Dr. Pepper – Now even your soda can be sexist!
29 Dec 2011 1 Comment
in Media
Today this was all over the violence prevention listservs and chatter:
That’s right… this is a blatant use of rigid gender stereotypes.This soda is tough and rugged and therefore only suitable for men. I mean, come ON! The slogan is “Dr Pepper TEN, It’s NOT for Women!” Do we really need to go into it more?
Oh wait… we do:
Apparently, Dr. Pepper is all about the rigid gender roles and reinforcing these limiting stereotypes for both men and women. These commercials send very clear messages – men are active, strong and into manly things – like action films, explosions, motorcycles, etc… anything that is NOT girly. Women are then painted as sex objects specifically to look pretty and sensual.
We’ve identified a problem, now what can we do? Several things, actually. We can talk about the pitfalls and consequence of such messages. We can write letters/emails to Dr. Pepper, to media outlets, etc. We can refuse to buy Dr. Pepper’s product. We can also use this as an opportunity to use our media literacy skills! What a great example to help others understand the effects of sexism and stereotypes, but also to understand how the media can shape and influence our value systems.
I challenge you to try this activity. We’ll call it the Dr. Pepper TEN challenge!
Watch the videos again (if you can handle it). While you do so, ask yourself these questions (from the Media Education Foundation):
- Who paid for the media? Why?
- Who is the target audience?
- What text, images or sounds lead you to this conclusion?
- What is the literal meaning of the message?
- What is the unstated or underlying message?
- What values are being presented or expressed?
- What story is not being told?
- Is this a healthy or unhealthy media message? Why?
Are you up to the challenge?
Flash Mob for Shelter House (NWFL)
30 Nov 2011 Leave a Comment
in Events, Media, Prevention, Program
One of our sister centers and fellow DELTA sites (DELTA is our main funding stream through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), Shelter House, coordinated a flash mob at their local shopping center and theater just in time for the release of the final Twilight film. Needless to say, it was a big hit! Check out their hard work below.
Sexual Harassment in Grades 7-12
09 Nov 2011 Leave a Comment
in Resources
Monday, a study was released providing the prevalence of sexual harassment in our schools. The study was done on youth in grades 7-12 and demonstrated some rather startling results. You can read more on the study here. While this information isn’t anything new, it could be very useful for making the case that sexual harassment is an issue that needs to be addressed.
How can we as agents of change use this information to mobilize our schools and communities?
Inspiration Station
07 Nov 2011 Leave a Comment
I know it’s a bit old (from 2007), but a colleague sent this out on the Prevention listserv. It’s wonderfully uplifting and inspirational. The entire basketball team and school show us what compassion and a culture of love and support can do.
Did ‘Family Guy’ go too far?
04 Nov 2011 Leave a Comment
Last week, the hit FOX show, Family Guy, satirized a case of Domestic Violence. The show has come under very heavy criticism for taking it ‘too far’ (See ‘Showbiz Tonight’ Clip), and after watching half of the episode (I couldn’t really handle watching the entire thing), I would have to agree. While the writers of Family Guy have pushed the envelope on many issues and topics, flirting with that fine line between satire and profane, this time they not only perpetuated many myths about domestic violence (abusers are alcoholics, uneducated, jobless deadbeats and the victim is a stupid, weak person that enables such behavior or ‘likes it’), but they also fail to offer any real or useful tools for bystanders to intervene or offer support in a safe way.
The episode begins with Quagmire in the hospital. His sister, Brenda, and her abusive boyfriend, Jeff, go to see him. The verbal abuse and put downs begin immediately and the rest of the group simply looks on. Later in the show, the other characters try to offer support, but end up only victim blaming. The end solution is to kill Jeff (because abuse isn’t a learned behavior and people can’t unlearn the controlling behaviors – sarcasm). What was most disturbing to me was that through out the episode, Peter made jokes that not only continued to reinforce stereotypes and perpetuated myths, but were also abusive and derogatory towards the victim. While I know being upset and outraged will not accomplish anything, I still am. The advocate in me says there’s a teachable moment here, and an opportunity for a dialogue. But where to start?
When you see a piece of media that is particularly outrageous, how do you break it down? Where can we begin dissecting this web of opportunity?
Want more thoughts on the Family Guy episodes? Check out Opt4!
Textual Harassment
18 Oct 2011 Leave a Comment
in Media
It seems that I’m on a bit of a video kick lately. Below is another great campaign for addressing cyber bullying and textual harassment. As technology changes and becomes more of the norm in young people’s lives, it also becomes more commonly used tool for spreading hate. We definitely need to address the root causes of bullying and peer violence when we address root causes of intimate partner violence since they have many of the same risk and protective factors. In plain speak – the skills and methods developed to bully an individual are the same ones used to put down or abuse an intimate partner.
While I really like the ‘A Thin Line’ campaign, I think this particular video lacks something for the viewer to do. Great way to raise awareness and define the problem… but now what? Maybe that’s where we can step in. What can we do to prevent cyber bullying?
Miss Representation Documentary
17 Oct 2011 Leave a Comment
in Media
One of the many ways we work to address root causes of intimate partner violence is through media literacy. The media, as we’ve discussed time and time again, is one place where we receive so many messages about… everything. It is a powerful tool, but also one of the mechanisms that perpetuates violence and unhealthy relationship skills and ideas. A 2010 Sundance Documentary, Miss Representation, explores this mechanism and offers some very critical and powerful glimpses into how the media influences our lives and world.
How do movies and films such as this effect your perception?
Monsters in the Closet
27 Sep 2011 Leave a Comment
in Prevention
Check out this new PSA put out by the Verizon Foundation. Just in time for Domestic Violence Awareness Month (October). The video does a great job discussing the cycle of violence and the effects witnessing violence in the home has on youth.
What are your thoughts? What are other ways of raising awareness?
Advertisements or Child Pornography?
22 Sep 2011 Leave a Comment
I couldn’t help but notice the startling trend in several articles lately. Maybe it’s just me, or maybe there’s something in the water. Regardless of if there is some catalyst or simply my increased awareness, I can’t help but feel queazy at this increase and hyper-sexualization of girls. Not just teens and tween that’s been the trend for several decades, but young girls. Prepubescent girls who want nothing more than to play and learn (like all children). While I know this has been an issue plaguing our culture and is one of the many mechanisms in which young girls are trained, conditioned and socialized on proper gender roles, I can’t help but to continue to feel outraged and downright nauseous.
There are two articles that have been glaring red spots on our radar, one reports of a mom making her 4-year-old wear fake breasts for a beauty pageant, and the other is a new French line of lingerie for girls. Both make the startling statement that girls can (and should) be viewed in a sexual manner and it is ok to objectify them for an sake of selling your product. Jean Kilbourne has been discussing the objectification of women in advertisements since the 1970s. One of her main arguments bringing to light that this objectification and dehumanization of women and girls makes it ok to enact violence against them. Think about it. If we don’t see women and girls as human, but instead a collection of body parts and pieces, then we don’t need to treat them as such. This type of break down brings with it several things, but most importantly clear messages to both adults and youth. It also reinforces very rigid gender stereotypes about females and males. Especially what their roles and interests should be. It takes the Disney Princess hoopla to an entirely new level – above the pink and frilly to the seductive and sexual.
How do these examples contribute to violence against women? Do they? What other messages can this be sending our girls?
Big Win for Women’s Healthcare
08 Aug 2011 Leave a Comment
in News
Last week, a new law was passed in efforts to make preventative healthcare more accessible to all women. The law requires that health insurance providers must provide birth control for no co-pay. In addition, health insurance providers must also cover breast pumps for nursing women, annual “well-woman” physicals, screenings for viruses that cause cervical cancer and diabetes during pregnancy, counseling services for domestic violence survivors, and other services without co-pay. The law is based on existing scientific and medical literature which harps on the benefits of preventative health care. While the monetary value will be made up by spreading the cost of other insurance holders and result in higher premiums, it ultimately helps ensure women are able to access the necessary resources for preventing unintended pregnancies and other preventable illnesses/diseases.You can read more about the piece of legislation here.
Through preventing unintended pregnancies and providing the access to necessary contraceptives and information, we are empowering the women in our communities. We know that unintended pregnancy is often the reason girls drop out of school or don’t pursue additional educational opportunities. It also allows women to plan and space births allowing their bodies to recover after a pregnancy. Access to birth control and reproductive services through health insurance is even more important as we see free or cost-reduced providers (such as Planned Parenthood) come under attack and lose funding. In addition, providing easier access to counseling services is another huge win! Not only will this allow survivors access to much needed counseling services, but it could also allow providers easier access or leverage to obtain necessary specialized training on domestic violence.
However, there are a few additional items to consider. Since the cost will be made up elsewhere or in higher premiums, this could limit who is able to afford health insurance. This also does not provide any additional access to the almost 53 million uninsured Americans. In short, the new law is a huge win and step in the right direction. It’s a testament to what can be achieved if we continue to work for equality for all walks of life. We will celebrate this victory and use it as motivation to keep moving and working for change.
