MIGRAIN: Feminist theory

1) What examples are provided from the two texts of the 'male gaze' (Mulvey)? 
One example is how Beyonce is objectified herself on the camera for 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? Texts such as this suggest that is there no more need to post feminism.
3) Choose three words/phrases from the glossary of the article and write their definitions on your blog.

Feminism- the advocacy of women's rights on the basis of the equality of the sexes.

Post- feminism - a societal perception that many or all of the goals of feminism have already been achieved.

3rd wave feminism- A movement which encouraged women to be more dominant. This is led by "Gen Z"

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?  He suggested that gender has been taught to young children to perform.

2) What does the phrase 'non-binary' refer to and how does it link to Butler's theory? This means someone who does not identify as male or 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 so they can capture a audience who can relate.


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’? Beyonce does act in traditional female stereotypes along this video. This reinforces Butler's idea that gender is a performance to be played with.

2) What might van Zoonen suggest regarding the representation of women in this video? This video is reinforcing western beauty stereotypes such as looking young and slim.

3) What are YOUR views on this debate – does Beyonce empower women or reinforce the traditional ‘male gaze’ and oppression of women?  Beyonce is attempting to empower the women in the video by suggesting they can do whatever they want. However, the male gaze effect is still being in play throughout,

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



1) How does the video suggest representations of masculinity have changed in recent years? The video above completely shattered the biological male stereotypes and makes them seem weak due to not being able to do a single push up or curl a lightweight. This is a beta male in its natural habitat.

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 a crisis and the massive media consumption allows people to construct their identity.

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 since the 2000s men have been represented as feminine and weak which completely goes against the natural biology of humans. Men are biologically supposed be dominant, aggressive and be a protector of his family. Media has conditioned young men into getting rid of these dominant genes. No the media gives young men to much freedom. This does not allow them to develop as a man later in life. A movie called "Fight Club" reinforces in that fact that society is failing young men.