MuchMusic | Media Education | BookTelevision

Womaging

Program Length: 1/2 hour
Produced: 2000

Introduction

The pressure is on for women to fit into an idealized definition of beauty. This program examines issues of female image and happiness. It looks at a variety of female images, and interviews female performers to understand the connection between images of women -- Womaging -- and the oppression of women's freedom to display their own bodies.

The following discussion activities appear chronologically as they occur in the program. Discussion leaders may use them all, or select those that best suit the group and the time frame.

Another MuchMusic Cable in the Classroom video and study guide that complements Womaging is Girl Power: Diet Pop or the Real Thing?, which addresses the difficulty of being sexy - and respected.

The hosts begin the show with two compelling statements: “We're living in an image-conscious society where your body can make or break your career in music. Women in this business are doubly scrutinized, as much for their image as for their music. In an age of plastic surgery, the pressure is on for women to fit an idealized (notion of) beauty.”

1. The Womaging video opens with scenes from TLC's “Unpretty”, a music video that describes the unfair pressure on and suffering of some women when they attempt to fit into “an idealized beauty.” After the scenes, Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins says, "I think if we all worked on ourselves as individuals we'd all be better people in the world today."

Is the main message of “Unpretty” that women are suffering by trying to fit into someone else's definitions of beauty? Are there other messages? Are the members of TLC stating their own individuality in “Unpretty”, or are they examples of trying to fit into an idealized notion of beauty? Explain.

How do the males in “Unpretty” contribute to women's feelings of inadequacy? How can males help to eliminate women's feelings of inadequacy?

Do males suffer from this same sense of inadequacy with their bodies? How? Is their suffering as extreme as females? Why? Do males have their own set of inadequacies, or are they relatively free of these feelings?

2. Britney Spears is seen in a recent video, while fans discuss, “Did she or didn't she have breast enhancement?” One fan states that, if she did, it means that it's OK for others to do the same. Does Britney Spears' breast enhancement license others to do the same? What is Britney's obligation to her fans? Are her videos examples of the pressure that “Unpretty” is criticizing?

3. Silverchair frontman Daniel Johns wrote “Ana's Song” based on his own experience with anorexia nervosa.

Two lines from “Ana's Song” read:

"And Ana wrecks your life Like an Anorexia life"

Daniel hopes that “Ana's Song” will help people suffering from anorexia. To find “Ana's Song” visit Silverchair’s official record label web site @ www.sonymusic.com

After researching the song and its lyrics, discuss how the song might be effective in helping women be more comfortable with their natural bodies. Would this song have more impact if a female artist had written it, or is it important that it comes from a male?

4. We see a moment from “Thank U” by Alanis Morissette, and another From “The Path of Thorns”, by Sarah McLachlan, in which each appear naked.

Dawn Langmore (Anne Murray's daughter), says, "I wanted to BE [Kate Moss]." Do models and performers encourage viewers to become thin? How? Do media images contribute to eating disorders? Why? What remedies are effective, and which fail, in helping women become comfortable with and accepting of their bodies? Why? How can media literacy help women be more accepting of their natural body shapes?

Visit two websites and assess them for their ability to help women become more media literate and less vulnerable to media influences: www.something-fishy.org and www.about-face.org/

5. "Why shouldn't women be allowed to be overtly sexual? Why are they looked upon as selling themselves in a sexual manner?" Sarah McLachlan

Some people believe that successful, serious women must deny their sexiness and excel without being sexy. Advocates of “Girl Power” believe that it is possible to be sexy and still be taken seriously.

Watch Girl Power: Diet Pop or the Real Thing?, a previous MuchMusic Cable in the Classroom video, and/or discuss this issue. Is it possible for women to be sexy and be taken seriously at the same time? If so, how? Why should sexy women be respected as individuals?

Written by: Neil Andersen

Neil Andersen is a Curriculum Consultant with the Toronto District School Board. He is also a speaker and consultant in media and communications technology. His most recent work includes the Media Launchpad website, the teachers' study guide for the award-winning Scanning Television, and study guides for Space, Bravo! and MuchMusic's Cable in the Classroom broadcasts of original media literacy programming.

For more information about MuchMusic's educational programming -- or to give us your feedback -- please contact:

Kim Rapagna
Manager, Public Affairs
CTVglobemedia

Krapagna@ctvglobemedia.com

The following programs air at 4 am ET on MuchMusic on the dates indicated:

January 7, 2009 – Inside your Threads

Examines the working conditions of “sweatshop” employees in Mexico and Bangladesh and provides an updated perspective on this controversial issue for Canadian youth via music. Viewers follow three Canadian recording artists, Sam Roberts, Hawksley Workman, and Jully Black, as they encounter Mexican and Bangladeshi youth struggling to earn a living wage at a variety of apparel factories.

January 14, 2009 – MuchTalks: The Bully Factor

A round-table discussion with an audience that examines why bullying happens in schools and what students, parents and teachers can do about it. Includes accounts from Michelle Williams of Destiny's Child and Jo O'Meara of S Club 7, both former victims of bullying.

January 21, 2009 – MuchTalks: Teen Sex

MuchMusic provides an indepth look at teen sex. A live studio audience and a panel of teens and experts - including renowned sex educator Sue Johanson - explore the issues: the commercialization of sexuality, STDs, abstinence, and more

January 28, 2009 – MuchTalks: Violence

A lively debate about the culture of violence. Topics include: violence in music, video games, movies, and other forms of media.

February 4, 2009 – Womaging

Explores the issue of body image, combining feedback from an expert in the field of body image with discussion by influential female artists including former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell and TLC.

February 11, 2009 – Inside your Threads

February 18, 2009 – MuchTalks: Climate Change

MuchTalks: Climate Change explores what is arguably today’s most pressing environmental concern. VJ Hannah Simone and members of Sum 41 investigate the causes and impact of global warming, and highlight outstanding Canadian youth striving to make a difference. The documentary-style program also provides action steps and information for MuchMusic viewers who want to get involved and combat climate change.

February 24, 2009 – By Their Own Hand

"By Their Own Hand" examines the interrelation of creativity, depression and suicide. The program looks at a variety of music videos that address the subject of suicide, and interviews therapists, artists and critics to understand the connection between music, art, mood disorders and suicide.

March 4, 2009 - Much Talks: Too Hot or Not

Where do we draw the line when it comes to sexuality in music videos? When does an image change from sexy to sexist? MuchMusic examines this question with a live audience, panelists including video director Little X, and commentary from such sexy video stalwarts as Christina Aguilera, Britney Spears, and Madonna.

March 11, 2009 – Much Talks Body Image

Join MuchMusic for an in-depth look at body image and today's teens. From plastic surgery and eating disorders to media images and self-esteem, MuchMusic looks at society's obsession with body image.

March 18, 2009 – Hip Hop Consciousness

Hip hop artists discuss their efforts to effect positive change in their community, and comment on the materialism prevalent in mainstream hip hop. Controversial artists like Eminem and Dead Prez contribute to the debate.

March 25, 2009 - MuchTalks Climate Change

April 1, 2009– MuchTalks: Violence

A lively debate about the culture of violence. Topics include: violence in music, video games, movies, and other forms of media.

April 8, 2009- MuchTalks: Too Hot or Not

April 15, 2009– Rock Stars for Sale

It used to be that musicians lost credibility if they allied themselves with a commercial product. Now, with the line between art and commerce becoming increasingly blurry (witness Gap's recent ad campaign), the NewMusic investigates what this all means to music, the music industry, and music consumers.

April 22, 2009- Queer and Now

A special episode of The NewMusic investigates what it means to be gay in today's music industry.

April 29, 2009- MuchTalks: The Bully Factor

May 6, 2009 – MuchTalks: Teen Sex

May 6, 2009 - The NewMusic: Female Imaging Now

Female musicians seem to be relying on sexuality more than ever to promote themselves. What influence is this having on their young female fans?

May 13, 2009 - Womaging

Explores the issue of body image, combining feedback from an expert in the field of body image with discussion by influential female artists including former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell and TLC.

May 20, 2009 - Inside your Threads

May 27, 2009 - MuchTalks: Body Image

Join MuchMusic for an in-depth look at body image and today's teens. From plastic surgery and eating disorders to media images and self-esteem, MuchMusic looks at society's obsession with body image.