Framing Femininity

Women, Agency, and Representation in Contemporary Digital Media

Abstract

This paper critically examines the representation of women in contemporary media, with a focus on digital platforms, popular culture, and advertising. Drawing on feminist media theory, postcolonial feminism, and representation studies, it investigates how traditional gender stereotypes coexist with emergent narratives of empowerment. Through an intersectional lens, the study explores the impact of caste, class, religion, sexuality, and disability on visibility, interpretation, and audience reception. The experiences of Sydney Sweeney and Bhumi Pednekar facing online backlash, Sabrina through her album visuals, and Taylor Swift with her carefully shaped public image reveal how women negotiate autonomy, public judgment, and audience interpretation in today’s digital media landscape. The paper argues that while media offers unprecedented opportunities for women’s self-representation, it also perpetuates structural biases, gendered judgment, and symbolic erasure. The analysis further highlights the societal implications of these representations, influencing public perception, policy discourse, and women’s self-conception. By advocating critical engagement, digital literacy, and inclusive media practices, the study emphasizes the potential of media as a transformative tool for promoting equitable and nuanced portrayals of women across cultural contexts.