In AnneMarie Knepper’s commentary, “Perpetuating the Stereotype” (ODE April 7), Knepper expresses her sympathy for the images portrayed of the “middle-class white guy” within the media. According to Knepper, these men “get no respect” with the common portrayals of them being “all fat, stupid, lazy and helpless.”
Is the white middle-class guy
worthy of respect? The stereotypes of women portrayed in the media, as well as in American society as a whole, demand women to be thin, sexy yet virginal, subordinate
and selfless.
These unrealistic requirements that society and the media demand of women are more destructive than those imposed on middle-class white men.
In conjunction with recent events, Terri Schindler-Schiavo’s unfortunate condition and death resulted primarily from brain failure due to bulimia. The media’s detrimental portrayals of women prove to be just that.
What is so fatal about the lazy, couch potato white guy? And just who is responsible for these destructive images and stereotypes of women perpetuated in American media and society to begin with?
–Julie Higgs, Senior