Representation Patterns in Media

    Representation in the early 2000's is very differentiated from how it is in the media now. An example of representation of diversity, or lack of, can be found in the 2004 film Mean Girls. One of the side characters, Janis Ian, shows a clear element of feminism and against the social norm of being popular. The movie uses the selection of how she's seen visually and what she says to contribute to the characteristics of this character. She's seen as the hateful, "edgy", and cool girl that is laid back but can also be mean. She is also the main character's best friend that is trying to be her ally and help her from the mean girls.

    Another example of this film that shows the representation are the three mean girls that are the antagonists of this film. Their names are Regina George, Gretchen Wieners, and Karen Smith. Karen Smith is stereotyped as a "dumb blonde" and doesn't gain any character development even towards the end of the film she's seen as just a mean girl who cares about her looks. Regina George is the typical mean girl and is shown through a negative lens that she is a backstabber and insecure. Gretchen Wieners is another character that is seen as a stereotypical "second-hand man" to Regina George that is the typical two faced mean girl that is seen as insecure and constantly compares herself to her "best friend".  

    This film repeatedly shows the stereotypes of mean girls, however, it might be accurate to how teenage girls acted towards each other at the time. These stereotypes are negative and represents how girls acted towards each other considering insecurities, friendships, and relationships. For instance, the representation of how Karen Smith acts is a very exaggerated way of how dumb blondes got their reputation of only caring about their looks and not their education. This representation differs from how this movie is in more modern versions in order to accurately represent how teenagers act.