Educational Media Reviews Online

In Fashioning Women in Law, Professor Cheryl B. Preston of the J. Reuben Clark Law School at Brigham Young University argues that negative images of women in the media adversely affects women in law related areas—as lawyers, jurors, witnesses, litigants, law enforcement personnel, etc. Relying primarily on print advertisements, Professor Preston explains that when women are portrayed as docile, servile, or childish, they are hindered in law related areas. Her images are compelling; however, women’s portrayal in television, the movies, and video games are important areas that should not be neglected.

In addition, this work does not address the issue of women in other fields. The effects of inaccurate advertising are not restricted to women in law. Women in all areas - education, the corporate world, health, and in the domestic realm are affected by negative stereotypes as well. As the film highlights, women have made great strides, however, there is much work that needs to be done, and this type of negative advertising only hinders progress. Interspersed with the images are interviews with notable women in the legal profession. The sound quality and photography are good.

As a vehicle to provoke discussion, this film succeeds and is recommended. Thirty minutes, however, is too short to delve deeply into this important topic. More information on the jewel case insert would have been helpful. The accompanying workbook was not available for review.