This 2011 documentary looks at the ways in which today's mainstream media has contributed to the diminution of women in positions of power and/or public. Includes in-depth interviews with Katie Couric, Rachel Maddow, Condoleezza Rice and Gloria Steinem. Even more importantly, in my opinion, is that it also takes the time to talk to ordinary women living ordinary lives, of different backgrounds and ages. There are serious attempts to demonstrate why there should be more positive female role models in the media. As well as exploring the underrepresentation of women in positions of power and influence in America and challenging current media's limited portrayal of what it means to be a strong, positive woman. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay The film made several points about how important media and visual representation are in our current age. Including several startling statistics such as “Today, children and young adults watch more than 10 hours of media per day.” In today's climate we have a 24 hour news cycle, there is something constantly happening or being shown in one way or another, in a hundred different formats; that is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 52 weeks a year… that's a lot of information and influence being drilled into young, impressionable minds. After illustrating how much the media influences our daily lives, some real world statistics were provided which for me personally were staggering in terms of numbers. Even adding bias or skepticism, the idea that “about 65% of American women and girls have an eating disorder.” “The number of cosmetic surgeries performed on young people aged 18 and under more than tripled from 1997 to 2007.” Both are terrifying and should be terrifying for both girls and boys who are directly influenced by a "perfect" cultural image, of people who are not average or achievable. We currently live in an insular society where our people forms of media are becoming a persuasive and pervasive influence influencing cultural norms. We are bombarded with the combined message that a woman's value and power lie in her youth (ability to bear children), beauty (as defined by those who set standards), and sexuality (if she isn't interesting either), and not in his capacity as a leader (regardless of his effectiveness). Women have made great strides in leadership in recent decades, “the United States still ranks 33rd out of 49 highest-income countries when it comes to women in the national legislature. And it's not better outside the government. Women represent just 4.6% of S&P 500 CEOs and 17% of the directors, executive producers, writers, cinematographers and editors working on the nation's 250 highest-grossing films. "Remember: This is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a custom essay In conclusion, great strides have been made in the right direction. But everyone must do their part. Both men and women they need to stand up and be heard in wanting representation and wanting it accurately I felt that the other and more important underlying message of the entire film was not just about being "the lesser and the unhappy" but rather, whether. want the change, Be the change As we continue in a society of constant stimulation, we are in a unique situation to stop enforcing the bad and/or lazy habits of simply accepting whatever is thrown at us..”