Has the media negatively affected your self-esteem? As an intern counsellor I often find myself
reflecting on the media I consumed as a young girl. Growing up, I loved to cringe humour and still love a good laugh. Netflix has been recently recommending some 2000s comedy films and I have really been enjoying rewatching some of these iconic films. At the same time, I’ve started to realize that many of them perpetuate harmful narratives that as a young woman I internalized in unhealthy ways.
One striking realization was that many of these films trivialize serious issues. They present
scenarios that, while intended to be funny can reinforce toxic attitudes towards women. As I engage with my clients, I want to encourage them to think critically about the environment and media around them.
In a study by Cosma and Gurevich (2020), researchers noticed that on men’s pick-up forums,
three themes emerged as most common in their discussions. The themes they found were that men often discussed fighting for masculinity, viewing women as objects, and exerting control over consent. They promoted a combative approach to masculinity that pressures me to initiate sexual encounters without regard for consent and they framed consent as a challenge to overcome. This aspect of our culture can put women in harmful situations that can have a lasting impact on their mental health.
For young women specifically, it is so important to understand consent as a mutual agreement
that should be respected at all times. Unfortunately, many comedies frame male sexual experiences as a conquest, reducing women to objects to be pursued. This dynamic can distort healthy relationships and intimacy. I want to remind you that healthy relationships are built on respect, communication, and mutual consent.
As a qualifying intern counsellor, I want to cultivate empowerment in my therapeutic practice. I
particularly like to work with marginalized populations and help them gain agency in their lives. If you are looking for a space to explore your journey through womanhood, it would be my honour to help.
To book a consultation visit:
https://strongcounselling.com/low-cost-counselling/#inquire
References:
Cosma, S., & Gurevich, M. (2020). Securing sex: Embattled masculinity and the pressured pursuit of women’s bodies in men’s online sex advice. Feminism & Psychology, 30(1), 42-62.
https://doi.org/10.1177/0959353519857754
