Preliminary Task #4: Representation in Media

February 19, 2026

Representation is about how people and lifestyles are shown in media. It influences how we see ourselves and how others understand us. For a teenage working girl like me, representation is important because it shapes expectations about my responsibility and education. When media accurately reflects teenage girls who balances school and work with their social life. The media plays a major role in shaping how society views young women like myself, and that is why representation matters.

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In The Devil Wears Prada, the main character is a young woman navigating her first serious job. While she is not a teenager, her experience of being young, underestimated and trying to prove herself reflects parts of my life as a teenage working girl. The representation is somewhat accurate in showing how challenging it can be to balance work and a social life. However, the movie exaggerates the drama of the workplace for entertainment purposes. The representation is created by adult writers who are likely not teenage girls, but can relate to the struggle. The experience is shown from an outside perspective rather than directly from someone like me.

In To All the Boys I've Loved Before, teenage life is portrayed through romance, friendships, and family responsibilities. Although the main focus is not working, it represents the emotional and social pressures that teenage girls experience. This is partially accurate because it captures insecurity and crushes. However, it leaves out the responsibility of having a job and balancing it with school. It feels relatable in emotions but incomplete in responsibility.

Although The Pursuit of Happyness focuses on an adult man, it represents the idea of working hard at a young age and striving for a better future. As a teenage girl with a job, I relate to the theme of responsibility and ambition. However, the story centers on adulthood and parenthood, not teenage life. The creators of this representation show perseverance from an adult point of view. While the message about hard work is inspiring, it does not fully represent the unique experience of being a teenager and an employee at the same time.

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Representation is important because it influences how teenage girls, especially those who work, are viewed by society and by themselves. The films The Devil Wears Prada, To All the Boys I've Loved Before, and The Pursuit of Happyness each show pieces of independence, responsibility, and growth. Most of these are created by adults, which effects how accurately teenage life is portrayed. This shows why authentic representation matters. It is so young working girls like me can see our real experiences reflected in media.