ERIC Number: EJ979442
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2012
Pages: 29
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1938-9809
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Media Impact on Girls in the US, China and India through a Gendered Filter
Holmes, Kristie
Forum on Public Policy Online, v2012 n1 2012
While infanticide or sex selective abortion in rural areas of the world may seem to have little to do with a famous musician who is a domestic abuser from the first world who avoids criminal punishment while being applauded and glamourized, the message going out to girls is consistent: they are not valued in the same way that boys are. In order to make adequate recommendations for change to increase the benefit of media, one must look to its source, its use, and its locale. Media literacy schemes may be seen as a localized plan for significant change, and can certainly be of use. However, its impact will be felt globally by addressing the issue at its source by engaging girls in the creation of media early as a career goal, resulting in lasting transformation, rather than decrying the end products and lack of effective public policy. Being familiar with cultural norms is essential to build impactful educational campaigns. Money can be spent by governments or NGOs to increase positive messages, but if it is not possible for the locals to implement the message in their daily lives through the buy-in of local officials and leaders, lasting change is not possible whether it be in the case of Ms. Feng in China (forced late term abortion by family planning officials) or Mr. Brown (known batterer and singer who continues to be rewarded through fame and fortune, suffering little consequence for his crimes) in the United States. Stealthy advertising campaigns and hidden "cookie gathering" of children's data only further exacerbate the impact of negative messages to girls by gathering information on them about their potential "weaknesses" in the form of desire, and what they search for online (food, beauty, fame) and what they crave to be, or look like in order for corporations to sell to them. And of course, what is sold to them (even in the form of an idea) filters out to their greater society, in the context that they live in. (Contains 11 figures.)
Descriptors: Females, Social Attitudes, Media Literacy, Rural Areas, Foreign Countries, Mass Media Effects, Gender Issues, Gender Bias, Cultural Awareness, Culturally Relevant Education, Social Change, Advertising, Television Viewing, Brain, Interviews, Violence, Adolescents, Pregnancy, Early Parenthood, Social Bias, Corporations, Freedom of Speech, Public Policy
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: China; India; United States
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A