Representation In Media

In our class we recently learned about representation in the media. Representation is about how people, groups, and cultures are shown in things like books, tv shows, movies, and magazines. It plays a big role in shaping how we see ourselves and others. Good representation helps people feel understood and included, while bad or missing representation can spread harmful stereotypes or leave people feeling ignored. In this blog, I will be talking about representation in media and how accurate or inaccurate representation can be.

The 2023 "Barbie" movie explores what it means to be a woman, how society views women, and how we can be ourselves, all through the lens of the famous Barbie doll. Im talking about this from experience where I had to deal with certain stereotypes and what its like being a teenage girl. The movie does a great job showing the challenges women face, like societal expectations and stereotypes, while also celebrating the unique ways women express themselves. It uses humor and heart to send its message, but because it’s set in a fantasy world, it might not fully reflect real-life struggles. Greta Gerwig, a well-known female filmmaker, directed the movie. She worked with a diverse team to bring real meaning and depth to the story. Since she is a women she could fully understand what it is like being a women everyday and everything women go though. Greta Gerwig’s experiences as a woman help make the movie relatable and genuine. While not every part of the film matches my life exactly, its message connects with many experiences that women share.

The 2004 "Mean Girls" movie shows the drama and social challenges of high school, especially for teen girls. This movie goes well for me because I had dealt with drama caused my girls, rumors and struggles a teenage girl can go through during high school. The movie does a good job showing cliques, peer pressure, and how teens try to fit in. Some of the situations are exaggerated for humor, so it doesn’t always reflect real life, but the feelings and social struggles feel very relatable. Tina Fey wrote the movie, inspired by the book "Queen Bees and Wannabes" by Rosalind Wiseman. Fey used her observations of teen life to create the story, but since she was an adult at the time, her view is more from an outsider’s perspective. This movie definitely represents some parts of me and other teenage girls because it shows the struggles of being a teenage girl, focusing on friendships, social pressure, and the need to fit in. It uses humor to show how gossip, insecurities, and group drama affect their relationships and choices.

Tall girl (2019) does a good job highlighting some of the insecurities tall teenage girls may face, like feeling out of place, being teased, or struggling with confidence. However, the movie focuses heavily on height as the main issue and doesn’t show much depth about other aspects of being a teen. Me myself once was the tallest girl in my grade and I can relate about the fact that I did not have full confidence about my height since I was taller than most of the boys and girls in my school. There were also tall guys but its not the same as being a tall girl. While relatable to some, Tall girl doesn't fully represent the experiences of all tall girls or teenagers in general. The movie was written by Sam Wolfson and directed by Nzingha Stewart, both adults. While they likely drew from personal experiences or research, they are not teenage girls themselves, which might explain why some parts feel simplified or exaggerated.The creators aren’t teenage girls, but the movie tries to tell a story that resonates with teens, especially those who feel different. While the emotions of wanting to belong and gain confidence are relatable, the focus on height as the main issue might not connect with everyone.