Gender in the media

Last Thursday Dr. Hollist showed slides of gender roles played in the media. When I scanned through all the offensive adds, I came to a realization. If I were to see one of those adds in a magazine or poster, I most likely wouldn't think twice. But to see all of these popular name brand companies displayed all together made me think about how females are portrayed in the media. Companies like BeBe where young ladies like myself shop, advertise a women inferior to men. One picture in particular was inked in my mind which was the women trapped in a bird cage. Now what is those picture trying to portray? That women are kept quiet and have no voice?
Being a parent, I try to teach my son that girls and boys are equal to each other. It is the media that takes my hard parenting and throws it in the trash. I see men depicted in the media as all strong, independent and intelligent people. Why can we not see the same for women. Nine out of ten times I see women depicted as sexy, skinny, tall, and beautiful but nothing more. It frustratrates me immensly but I continue to stand up for what I believe in.