Feminism + Gender Theories
Media Magazine reading - two articles on feminism and theory
Read Playing With The Past: Post-feminism and the Media (MM40, page 64 - our Media Magazine archive is here). This is a great example of sophisticated media analysis and an indication of the level we want to be writing at by the end of the two-year course.
1) What examples are provided from the two texts of the 'male gaze' (Mulvey)?
Beyonces music video where she objectifies herself on camera intentionally for the male gaze. And the show Pan am.
2) Do texts such as these show there is no longer a need for feminism or are they simply sexism in a different form?
Beyonce presents herself like that in order to empower women and express her sexuality. Some people may see it as sexist but many see it as empowering. This presents sexism in a different way but feminism is still necessary.
3) Choose three words/phrases from the glossary of the article and write their definitions on your blog.
Feminism – A movement aimed at defining, establishing, and defending women’s rights and equality to men
Nostalgia – A sentimental longing for the past, often only remembering the positives of the time.
Patriarchy – An ideology that places men in a dominant position over women.
Now read The Theory Drop: Gender Performativity (MM69, page 25) and answer the following questions.
1) How does the writer suggest gender performativity is established from a young age?
Girls are taught to be passive and caring and are taught to like pink and have toys such as dolls and kitchen, establishing a homemaker motherly role. Boys aggression and disruption is excused and its often said " boys will be boys" The are exposed to toys such as cars and dinosaurs teaching them to be masculine and dominant
2) What does the phrase 'non-binary' refer to and how does it link to Butler's theory?
Not assigned to a specific gender. Butler believes gender is a performance and the media can influence this.
3) How and why does the media help reinforce gender stereotypes? The writer provides several examples in the final section of the article.
Men are described as over masculine, aggressive and powerful/dominant. Women are described as innocent and nurturing while also being oversexualised for the male gaze
Music video analysis
Finally, write up our analysis of the two music videos we studied in class. This is your opportunity to develop your own opinions on these crucial media debates. If you're not sure on any of these theories, look at the theory notes above to help you.
Watch the Beyonce video for ‘Why Don’t You Love Me?’:
1) How does the writer suggest gender performativity is established from a young age?
Girls are taught to be passive and caring and are taught to like pink and have toys such as dolls and kitchen, establishing a homemaker motherly role. Boys aggression and disruption is excused and its often said " boys will be boys" The are exposed to toys such as cars and dinosaurs teaching them to be masculine and dominant
2) What does the phrase 'non-binary' refer to and how does it link to Butler's theory?
Not assigned to a specific gender. Butler believes gender is a performance and the media can influence this.
3) How and why does the media help reinforce gender stereotypes? The writer provides several examples in the final section of the article.
Men are described as over masculine, aggressive and powerful/dominant. Women are described as innocent and nurturing while also being oversexualised for the male gaze
Music video analysis
Finally, write up our analysis of the two music videos we studied in class. This is your opportunity to develop your own opinions on these crucial media debates. If you're not sure on any of these theories, look at the theory notes above to help you.
Watch the Beyonce video for ‘Why Don’t You Love Me?’:
1) How might this video contribute to Butler’s idea that gender roles are a ‘performance’?
Beyonce is wearing sexualising clothes and dancing 'sexually' and makeup which could contribute to male pleasures.
2) What might van Zoonen suggest regarding the representation of women in this video?
Might argue this reinforces traditional gender roles as she's being sexualised in a home/domestic setting.
3) What are YOUR views on this debate – does Beyonce empower women or reinforce the traditional ‘male gaze’ and oppression of women?
Beyonce is wearing sexualising clothes and dancing 'sexually' and makeup which could contribute to male pleasures.
2) What might van Zoonen suggest regarding the representation of women in this video?
Might argue this reinforces traditional gender roles as she's being sexualised in a home/domestic setting.
3) What are YOUR views on this debate – does Beyonce empower women or reinforce the traditional ‘male gaze’ and oppression of women?
I think Beyonce is just being herself and showing off her sexuality and femininity in an empowering way.
However some people may think that she is oversexualising herself as she's dancing quite provocatively and wearing little clothing which can promote the male gaze
Watch Will Jay's video for ‘Gangsta’:
1) How does the video suggest representations of masculinity have changed in recent years?
It challenges traditional gender roles and shows that males can show emotion and have feelings instead of only being aggressive and rude.
2) What does David Gauntlett suggest about representations of men in the media over the last 20 years?
Gauntlett suggests that media representations of men have become more diverse, moving away from rigid stereotypes to include portrayals of men as emotionally open, caring, and multifaceted.
3) What is YOUR view on the representation of men and masculinity? Are young men still under pressure from the media to act or behave in a certain way?
Yes however it is slowly changing due to acts/protests on the internet
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