Representation Case Study- gender

 Representation Case Study – Genre

Notes

·      Before the 20th century, woman had lower status in society, most media would be made by men, desires and pleasures of male audience were prioritized in media even if target was females, and representation of women fell into categories that focused on relationships to men and they were placed in a domestic sphere

·      Gender theory has begun to research the way men are represented and the impact of the ideas of masculinity

·      Masculinity is the dominant set of values that define the ideals of male behavior.

·      Key masculine traits of early 20th century include head of household, family depended on him, responsible and reliable, breadwinner, etc.

·      In the Uk in 1972 a law was passed that made it illegal to pay women less than men if they were doing the same job became illegal to discriminate against women

·      1960s-1970s: divorce became more popular, contraceptive pill became more available, women have active social lives, traditionally masculine working practices declined and economy started to rely on service industry and technology.

·      Modern culture has been called feminized because of factors like feminine traits being seen to have more value and it is argued that masculinity is in crisis in modern culture.  

·      Since 1980s Action Genre been very popular with audiences. The action hero is a specific representation of masculinity

·      Characters depicted by actors such as Stallone, a Schwarzenegger etc.

·      Representations of masculinity in modern films can be seen as reactions to changes in masculine society.

·      In some modern texts the idea of masculine identity is challenged and questioned

·      Conventional action films attempt to reinforce the binary oppositions of ideas of gender identity

Activities

Activity 1:

Feminine qualities	Masculine qualities
Emotional	Nonchalant
Sensitive	Insensitive
Domestic	Breadwinner
Sexually Passive	Sexual initiator
Quiet	Loud
Submissive	Dominant
A communicator / co-operator	Poor communicators
Physically weak	Strong
Decorative (attractive)	Handsome
The damsel who needs protecting or saving	Hero
Fluid and adaptable	Fixed and solid

 

Activity 2:

Men are now doing more in the house and the partners are now working together. Both the male and female are breadwinners and sometimes the male is a stay at home while the female goes out and works. Women are seen more working in men’s fields of work causing males to now be seen in women fields as well. Males and females are both very equally social and can talk to however they’d like.

 

Activity 3:

Typical 80’s action hero’s have masculine traits such as strength, bravery, independence, leadership and more. These hero’s show that they do not need help and have the strength and courage to do it all. They have a male body which is usually seen as muscular and “jacked”. The stronger they look the more power they have.

 

Activity 4:

There are many other masculine identities of modern film texts. There is matures, moral, and  mentally strong masculinity. They show the attitude and personality of males is films and how they act along with what they may do. In modern film it is shown that males are depicted as the exact opposite. They may be seen acting “feminine”