MIGRAIN: Feminist 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)?
Pan am and Beyonce`s song "Why dont you love me"
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 highlight a clear need for feminism as they both highlight the idea of objectifying women as something to use or look at, which is a major problem as they should be treated as people instead.
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.
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?
The way a child is brought up and raised determines the world they are exposed to and what they take in and learn, including which gender they should be and follow.
2) What does the phrase 'non-binary' refer to and how does it link to Butler's theory?
Non-binary is someone wo identifies with neither male or female and prefer to be in the middle. This breaks the norms of society allowing someone to be who they want to be without any restrictions.
3) How and why does the media help reinforce gender stereotypes? The writer provides several examples in the final section of the article.
The hashtag EverydaySexism is a good example of the reinforcement of stereotypical messages on twitter. This is due to the fact that thousands of people still believe in the ideoligy that men are far more superior than women and that idea still has a while before its completely eradicated.
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.
Watch the Beyonce video for ‘Why Don’t You Love Me?’ again:
1) How does the writer suggest gender performativity is established from a young age?
The way a child is brought up and raised determines the world they are exposed to and what they take in and learn, including which gender they should be and follow.
2) What does the phrase 'non-binary' refer to and how does it link to Butler's theory?
Non-binary is someone wo identifies with neither male or female and prefer to be in the middle. This breaks the norms of society allowing someone to be who they want to be without any restrictions.
3) How and why does the media help reinforce gender stereotypes? The writer provides several examples in the final section of the article.
The hashtag EverydaySexism is a good example of the reinforcement of stereotypical messages on twitter. This is due to the fact that thousands of people still believe in the ideoligy that men are far more superior than women and that idea still has a while before its completely eradicated.
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.
Watch the Beyonce 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’?
This video shows through the actions and lyrics how she is trying to impress a man through her actions instead of emotions, giving him a performance of work instead of love.
2) What might van Zoonen suggest regarding the representation of women in this video?
How this video clearly builds upon the idea of objectifying women as something to be looked at as throughout the video Beyonce is wearing very suggestive clothing, therefore feeding into the idea of a Male gaze.
3) What are YOUR views on this debate – does Beyonce empower women or reinforce the traditional ‘male gaze’ and oppression of women?
This video shows through the actions and lyrics how she is trying to impress a man through her actions instead of emotions, giving him a performance of work instead of love.
2) What might van Zoonen suggest regarding the representation of women in this video?
How this video clearly builds upon the idea of objectifying women as something to be looked at as throughout the video Beyonce is wearing very suggestive clothing, therefore feeding into the idea of a Male gaze.
3) What are YOUR views on this debate – does Beyonce empower women or reinforce the traditional ‘male gaze’ and oppression of women?
I think there is a mixed message, as Beyonce is known for her subliminal empowerment messages in many of her songs, whereas in this one she is shown to be the one taking control, however is still wanting the attention of a man for her efforts.
Watch Will Jay's video for ‘Gangsta’ again:
1) How does the video suggest representations of masculinity have changed in recent years?
Men no longer have to act in the previous ways of history, for example as stated, a gangster.
2) What does David Gauntlett suggest about representations of men in the media over the last 20 years?
Masculinity is evolving and no longer requiring stereotypical images and now enables a man to be and act how he wants.
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 dont personally believe its anywhere near as bad as it used to be, as men are now encouraged to be who they want, not what other people or society want. Sure people may still be pressured but its not anywhere near as severe.
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