Maybe it took a movie featuring a strong female character. Possibly a documentary about the objectification of women did it. Or, more likely, with two daughters coming of age, it was a twobyfourish whack on the head. Whatever factors catalyzed this realization, let’s see how our future generations can reach new heights (or stop sinking lower depending on your POV).

Watch Gravity with Sandra Bullock and your back will not touch the chair. Heck, I practically held the hand of the equally captivated stranger sitting beside me. (And he didn’t seem like the holding-Vince’s-hand kind of guy.) It was refreshing to see a portrayal of a buffed hero who wasn’t airbrushed with impossible abs or as a heroine sporting a bikini and a sword on top of a mountain.

If you have access to Netflix or DVD rental, absolutely, definitely, unreservedly watch a documentary called MISS Representation. Chances are you’ll be educated on the conditioning we’re getting regarding women and their influence in society. It profiles the media’s misrepresentations of women in positions of power and impact.

It’s unsettling to realize the limited portrayals of women and girls in the media. Considering 97% of media executives are male, it’s not surprising the perception of ‘normal’ is skewed.

A haunting line in Jennifer Siebel Newsome’s documentary is, “You can’t be what you can’t see.”

If there are scarce images of female presidents, believable heroines, clever engineers not sporting a divine shoe/purse combinations and scientists who don't have perfect hair and nails, how can our younger generations imagine being one? If the media comments on the attractiveness of a female politician, yet would never talk about a male counterpart’s legs, how can we begin to make progress?

Money. Specifically, your money.

If there’s a movie showcasing helpless women, what message are you endorsing by buying or renting? Take a position with your wallet.

If there is a reality show, TV program or news service superseding a women’s drive and intellect and with eye-candy appeal, does it fit within your moral wheelhouse to support the companies who support this kind of messaging?

If there are tabloids objectifying women, is it wise to support them? Anything with a Kardashian in it would be one rag to avoid.

Some of our readers may be nodding with self-awareness, “I don’t have a male/female bias.” Consider a study done within the scientific/academic community, our beloved bastion of rational thought.

Identical resumes were sent to 127 professors of both sexes. For the position of lab manager, either John or Jennifer applied by mail. Each academician was asked to rate hireability, likeability, competence and the mentor-ability of each. They were then asked what salary they would endorse.

Regardless of the professor’s sex, age or specialization area, John scored 14% higher in all categories (except likeability) and 17% higher for a starting salary.

• Become more attuned to the stereotypes of femininity and masculinity limiting our girls and boys.
• Support a female’s ability to see herself as a leader and hold leadership positions.
• Be a part of a culture that encourages equal representation.

A less biased future is counting on you.