Feminist theory: blog tasks

 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)?

 In Pan Am, the male gaze is shown through slow-motion shots of the stewardesses’ legs and bodies and the way men turn to stare at them in the airport. Laura is first introduced on a magazine cover, presenting her as an image to be admired. In Beyoncé’s Why Don’t You Love Me, the male gaze appears through revealing costumes, close-ups of her body, and her direct eye contact with the camera, which invites the audience to look at her.

2) Do texts such as these show there is no longer a need for feminism or are they simply sexism in a different form?

 These texts do not show that feminism is no longer needed. Although they appear playful and empowering, they still rely on women being judged by their appearance and needing male attention or approval. This suggests sexism still exists but in a more subtle, post-feminist form rather than being completely challenged.

3) Choose three words/phrases from the glossary of the article and write their definitions on your blog.

The male gaze refers to the way media often presents women as objects of visual pleasure for men. Post-feminism is the belief that society has moved beyond the need for feminism because equality has already been achieved. Patriarchy is a system where men hold most of the power and women are often treated as inferior.

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?
The writer suggests gender performativity is established from a young age because ideas about how to be male or female are taught to us early through family, society, and especially the media. These ideas become so normal that we mistake them for natural behaviour rather than learned behaviour.
2) What does the phrase 'non-binary' refer to and how does it link to Butler's theory?

The phrase non-binary refers to people who do not identify as completely male or completely female. This links to Butler’s theory because it challenges the idea that gender is fixed and binary, showing instead that gender is performed and can exist outside traditional categories.

3) How and why does the media help reinforce gender stereotypes? The writer provides several examples in the final section of the article.

he media reinforces gender stereotypes by repeatedly showing the same ideas about masculinity and femininity, making them seem normal and realistic. It does this because stereotypes are easy for audiences to recognise and understand, and they help keep existing power structures in place by presenting certain groups, especially men, as dominant.

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?’: 

https://youtu.be/QczgvUDskk0

1) How might this video contribute to Butler’s idea that gender roles are a ‘performance’?

The video supports Butler’s idea that gender is a performance because Beyoncé is clearly acting the role of the 1950s housewife. Her exaggerated outfits and behaviour show femininity as something constructed rather than natural.

2) What might van Zoonen suggest regarding the representation of women in this video?

Van Zoonen would likely say the video is contradictory. Beyoncé appears confident and in control, but she is still sexualised and judged by her appearance, which links her value to male attention.

3) What are YOUR views on this debate – does Beyonce empower women or reinforce the traditional ‘male gaze’ and oppression of women? 

I think Beyoncé does both. She seems empowering because she is confident and self-aware, but the video still relies on the male gaze and shows emotional dependence on a man.

Watch Will Jay's video for ‘Gangsta’:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmLsiFNgN20&embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Fmediamacguffin12.blogspot.com%2F

1) How does the video suggest representations of masculinity have changed in recent years?

The video shows masculinity has changed by presenting a man who is emotional and vulnerable rather than aggressive or dominant.

2) What does David Gauntlett suggest about representations of men in the media over the last 20 years?

Gauntlett suggests that representations of men are more diverse now, with less pressure to fit one masculine stereotype, which fits the message of this video.

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 think young men are still under pressure from the media, but there is now more space for different types of masculinity, even if stereotypes haven’t disappeared completely.