My research question is: What are the ways in which popular media, specifically magazines, are stereotyping and underrepresenting women and what are the effects? This question is arguable because the answer is not a simple yes or no. Countless researchers are collecting evidence to prove that magazines are displaying women less, and when women are shown it is in a negative and highly categorized light. This stereotyping is damaging women; it is causing health and mental issues. While the opposing side feels that men are more objectified than women I will demonstrate why that is not the case. I find this research question/topic very compelling. Over the course of history women have been working for equality, and I think it is outrageous that even now, we are still fighting for equivalence in all aspects of life. I believe that since women are doing the same work as men they should be equally represented in the media in a positive light.  In Sociology 101 last semester my professor introduced and reviewed this topic of popular media stereotyping women. These discussions spiked my interest, which ultimately influenced my research question. People are continually addressing the topic but the problem still exists. 

The article "Beyond the Perfect Body" by Pirkko Markula a professor of socio-cultural study of physical activity at the University of Alberta informs her audience of the qualitative research methods that lead her to discover the negative affects of magazines. Even though major publishers claim to be displaying items to encourage body satisfaction the majority of magazines shame most body types. With little to no bias this author thoroughly explains her research on how continuous criticism affects women. Women play key roles in society, they should be looked at for their accomplishments not their faces or bodies. Consequently, with the media downplaying their success women aim to gain attention by changing their appearances, which is assessed a major issue. Markula compares different popular magazines and the images they show the public. She found that large portions of women blame magazines for their obsession with the perfect body. Markula addresses the distortion of women's body image while other articles focus on how women are portrayed and not just the effects it has. 

Julia T. Wood works in the Department of Communication at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. With her wide array of reliable resources, sophisticated diction and the fact that this work is published proves her credibility. Throughout the article there is a limited amount of bias. Although, I still believe her work is credible with the slight amount of bias.  I will use this article to bring is real life stories and experiences. This source focuses on the prevalent types of women the media displays. Most media communicates images of women that propagate unrealistic, stereotypical perceptions. Woods emphasizes the underrepresentation and misrepresentation of women in media as well as the effects it has on women. One major point discussed in the article is that the media has created two different versions of women, the good and the bad. The good woman follows societal rules; she is pretty, focused, and respectful. These types of women are often portrayed as the victims, angles and loyal wives. In popular media the good women are shown under the power of a strong dependable male figure where as the bad women are on their own. The bad woman is often described as a bitch, whore and cold or aggressive. Most women do not fit into the unrealistic categories and standards set by society so they are penalized. 

Charlotte Alter writes an article for TIME on the "8 Sad Truths About Women in Media". Charlotte Alter is a Harvard University graduate, who has many written pieces for TIME and Wall Street Journal. She establishes her ethos by use of statistics, information on popular women and her diction. I find Alter credible due to her degree from Harvard University as well as being published in esteemed journals. She discusses how far women have to go in order to achieve complete equality in media, as well as in life. Over time women have actually lost representation in different media outlets. Alter brings about the fact that many female media giants who were delivering news lost their positions of power as well. Statistics are provided to further support the claim that women and men are not portrayed equally; men 90 percent sports coverage where as women are only 10 percent. Many magazine editorials are mostly males voicing only their opinions. 

How women are treated is often determined by their looks. In popular media women are portrayed as soft, gentle, and weak compared to men who are displayed as dominant, strong, and rough. If society does not see women fitting into those categories culture attempts to transform them to reach certain standards. When selecting my sources I took into consideration my intended audience and how it will affect my kiaros. My argument is aimed towards the entire population, but I hope my messages resonate with women of all ages. I want girls to stand up for their equality in all aspects of life and magazines are a good place to start. At this stage I am forming my ethos based on the expertise and knowledge I am gathering from the authors of my many sources. In selecting my sources I kept the different aspects of my argument in mind so I would not have to revise my question later on. The sources are in stasis; each one discusses a different aspect of stereotyping women in media and its affects. They must be balanced so my stance on the argument is clear. I can share my research with the public, but I hope they would help me make changes in society for gender equality and the sake of women's mental and physical health. 

