Doing gender in media, art and culture - Essay Example

Running Head: JOURNAL NO. 3 Journal No. 3 [The of the will appear here] [The of the will appear here] [The of the Professor] [Course] Women have always been subjected as a prototype of sexuality. From advertisement to religious debates, there is always a subtle or direct hint towards their sexuality. While the most desirable male is characterized as a rugged handsome man, women are shown as objects of sex and desire (Kesselman, McNair and Schniedewind, 2006). Though cultures differ in their treatment and image of the women, none of the cultures have been truly able to separate women from sexuality.

Women in Islam are the most controversial figures since the advent of modernity. We can never understand how the Islamic woman accepts her low status in Islam and how can she remain happy behind the suffocating veil as a faceless identity. When I first brought up the issue with a Islamic woman friend, she refused to give her opinion despite the fact that she covered her hair with a scarf. But later her reply surprised me. According to her, women in Islam have been able to reach a status that most feminists around the world demand and that is the de-objectifying of the sexual image of women.

The Muslim Women can reach a status where they would have to prove their mettle without the help of the sexuality. This reminded me to great extent of Ugly Betty who was able to create an identity for herself despite her appearance in the fashion industry that is highly characterized by women who ooze sexuality. When talking about women and sexuality one cannot forget the evergreen Barbie doll. Barbie has created an identity for herself in a world that is mostly male dominant. Her personality is such that she is the first toy to be cast in wax at Madam Tussauds and one without her Ken (Buikema and Tuin, 2009).

Barbie has been able to accept her sexuality and has risen above the males in most cases. Though Barbie is just another doll, albeit a popular one, she is an inspiration to many. But while Barbie can provide inspiration to many, she continues to be just a white doll. The pressing question is: can Barbie hope to be a role model for other ethnic and racial groups? References Buikema, R, and Tuin, I. V. D (2009), ‘Doing gender in media, art and culture’. New York: Taylor & Francis Publications Kesselman, A.

, McNair, L. S. and Schniedewind, N. (2006), Women Images and Realities, A Multicultural Anthology. New York: McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., Fourth Edition