media is giving a good image(s) to the young audience who is watching? Most of the Disney shows/movies that I have watched consist of white, heterosexual women and men.  I believe there should be a more diverse group of characters portrayed in these movies/cartoons. The images that the media is giving are not healthy images. These images include the roles of women, men, people of color, overweight women/men, and poor/rich/etc. Something else that I found interesting in the reading is the idea of having a black Cinderella. How about a black and lesbian Cinderella?  Children should not get this idea that only white women are capable of being a princess and falling in love.  This would create such a social change.