She’s just being Miley

Breaking away from Disney’s stereotypical ‘girl next door, sweetheart’ image. We’ve seen it before with Britney and Xtina. And now it’s Miley turn.

Each transformation from child star to serious actor/ singer has had similar traits; but all have one in particular, sex or sexualisation. Cue the barely-there skimpy outfits, layers of makeup, inappropriate touching/groping of body parts and seductive stares. Why do these stars believe, that people will only take them seriously if they turn almost pornstarish?

Someone once said to me – Children are like sponges.
Monkey see, Monkey do.
They’re like little clones, when they see someone they know doing certain things, they assume they need to or can do the same and its acceptable.
The media is everywhere. On our phones, television screens, radio stations, glossy magazines and newspapers and laptops. It’s hard to escape especially for young children. When i was growing up my toys consisted of barbie dolls and wooden blocks, kids these days have ipads and mobile phones. As if that isn’t worrying enough.

Sexualisation of children, whether they are ten or fifteen is just wrong. We frown upon cases of paedophilia and child pornography, but we accept and laugh it off when similar things happen to well-known celebrities such as Miley Cyrus, and broadcast it all over the media.

For example, when the entire Miley twerking and then her wreaking ball music video happened, the media went into overdrive. Social media in particular. The amount of memes that were created overnight were ridiculous.

So why is there so much attention with children, sexualisation and the media?
The shock factor. When you think of children, you think of cute little innocent boys and girls. So when you see them being portrayed in a different light – (sexually) you kind of squirm. No one wants to see that. Ever.

And as for Miley, why should she get so scrutinised when many popstars before her have done worse things #shesjustbeingmiley

Time to reflect…

I’ve never thought of myself as a blogger. I’ve always wanted to start one but never got around to it. So when we were given this assignment i was pretty happy. I thought the topics were great because it allowed for research instead of everything being about basic knowledge.
My favourite would have to be controversial images– i loved researching and seeing all the different images and videos, some that had been banned and what they had been. Some were outrageous and shocking but that’s the whole point right!
I found the topic of the public sphere most difficult only because i had a hard time understanding the whole public sphere theory. But i got it in the end!

This assignment has opened up my eyes and taught me alot about how the media works and the stories they run. Reading everyone elses blog posts and seeing different pointd of views and opinions has been a highlight also. Sometimes you cant think of everything yourself so reading other peoples blog posts has really helped with my understanding of these topics we were given.

Until next time,
xoxo
T

Picture: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/340795896773624760/

Geordie Sphere

Whether we like it or not, no one can say that they don’t have a small sickening obsession with reality televiusion shows. I for one am and im not afraid to say so.

With this weeks topic of ‘The Public Sphere’ the first example that came to me was the UK’s Geordie Shore. For those of you who don’t know what i am talking about, Geordie Shore is a reality television show based in Newcastle, England. Bringing together 8-9 cast members to a sharehouse where they live for about 6-8 weeks. They work for a touring company (named Geordie Tours) run by a lady called Anna along with going out and partying nearly every night.

I will confess that i have watched every single episode (Please stop judging me). I don’t watch it because i like them as people but because i have this thing about seeing how people react when they are faced with certain situations are brought up and simply because i enjoy seeing people getting drunk and making fools of themselves – but then again who doesn’t!?

But why do we have this sickening obsession with watching random strangers get drunk, have sex, do stupid things and hurt themselves?

Geordie Shore explores many aspects of life that normal 20-something males and females are going through or will go through growing up. The topics of gender, sexual behaviour and identity, race, peer pressure, politics, power, influence, break-ups and make-ups, drugs and alcohol, bullying, backstabbing and gossip just to name a few – in other words, it’s relatable.

In today’s public sphere people get talking, especially on social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter. Geordie Shore, has been the topic of many conversations on these sites, because of its shocking but brutally honest content. It has become so popular in this day and age with reality shows that, we become fixated and involved with the cast and the situations that they come across, that we sometimes feel as if we know them personally on some level.

Geordie Shore may not be the best show out there, but it is a great example of how everday issues that we are sometimes too afraid to talk about, can be brought up in debate on social media sites in the public sphere and can help make a difference.

Picture: http://www.momentaryreality.com/2012_11_01_archive.html?m=1

Media Make Me Lose Control

 

Ah, the word ‘control’, it sends shivers up my spine. In a world where nearly everyone is given freedom of speech and human rights, why do we allow the ‘media’ to control the news that we hear and read? Is it because of money – (or lack of)? Just because someone is rich and has billions of dollars in their bank accounts, does that seriously mean they get to pick and choose what everyday people can view?

 To an extent, i do believe that what is and isn’t appropriate to be broadcasted should be limited – for example, when it comes to the topics of war and violent images and photographs, i believe it should be monitored only for the safety of young children coming across them. But when it comes to politics and other general news i believe that every person deserves the right to know about things that may affect them.

 Luckily we live in a world where we have the internet. A resource that lets you roam free whenever you would like. Although, we are still subjected and sheltered from viewing certain things due to government censorship, the internet provides us with the tool to browse and build our knowledge of whatever we feel like knowing about. It is also a great tool where we can discuss and read about other peoples views and opinions.

I believe that it does matter who ‘controls’ news stories in the media but i think that they should be more open with what they choose to broadcast because everyday people deserve to know about things that may or may not affect them. When it comes to censorship in the media i believe that it all comes down to certain topics expecially with violence.

 

Picture: http://www.nation.lk/edition/fine/item/3404-tear-and-a-jeer-for-the-media-cheer-squads.html

The SSS — Shameless Suit Supply

In 2010, Dutch clothing brand ‘Suit Supply’ released images of their latest winter campaign. Following in the footsteps of designers such as Tom Ford, Calvin Klein and Dolce and Gabbana; Suit Supply certainly delivered the shock factor that these brands are notorious for.

In each of the pictures (I’ve only displayed two of the more, hmm how do I put it… subtle pictures) there is little that is left to the imagination. Most have the female model in compromising sexual positions such as: being bent over a kitchen bench, legs lifted or spread apart, a breast exposed and some have her near butt naked just standing in the frame of the picture next to a man in a suit.

We get the picture. Sex sells – an industry in which the Netherlands would know a lot about.

But is this going that step a little too far? I think it does.
How does having a woman parade around or be objectified in a sexual way meant to seem appealing and appropriate to sell suits? Do these images seriously make men think ‘Oh, if I buy and wear these suits I can get any woman I want’. Probably.

Yes the style in which these pictures have been taken make it seem stylish and sophisticated; the setting, the suits and the good looking models make it look expensive and classy, but as you continue to look over all the images it starts to seem like Suit Supply have tried to make soft porn seem… classy. (I know what you must be thinking and yes I cringed as I wrote it)

After all the commotion and hype surrounded by these saucy campaign images, Suit Supply weren’t made to take down these images, infact they launched their own website not long after. I guess this just goes to show how controversial images really do make or break you.

Pictures from: http://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/style/articles/2010-11/19/gq-style-news-suit-supply-banned-westfield-campaign

 

#Perfection

What are the media being blamed for? And is it justified?

When I read this weeks topic for our blog post, the first thing that came to me was the issue of body image and how it is portrayed in the media. Being a young woman in my twenties, and growing up in an era where celebrities are idolised, and social media is at its peak, for young girls it is hard to escape the pressure of looking and being a certain way.

I will admit that yes I do sometimes foolishly fall for the glossy pages of gossip magazines and have spent countless hours sifting through pictures on Facebook and Instagram stalking and wishing that I looked like Adriana Lima or that perfectly toned fitness model. Everyone has been there.

But why are we so obsessed with these supposed ideas of perfection? What is perfection? Do we really know what the perfect person looks and acts like? Here is where I feel the media comes into play. The media can be very subjective with what they allow viewers to see. When you only show certain things to people it becomes all they know. It’s like a child. Monkey see, Monkey do. When you constantly see images of what the media believe to be ‘perfection’ you start to believe it yourself. This is where we start to pick at ourselves until we are caught up in this sickening obsession which is hard to break out of.

The media are part the blame in the way they splash around images of half naked men and women, but as consumers, we are also to blame. We are the ones that choose to absorb this nonsense and act how we see fits. If only we lived in a world where looks didn’t make or break us.

Picture: http://rebloggy.com/post/lol-pretty-life-tumblr-fashion-quotes-perfect-true-follow-back-fun-facts-pink-sm/25824680301

 

About Me

 

Me just being a tourist in Paris

Hello and Welcome to my blog site!

My name is Thicha (pronounced Tisha, but you can call me Tish). I am 21 years of age and currently studying a Bachelor of Journalism at Wollongong University. For the past two years I have completed my Certificate 4 and Diploma in Communication and Media at Illawarra Tafe. With my studies I am hoping to break into magazine editorial and feature writing. I live In South-West Sydney, Wattle Grove to be exact. I do a lot of travelling to and from Wollongong as well as into the city where I work.

Boring stuff aside, here are just a few quick facts about myself:

– My phone is pretty much surgically glued to my hand- If you don’t see it, please call for help immediately
– Since my trip to Europe last year, I am still in “post-holiday depression” and I don’t think its going away anytime soon
– I just bought my very first car, YAY!
– I also have a high interest in fashion, travel and music

Well I hope this has given you a little insight into who I am. I love doing blogs, so I am really looking forward to getting this blog going as well as seeing what everyone else has created
🙂