BLOG: Confusion about sexual representation in media
Sexual Dysfunction
By Corey Cook, Staff Writer
May 17, 2008 | noon
Sex as represented in the media is more confusing at times than Paula Abdul on “American Idol.” On one hand, the media seems to give a horrible view of sex for profit or pure entertainment. However, it can also be a positive tool for discussion. Whatever side you are on, this uneven representation of sex in the media can cause for some confusing and uncomfortable situations.
Advertising is one example of this double agenda on sexuality portrayed in the media. Everything from Paris Hilton selling Carl's Jr. hamburgers to Fabio promoting Nationwide Insurance seems to have some degree of sexuality about it. This emphasis on sexual advertising has proven to be very lucrative, while degrading to people at the same time. These advertisements promote exaggerated lifestyles where everything seems almost completely perfect (which is helped out by the amount of Photoshop and other tricks to make the people in these ads seem perfect).
While it may seem that this new emphasis on sex in advertising can be interpreted as a bad thing, there have been many good things that have come out of it, too. Without advertising for medical pills like Viagra or Levitra, it would not be common for men to talk about having erectile dysfunction. Also, advertisers have wised up to complaints about body image, and some companies are using “real people” to promote their products, such as Dove’s Campaign for Real Beauty. Even with some of the good that comes with that kind of advertising, one cannot deny the presence of sex in advertising or its negative effect.
Another confusing aspect of sexual representation is seen in television, specifically reality TV. Reality TV shows can portray the best and worst of sexual representation. Think about all of the reality shows that are popular right now where sexuality can be seen: “America's Next Top Model,” “Survivor,” “American Idol.” Sexuality can even been seen on shows about getting fit like “Celebrity Fit Club” or “The Biggest Loser.” On one hand, shows like these can be seen as very good representations of how “everyday people” view sex and sexuality. On the other hand, the sexual aspect of reality TV no longer has that same glare because almost every reality TV show seems to have some degree of sexuality in it, and shows like “The Biggest Loser” display the pressures put on “everyday people” to seem desirable by the media's standards.
Then, however, there are reality shows that take it to the extreme. Remember the show, “The Swan,” where women had a complete body makeover and competed in a beauty pageant? Or shows like “Extreme Makeover” where people literally have hundreds of dollars spent on themselves for a full body makeover? Ask yourself these questions: Where do we draw the line on these shows? Are they going far beyond promoting positive sexual expression or just doing it for entertainment?
How we see sex and how the media interprets this vision is a very complicated thing. No one seems to get one side of this argument correct without the expense of the other side. Until we are all truly comfortable in our own skin we will never be able to figure out how to correctly show our views on sex.
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