Classwork Gender

Here is a summary of what we have been learning about in class. We learned about different types of gender / identity theories. 

Gender Theory

All of these three theories build on each other and give us an idea of the role media plays in gender identity.

Judith Butler

Sex and Gender are not the same.

Sex is Biological

Gender is Behavioural

Butler argues that boys are not born wanting to wear blue, girls not born wanting to wear pink. This behaviour is learned. Each day men and women perform their gender rituals, small acts that are expected of them as men and women. 

This is called Gender Performativity

These rituals are shaped by our culture, our family and friends, by our society as a whole. These are then reinforces by the media.

The media primarily exposes us to heterosexual relationships. This Heteronormativity teaches people that being straight is the nromal, expected way to be. The media fails to represent LGBT characters equally. Even when they are included, the narrative is often about how difficult it is to be gay in society.

Reinforcing the message that straight relationships = normal

To break away from these fixed gender roles, people need to subvert gender expectations and perform their own gender rituals.

Laura Mulvey

Mulvey argues that the media represents the world almost entirely from the male perspective. This is because the media is mostly run by me. Mulvey says that men play an active role is narrative, they control what happens. Women play a passive role, things happen to them. A women's purpose in the narrative is as an object, a prize for the male characters, something to be looked at.

When considering how women are shown in the media, we must look at the role of 

- Camera / Producer behind the camera

- Audience

- Male characters in the text

Camera / Producer

Consists almost entirely of men. Producers, directors, cinematographers. They show women in a particular way: Seductive poses, clothing, camera movements slow pan across female form, often starts with legs and tilts up (male gaze), slow motion, physique is highlighted. CU + ECU of lips, legs, feet etc. eye contact with the camera.

Audience

Scopophilia, we gain pleasure from looking at the human from (usually women). 

Voyeurism - sexual pleasure from looking.

Male Characters

Draw audiences attention to the female. They are who the women must impress. A nod between character and audience.

Van Zoonen - Feminine Discourses

Gender is constructed through discourse.

Gender is not fixed, it is constantly being remade through cultural, social, and historical contexts.

Gender representations in the past were simple. Now gender representation are more complex

Constant representations in the media of men in positions of power and women being subservient to them reinforces the patriarchy. Men being in control in the real world. This is unfair because it is men who control the media.

Gender Theory

Personal Identity: Things like your name, hobbies, and personality traits.

Cultural Identity: The traditions, language, or values you share with a group.

Your identity is what makes you, you. It includes how you see yourself, how others see you, and the things that shape who you are - like your personality, background, culture, beliefs, interest, and experiences.

David Gauntlett

He argues that we get some of our identity from the media we consume. Whether intentionally or unintentionally.

- Identity is Fluid and Constructed

- Media as a Resource for Identity

- Representation and Diversity

- Creativity and Self-Expression

- Negotiation of Identity

Reflection: This task was easy because it only had a few theories, but I still sometimes struggle to understand them and how they connect to my product. Even though I showed a few gender roles it my product, I think I need to learn more about these ideas so I can use them better in future projects. Overall, Im satisfied with how it looks and the way I showed the theories.