Social Media and the Image of the Ideal Woman

 

This is a screenshot from one of the frames from the trailer/ introduction of the new TV show 'The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives’ directed by Jerry Jenkins. These women in the frame are all central figures to this show, discussing their lives, jobs, and religion. They can be seen standing in front of a white temple in the middle of Utah. This temple is not only central to the image but also supposedly central to all of their lives. This image perfectly reflects the ‘heartland’ of the Latter-day Saint religion/culture in Utah. The women also wear the same modest outfit and appear very well put together and composed. This can be assumed to symbolize and highlight ideals of community and purity. The women seem to be very happy and loving, accepting of one another, symbolizing other aspects of loyalty and devotion to fellow Latter-day saints that are highly valued. This is a stark contrast to the reality of these women's lives. The Mormon religion here is used to cover up the harsh realities that are revealed through this documentary of adultery, gossip, hatred, failure, and pulling away from religious faith. Lastly, their body language looks open and inviting as they continually walk towards the camera, opening themselves up for the world to see through this film.

In Marianne Weber's work Authority and Autonomy in Marriage, she heavily analyzes gendered roles in the meaning of marriage. Weber discusses how there has been a significant shift in dominance of marriages, where formal equality has been promoted, as marriage has become more of a contract between equal parties, but still with slight subortination (Bermingham 2003: 89). Furthermore, she discusses how even though women have more autonomy and authority they still fall in to commodifcation of their gendered roles. Despite giving women more authority, men can still be seen as powerful through different modes, such as emotional and the upholding of cultural traditions. Men can be central to the marriage as the 'face', as the men are charismatic and can be viewed as possibly having higher moral authority, being more Godly and tender (Bermingham 2003: 97).  Traditional roles become an expectation and are posed as a self-directed choice for women. Women's exercise of autonomy can be entirely commodified, and even through personal choices, still reflect traditional role expectations. Additionally, women's intellectual abilities and moral views are something that clash with patriarchal views, as they become difficult in terms of subordination (Bermingham 2003: 92). This also leads to the argument that social structures reinforce who has power in different positions. Women can be viewed as given more authority through marriage titles and their husbands, delegitimizing full authority in a way. Despite steps in the right direction to full autonomy and freedom, traditional expectations still remain central to ideas of marriage.

In the Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, everything goes to chaos when they get caught in a 'sex' scandal, heavily going against their views and commitments of wives and devout Mormons. Additionally, part of this show is to document the expansion of 'momtok'. As these moms monetize from their roles as mother and their family life on social media. Showing that these gendered roles can be further institutionalized and an economic strategy through social media. This is an autonomous choice these mothers make, amidst audience continuous approval for their lifestyle and mothering tactics, upholding traditional marital structures. Their success on social media is dependent on painting the perfect life, in all aspects; social, occupational, marital, and wife-wise. Additionally, the show continually shows these women in a very vulnerable emotional state where they turn to their husbands for guidance, enforcing the idea that they are stable and reliable. Despite appearing strong and empowered throughout the episodes provided the show is completely the opposite. Most of the drama recorded is about one of the mom's lives falling apart through a divorce and the introduction of another boyfriend. Enforcing the idea that these women need a strong male figure in their lives to be meaningful, as it's hard to break away from a patriarchal structure. Lastly, when some of the women are shown to be financially independent or entrepreneurs dedicated to their work, it's shown to be a threat to their marriage. They are difficult and shown to be 'bad moms' for having independence and a work ethic. Overall, this show highlights outwardly presenting equalities and both the hidden subordination through their lifestyles.

Weber, Marianne, and Craig R. Bermingham. “Authority and Autonomy in Marriage: Translation with introduction and commentary.” Sociological Theory, vol. 21, no. 2, June 2003, pp. 85–102.

Reality Tea. (2024, August). Promotional image for “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” [Photograph]. https://www.realitytea.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/08/SECRET-LIVES-OF-MORMON-WIVES-e1724061036781.jpg