Killing Us Softly?

Jean Kilbourne, in her video "Killing Us Softly 3",

points out that we live in an age in which we are

bombarded by thousands of advertising images every day. While most people assert that these messages don't affect them, Kilbourne notes that most of them are wearing the most popular brands of clothing at the time. These messages, Kilbourne explains, show girls and women how they are supposed to view themselves: Dismembered, Without a voice, the victims of violence, objects of others' pleasure, and powerless in every important way.

Wealso looked at advertisments featuring photoshopped celebrities, which hold up ridiculously unrealistic images of even beautiful women. If Jessica Alba needs photo-shopping how much more unrealistic can the ideal image of beauty become?

The Consequences of these messages can be devastating. Problems with self-esteem, depression,and eating disorders are rampant among women and girls. While these things are problems in and of themselves, they lead to a larger problem for both men and women; a general inability to form mutually respectful, honest and healthy relationships with significant others. Do you think it is important to resist these messages? Are there things we can do to fight the destructive impact that these images give to women?