Gender

To explore the impact of

feminism on masculinity

Starter quiz

• What word means ‘society run for men, by men’

• What word did Mosher and Sirkin (1984) use to label men who were aggressive, thrill-seeking and sexually oppressive?

• Who came up with the theory of hegemonic masculinity?

• Was the term she used to label ‘feminine’ males?

• What is the name of Earp and Katz’s (1999) theory?

• Who told us that the media do not present reality, they re-present it?

Starter quiz• What word means ‘society run for men, by men’

– Patriarchy

• What word did Mosher and Sirkin (1984) use to label men who were aggressive, thrill-seeking and sexually oppressive?– Hypermasculinity

• Who came up with the hierarchy of masculinity?– Raewyn Connell

• Was the term she used to label ‘feminine’ males?– Subordinate masculinity

• What is the name of Earp and Katz’s (1999) theory?– Tough Guise

• Who told us that the media do not present reality, they re-present it?– David Buckingham

More Modern Ideologies about Gender

From the 1960s onwards, the second wave of feminism challenged patriarchy, seeking to gain equality for women. They gained increased respect, opportunities and legislation for women, giving them the chance to step into what had once been men’s shoes...

Suddenly it wasn’t unusual for women to:

• Have a serious career

• Wear trousers

• Smoke, drink and swear

• Play football

• Downplay the domestic goddess role

Roles that had previously been traditionally allocated to men.

Which of our key theorists can we apply?

“Men and women are seen working side by side as equals, in hospitals, schools and police stations of TV land. Movie produces are wary of having women as screaming victims, and have realised the kick-ass heroines do better business. Advertisers have now realised that audiences will laugh at images of the pretty housewife, and have reacted by showing women to be sexy at work instead.”Contemporary media products offer audiences a more diverse range of icons and characters, allowing them to ‘pick and mix’ different ideas.

Gauntlett (2002)

The waves of Feminism

• First wave: from the mid 19th to early 20th

century feminist activism was focused on the fight for social and political equality. (The Suffragettes)

• Second Wave: the liberation movement of the 1960’s and 70’s – the struggles for equal pay and rights at work

• Third wave: (early 1990s – present) more emphasis on the positive nature of ambiguity and difference (not all women are the same). They also have links with postmodernismand question the nature of gender difference

RECAP:Judith Butler – Gender Trouble

• The idea that identity is manufactured through a set of acts.

• The idea that there is no gender identity behind the expressions of gender

• The idea that performativity is not a singular act, but a repetition and a ritual.

Emma Watson: “I am a feminist”

Female empowerment or a return to patriarchy?