MIGRAIN: Feminist theory

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

 Pan Am and Beyonce. 

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

Texts such as these show that there is a no longer a need for feminism due to the representation of women being independent and working in jobs that are aspirational to some of their audiences however, these texts are mainly sexism in a different form as in Pan Am we still see the sexualisation and reinforcement of the male gaze.

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

Patriarchy- man have all the power in the society

Nostalgia- a feeling of the past that you would like to relive/re feel

Feminism- a moment of where women strives for equality and right.

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 argues that gender is a social construction and that it is taught to us by external influences and it’s ingrained at such a young age that we often mistake it as ‘nature’ rather than ‘nurture’.

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

People that are anomalies in the whole society that for some reason don't feel like they are either a man or a woman. 

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

Men act like men and woman act like woman. It helps with drawing in the audience as they already are familiar with it.


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’?

She is just listing things that a woman is "supposed" to do to be loved by a man.

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

This was made for the interest of men as she is wearing provocative cloths.

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

I don't see how wearing thigh, revealing and provocative clothes is empowering woman.

Watch Will Jay's video for ‘Gangsta’ again:



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

Man are becoming weak

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

It is always evolving and that there isn't a attack on masculinity.

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?

Of course they are and they should be. A man has no right to stay weak. It's a mans duty to be strong and to be a protector, to inspire greatness in others and to stand his ground when it comes to defending what he stands for and believes in. Modern media feminises men and is creating weak men. You know how the saying goes, tough times create strong men, strong men create easy times, easy times create weak men, weak men create tough times. It's a cycle that never stops. We are in easy times, where most of the world is in peace and where most people live comfortable lives but comfort creates laziness which is detrimental for society. And I believe that it's a mans nature to strive for strength, that's why somebody like Andrew Tate became so popular because he came as a "saviour" to guys who want to be strong and masculine. Every man at least once though about being the strongest in the world.