Where are the Women of the Weight Room?
ABSTRACT
Despite the numerous physical and psychological health benefits associated with strength
training, unfounded assumptions that women who lift weights blur the line between masculinity
and femininity have caused women to avoid strength training as a workout routine. The typical
gym setting is severely gendered with specific territories assigned to the masculine and feminine.
In addition to the physical environments being different for men and women, the psychological
impact of gender stereotyping is a strong factor on women’s avoidance of strength training.
Masculine body ideals are inherently associated with strength, while femininity is associated
with thinness, and those who step outside these boundaries are ostracized. Women have a fear of
developing a level of muscularity that deviates from the contemporary cultural ideals of a
feminine body. Research shows that although some women may have begun to introduce
strength training in their routine, most women avoid strength training in fear of “getting too big.”
The Effect of Third-Wave Feminism Ideology
on Society’s Perception of Women
Kelly Jones, School of Business. Mentor: Professor Bonnie Boaz, University College
ABSTRACT
Third-wave feminists argue in favor of women's sexual freedom and pleasure as signs of
independence and power, as well as various takes on individualism and dissenting from the
traditional norms that have been set for women in past generations.This paper focuses on how
third-wave feminism ideology is being expressed politically, socially, and especially in
the media. Analyzing scholarly articles ranging from the rise of feminist groups, such as
female punk bands and politically active groups like the Pussy Riot girls in Russia, to
our society’s perception of female celebrities in the media who portray a “girl power”
platform in music, film, and television. There is backlash women in the media receive for
overplaying sexuality, emotional rage, and displaying gender undertones in anything
they do. Third-wave feminist efforts are being given a negative connotation by the
media that causes society to perceive women to be vindictive, vengeful, and unstable. I argue
that third-wave feminism has received an overall positive reception by society, despite how
media is apt to juxtapose women’s expressed efforts. Through research studies and observation
third-wave feminism is unlike any feminist ideology before its time. The thirdwave primarily promotes entitlement of individualism and to define feminism for one's self,
giving young girls and women the ability to accept themselves for who they are and the women
they are and have the right to be.
PETA’s FAILED ADVERTISING TACTICS
ABSTRACT
Over the last few decades advertisers have been increasing their sexualized objectification of
women as a tactic to attract men into supporting various social causes. This paper examines
recent (2002 – 2014) advertisements created by PETA (People for the Ethical Treatments of
Animals), the most widely known animal rights group. As most viewers know, PETA exploits
women in their ads in an attempt to gain more supporters. This paper will analyze the
psychological and emotional affects that sexualized advertisements have on the women and men
who are forced to view them. By examining the scholarship on the psychological implications of
PETAs advertising campaign, the research will show that these controversial advertisements
threaten women’s rights, which have been hard won over the decades. The PETA
advertisements represent women as equals of animals, challenging the difference between
animals and humans. Research shows that men who view these ads show increased aggression,
increased rape acceptance, and increased acceptance of violence towards women. Sexualized and
objectified images take away from the purpose of PETA’s cause, leaving the audience, especially
females, reluctant to support a cause that continues to dehumanize them.