According to dictionary.com, ideology is defined as the body of doctrine, myth, belief, etc., that guides an individual, social movement, institution, class, or large group.
Vaclav Havel describes ideology in this way:
"Ideology is a specious way of relating to the world. It offers human beings the illusion of an identity, of dignity, and of morality while making it easier to part with them" (page 28).
He also states: "The primary excusatory function of ideology is to provide people, both as victims and pillars of the post-totalitarian system, with the illusion that the system is in harmony with the human order and the order of the universe" (page 29).
These two statements are the base of Havel's definition of ideology. He then goes into detail while talking about how ideology goes hand in hand with "living within a lie". He describes this aspect of ideology by saying: "Individuals need not believe all these mystifications, but they must behave as though they did, or they must at least tolerate them in silence, or get along well with those who work with them" (page 31).
When reading Havel, I immediately connected these ideas to the media, and how women are portrayed in the media and how women in society feel they need to follow the "rules" set up by TV shows, reality shows, movies, music videos, etc. I want to use real life situations, such as how every girl in my high school felt they had to wear Northfaces and Uggs and act a certain way, as well, but I will mostly be relating it to the women on Gossip Girl and other reality shows.
This is a promising beginning. You could look into the consumerism as ideology -- this might help explain the interaction between adolescent girl culture, peer pressure, and specific consumer goods. Do you think that social media like FaceBook, which makes its money off advertisement, is implicated in these processes?
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