SVU response

Televisions "New" Feminism: Prime Time Representations of Women and Victimization



Cuklanz and Moorti: Some of the storylines condemn aspects of feminine behavior and character, including empathy and intuition.



Lesley: I would agree with this statement you guys are making. This show appears to look down upon women who are loving mothers and punishes them for caring so much. The women on the SVU team are tough and masculine and it shows that they can accomplish anything and dangerous situations don't happen to them. It appears to portray the nuturing women in a dangerous light because they are so loving and feminine that they are willing to do anything for their kids or such for example. They appear to be helpless and uncapable of defending themselves.



Cuklanz and Moorti: Thus, in SVU narrarates the home, the primary arena of women's activities and the site of feminine qualities of nuturing, caregiving, and affect is presented repeatedly as the site within which a dangerous maternal instint motivates women to commit heinous crimes.



Lesley: Again, I'd say I have to agree. There are many instances in the show that take place in the home. Either by an outside person breaking in, or the people in the home themselves. It is saying that the home is the site where the motherly tendencies take place and that is why the attacks are made so often there. I don't think that should be the case. We should not blame women's nuturing and loving qualities (which God gave them) on the cause for crime and rape. Yes, there are women who are psychologically disturbed and they do commit awful acts, but we cannot stereotype every loving mother that way. All women that show feminine characteristics should not be prompted to commit a crime or be a victim of rape. And, they should show some of those women in a tougher light. For example, if they love their family so much, they should be shown as trying to stand up and fight for them and defend themselves.

HRC

“Such an analysis reveals the ways in which the mediation practices of television news naturalize HRC’s image, resulting in a more dominant and evolving collective memory of someone who has been called one of the “most loved and hated presidential wives in American history” (Gould, 1996, p. 641).”
This statement is very true. Especially when referring to the fact that Hilary Clinton is indeed one of history’s most loved and hated women. She is more famous than a celebrity and more powerful than many political figures, yet many feel she lacks some important qualities. I for one am not a fan of Mrs. Clinton, but nevertheless, I will agree that she is a very smart, successful, and strong woman. She is fearless and should be feared herself. Even though Hilary Clinton had the vote of many Americans, she still was criticized for her appearance and everyone knows about the reference to her pant suits. Media has such a huge influence on society today and it truly affects the views and opinions of us Americans as a whole. Why do we bash and look down upon strong women? Are they not any better than a man? Is it truly because of their clothing and makeup? I would agree that our country has much bigger things going on and more important things to worry about then whether Hilary is wearing another pant suit. No one thought twice about her former husband’s appearance. Women deserve to be treated as equal and given the same chance to prove themselves to America as the great women they are, whether it be Hilary Clinton, or Sarah Palin.

Commercialization issues

In the article "Two Ways a Woman Can Get Hurt" by Kilbourne, it says "It is also more about power than passion, violence than violins." In this statement Kilbourne is mainly referring to sex in advertisements as an act rather than the gender but this statement does pertain to my ad that I used for my analysis. The ad is about power and control and how women have the right to be that way. The statement could definitely refer to the fact that women want more power than passion, more violence than violins. Perhaps the violence is an understatement, but in today's society women definitely see the effects of our economy our the challenges in our world and wish for not only world peace, but to fight for whats right and to stand up. They dont long for the mellow romancing of violins, but rather the independance and power over one's self and life. My ad portrays these qualities in a sense because it reveals the "Rosie the Rivetor" housewife and that eludes to the fact of a new era and change in dominance for women. The article also states, "There is a world of difference between the objection of men and that of women. The most important difference is that there is no danger for most men, whereas objectified women are always at risk." Again this thought is made in reference to the ideas of violence, rape, and murder, but it can also be seen through my ad. It is safe to say that in commercials and ads, men can do or act however they wish and be seen in whatever light the advertising company wishes to portray them. Women on the other hand get judged and criticized for the way they appear and the ideas they portray through the advertisements. Women are certainly up for more risk in the society in which my ad was set in which was the 1950s time era. But even though society and our culture has evolved much, women are still at a higher risk than men are. This becomes even more of an issue when women challenge the roll and power of men and appear to have more dominiance and capability.