The video “Still Killing Us Softly- Advertising Image of Women,” by Kilbourne Jean was highly accurate and on point with how women are treated. Jean drove her point home in the first segment of the video when she mentions that media can have a very great impact to many individuals. Her perspective that media is a very powerful and dangerous tool is highly relevant in today’s society. Therefore, people must be fully aware of the role media plays in the society. Overall, I agree with most of Jean’s statements in the video, because those topics are very significant today. In addition, as a woman, I feel for her views and her concerns that she genuinely asserted in the film.

Prior to this video, I noticed that advertisements distort, stereotype, and dehumanize women ad manipulate people to buy their products. For instance, advertisements about alcoholic beverages usually portrays women participating in erotic and inappropriate acts. Also, most advertisements display women working at home while the men are out working. This stereotype is still very common,  but it is not that accurate today anymore.

This video by Jean contributed to a new understanding of new differential gender representation. For instance, Jean mentioned that films by music promote a very casual attitude towards sex, particularly in young people. I never really looked at it that way, because I do not really pay attention to music videos like that. However, recalling the music videos I have watched in the past, women are being degraded and turned into sexual objects. On the other hand, men are dominant over women in music videos and they usually control them. This new understanding demonstrates how much women are mistreated and stereotyped in media, such as music videos and commercials.

Picture A is a credible advertisement, because it is done by a renowned doctor. The doctor ‘s background and expertise makes her a reliable source for the advertisement. I chose this advertisement that focuses on eating disorders, because Jean talks about this ongoing issue that affects numerous women around the world. This ad would be very helpful for people who are suffering from eating disorders, because the advice is coming from an educated woman.

Picture  B represents a not credible source, because there is no expertise behind it. The ad claims that it is scientifically proven, but the ad did not mention the name of the scientists behind such research. In addition, the product being advertised is too good to be true which also makes it a not credible source. I chose this ad, because Jean mentions that women who are deemed perfect are often used in media. To many, being thin is considered to be the perfect body of a woman. This ad simply promises women the “perfect” body.

Picture C is also a not credible source, because it is not proven at all. There is no expertise behind this ad and it is obvious that some type of enhancement could have been done to the face of the woman. I chose this advertisement, because Jean states that certain cultures have different views of the perfect woman. For instance, in most Asians countries, being light is considered to be beauty. Therefore, whitening ads, like the one pictured above, is very popular over there.

Picture D represents an attractive source, because the product being advertised is making it seem like women are going to be more attracted to men. This source is attractive, because the man is portrayed to be a girl magnet by simply utilizing the product. Attractive sources target the audience’s desire and in this case it is being surrounded by women. I chose this advertisement, because Jean talks about women being objectified in her film. The women in the ad are being reduced to objects and properties which also degrades their values.

Picture  E is also an attractive source, because the celebrity is being pictures as having beautiful and luscious hair. Seeing this advertisement might want one, especially women, to buy this product in order to look like the model utilized in this ad. This is usually the case, because attractive sources target the audience’s wants through using charming celebrities. I chose this ad, because Jean mentioned that models are usually sought for the perfect woman. However, people do not know that models and celebrities go through so much in order to be seen.