Feminist theory - blog tasks
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)?
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)?
Beyoncé's star construction perfectly encapsulates the contradictions of post-feminist culture, simultaneously declaring herself as an independent woman, whilst objectifying herself for the camera and the ‘male gaze’.
2) Do texts such as these show there is no longer a need for feminism or are they simply sexism in a different form?
Both of the texts reinforce typical stereotypes aimed at women and there are hints of sexism through the different actions and clothes that are being worn.
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.
2) Do texts such as these show there is no longer a need for feminism or are they simply sexism in a different form?
Both of the texts reinforce typical stereotypes aimed at women and there are hints of sexism through the different actions and clothes that are being worn.
3) Choose three words/phrases from the glossary of the article and write their definitions on your blog.
Post-feminism – An ideology in culture and society that society is somehow past needing feminism and that the attitudes and arguments of feminism are no longer needed.
Third wave feminism – Was a movement that redefined and encouraged women to be dominant and sexually assertive.
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?
Children are taught to perform their gender from early on so that they align themselves with certain
tastes and behaviours befitting their gender category.
2) What does the phrase 'non-binary' refer to and how does it link to Butler's theory?
The phrase refers to someone who doesn’t define themselves as either wholly male or female. Butler would argue that this particular feminist perspective perpetuates the idea that masculinity and femininity are binary states (at opposite ends of a scale) which reinforces ideas of patriarchal control.
Third wave feminism – Was a movement that redefined and encouraged women to be dominant and sexually assertive.
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?
Children are taught to perform their gender from early on so that they align themselves with certain
tastes and behaviours befitting their gender category.
2) What does the phrase 'non-binary' refer to and how does it link to Butler's theory?
3) How and why does the media help reinforce gender stereotypes? The writer provides several examples in the final section of the article.
The media may portray different traits as somewhat 'normal' for certain genders. For example, women are depicted as emotional and very focused on their appearance while men are perceived as strong and dominant.
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.
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.
Watch the Beyoncé video for ‘Why Don’t You Love Me?’ again:
1) How might this video contribute to Butler’s idea that gender roles are a ‘performance’?
In the video, Beyonce is seen to be contributing different types of characters and adopts multiple different feminine stereotypes such as a housewife.
2) What might van Zoonen suggest regarding the representation of women in this video?
Zoonen argues that the media presents the female body as ‘spectacle’ – sexualised for the benefit of male audiences. In this music video, Beyonce is wearing clothes that are quite revealing and Zoonen could possible suggest that the male audience would watch it mainly for the purpose of their own entertainment and enjoyment.
3) What are YOUR views on this debate – does Beyoncé empower women or reinforce the traditional ‘male gaze’ and oppression of women?
She portrays many different roles that may challenge the traditional gender norms. Some people may argue that this music video does reinforce the male gaze because of the way she is dressed and the actions that are taking place, however, others may see this as an empowering move which she could be showing her confidence.
1) How might this video contribute to Butler’s idea that gender roles are a ‘performance’?
In the video, Beyonce is seen to be contributing different types of characters and adopts multiple different feminine stereotypes such as a housewife.
2) What might van Zoonen suggest regarding the representation of women in this video?
Zoonen argues that the media presents the female body as ‘spectacle’ – sexualised for the benefit of male audiences. In this music video, Beyonce is wearing clothes that are quite revealing and Zoonen could possible suggest that the male audience would watch it mainly for the purpose of their own entertainment and enjoyment.
3) What are YOUR views on this debate – does Beyoncé empower women or reinforce the traditional ‘male gaze’ and oppression of women?
She portrays many different roles that may challenge the traditional gender norms. Some people may argue that this music video does reinforce the male gaze because of the way she is dressed and the actions that are taking place, however, others may see this as an empowering move which she could be showing her confidence.
Watch Will Jay's video for ‘Gangsta’ again:
1) How does the video suggest representations of masculinity have changed in recent years?
This music video suggests that the stereotype of being a strong man is by being a 'gangsta', references violence and being tough (the name of his music video). This video subverts the traditional stereotypes and says that it's not essential to be gangsta to be a man.
1) How does the video suggest representations of masculinity have changed in recent years?
This music video suggests that the stereotype of being a strong man is by being a 'gangsta', references violence and being tough (the name of his music video). This video subverts the traditional stereotypes and says that it's not essential to be gangsta to be a man.
2) What does David Gauntlett suggest about representations of men in the media over the last 20 years?
Gauntlett examined men's lifestyle magazines and discovered a new, completely different image of masculinity. He also suggests that masculinity has evolved over time.
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?
Gauntlett examined men's lifestyle magazines and discovered a new, completely different image of masculinity. He also suggests that masculinity has evolved over time.
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?
I do think that men are still under pressure to act a certain way to be a 'man' because of all the stereotypes and the norms that we have on what it takes to be a man. Things such as strength, power, being tough etc. Young boys may feel like they don't fit in due to the pressure they may have that it making them feel like they need to be what society sees as a 'man'.
Comments
Post a Comment