Image Of Women In The 20th Century

In the early twentieth century, women were still expected to be the “good” housewife and mother, but more educational and career opportunities became accessible. More women were able to work their way into the music industry and although discrimination and inequality were rampant, women were performing in public more than ever. Eager to take advantage of the opportunities, groups like the Ziegfield Follies sprung up. Talented singers and dancers, the “show-girls” of the Ziegfield Follies were known as “the most beautiful women in the world.” The women who performed with the Follies created an image for themselves defined by beauty, sex appeal, and power. Although women were able to become successful in the music industry, success was not …show more content…
Reception of such portrayals will vary, but the individuals themselves are the primary influence on their social image. In the last century alone, the doors to the entertainment industry have been opened wide for women. Discrimination endures and inequality persists, but women have more opportunity to shape their image than ever before. With the passage of time, more unique images of women have been created, and the twenty-first century is no exception. Women are no longer solely expected to be a housewife and mother, they can pursue careers and live independent of men. Aspects of historical gender roles lingers, but generalizations regarding the image of women are not as easily made. Whether positive or negative, women are at the wheel when it comes to creating their image in media. Celebrities must be even more vigilant of how they present themselves now as improvement to technology and social media has made their image include nearly every aspect of their life, public and …show more content…
Gender roles have evolved, and societal expectations of women along with it. Whether expected to submit to a male dominated society or given the freedom to forge their own individual image, the words and actions of a woman shape the lasting image only they can create. When the intention of an individual is mistranslated in reception, a woman can create an image they had not wanted. Wanted or not, however, women and men alike have the power to control their image in society through their actions and lifestyle. Society and men may limit the opportunities woman can take advantage of, and in extension affect their image, but women still have the opportunity to shape their image via choosing to conform or transcend expectations of society. Thus, the author of the article in the Scranton Times was not out of line when he made the claim that “women are solely responsible for their image in mass media”. On the contrary, he was right. Women still live in a society of discrimination and male dominance, though less apparent, but they possess the power to either challenge or accept the image society and media assigns them, and create their own unique