Misscommunication: How Social Communication Tools Are Delivering Contradictory Messages To Young Women, And The Resulting Physical, Social and Psychological Impact

Abstract

If you're not a young woman, it's difficult to understand what it's like to be a young woman. There is an epidemic of self-doubt, shame, indecision, seeking approval from others, social pressure, and a host of other issues. Yes, young men struggle with many of these issues too. So, why focus on young women? It is known that both young men and young women face these issues, but nobody is talking about how these issues are affecting the sexes differently or determining why these issues are happening in the first place. My answer? Mixed and contradictory messages. My claim? Mixed messages in the form of many different mediums are exacerbating these issues and more, specifically in the demographic of young women ages 18-24. Young women are confused. They are told to be pretty but to not to care about their looks, that they should find their prince charming but that they are strong independent women who don't need no man, and worst of all, they are told to support their fellow women in sisterhood but that it is also acceptable to talk behind one another's backs and judge other women based upon appearances and social circles. The crux of these issues is that women are being bombarded with mixed messages: from the media, from family, from peers, from themselves. My goal is to expose these conflicting messages and shed light on the issue of mixed messaging and its effect on young women. I felt it was important to bring the voices of real, young women into this project, seeking out their voices and stories through in-depth interviews and personal testimonials. In order for this research project to be effective and to authentically share the reality of the "why" behind these issues, it was imperative that this project was written by young women for young women. I care so deeply about the experiences and struggles of young women, and I want to help as much as I can.