Feminist theory - blog tasks

1) What examples are provided from the two texts of the 'male gaze' (Mulvey)?

One example would be through Beyoncé and how she "objectified" herself for the camera and the male gaze in order to seem like an independent woman.

Another example can be seen through Pan Am where the image of the stewardesses is highly constructed and mediated with a sole purpose to be admired by women but to be visually enjoyed by 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?

The texts go against the idea that feminism is no longer needed and suggests the idea that post-feminist media today utilises the past to reinforce dominant patriarchal ideologies.

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.

1) How does the writer suggest gender performativity is established from a young age?

He suggests that at a young age children are taught to perform their gender from early on, this is so that they can align themselves with certain tastes that are aligned with their gender. An example provided in the text would be the son who wants to be a scallywag and the daughter who wants to be the dancer.

2) What does the phrase 'non-binary' refer to and how does it link to Butler's theory?

The phrase refers to someone who neither feels like a male or a female.

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 reinforces gender stereotypes because this ensures an audience is attracted, this is because audiences are more likely to be drawn to things that they recognise and they agree with.

Beyonce video analysis.

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

One could say that the way Beyonce is dressed and how she acts throughout the video is a performance in order to instil traditional "feminine" roles which are roles many men perceive women as. The repeated use of make up in the video links to Butlers idea that gender roles are a performance.

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

Van Zoonen might argue that Beyonce is dressed and presented to the world/audiences in a way that reinforces typical western beauty ideals for example looking young, slim etc. She might also suggests that Beyonce is presented as passive in this video.

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

I believe that the way Beyonce looks and her movement may be performed on purpose in order to reinforce the traditional "male gaze" as it appeals to men and their tastes. However in my opinion I believe that Beyonce also empowers women because she is showing women that they can do whatever they want and act however they want to illustrating that although the male gaze exists it should not control one.

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

The idea/belief that men should be perceived as strong, independent and masculine has changed over the recent years as in the video one of the lyrics states "I don't need to be a gangster to be a man" and the singer fails to do a single push up and curl a light weight, this can be seen as the singer/dancer going against traditional masculine values stating that he doesn't need them in order to be a man. Apart from this, in recent years the idea that men should be leaders and furious and take charge is completely challenged and ripped apart in this video as numerous times throughout the video the lighting becomes pink which traditionally is a colour that is used to identity females which contrasts masculinity as a whole.

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

David Gauntlett suggests that masculinity is not in crisis but instead argues that the explosion in media consumption in the 1980s/90s gave audiences a chance to actively construct their identities to whatever they wanted it to be. He also states that most women and men remain somewhat locked in within particular gender roles.

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 believe that throughout the history of the media especially the past 10-20 years men have been represented as weak and feminine which completely goes against traditional values and the origins of men which are that men should be strong and masculine. I believe that a man today doesn't have to necessarily be strong of the likes as a bodybuilder for example but a man should be able to provide for the ones he loves and to be able to protect them self and people around them and to uphold traditional masculine values of determination, goals, faith etc. Nowadays "men" appear weak and I use the term "men" lightly because if you do a quick browse anywhere on any social media platform you see these "men" caked in make up, dressed in "girly clothes" like dresses or blouses dancing in front of thousands of even millions of people. Not only is this bad because this promotes weakness but the viewers become addicted to content like this and they end up agreeing with the idea that a man should show their feelings and be feminine in a way. Moreover, these "men" are all skinny and couldn't do a singular push up to save their life which is quite disheartening to see because over the years men have become and literally have transitioned into becoming females. None of this is a problem to me but the problem arises when audiences especially younger more gullible audiences view content like this and become sucked into the idea that men should be weak. Most of these "men" you see on social media or in real life are frail, skinny, have no goals or determination to achieve anything with their lives or have the will to become better. A quote I go by day to day by Socrates is "It is a shame for a man to grow old without seeing the beauty and strength of which his body is capable. I desire only to know the truth, and to live as well as I can. And, to the utmost of my power, I exhort all other men to do the same." This quote also links quite nicely to the second part of the question, I believe that young men are also under the pressure from the media to act in a certain way however in conclusion I am slightly disappointed to see how the world and especially the media have transformed men into women however as long as it makes them happy then that is fine.