men revised

Question 1

masculinity in the media

Answer 1

Connell - number of masculine identity - more than one - different levels of status

hegemonic - most status - idealised form of masculinity is represented as desirable
subordinate masculinity - gay and black masculinity - represented as deviant or less desirable

retributive masculinity

men’s magazines - lad’s mags - symbolically relegate women to sex objects
rutherford - retributive masculinity - birds, booze and football

Question 2

men’s representation in the media

Answer 2

Children now - asked boys between 10 and 17 perceptions of male characters they saw on TV

media representations of men did not reflect changing work and family experiences of most men
- violent, confident, athletic, unemotional
more than 1/3 boys never seen a man doing domestic chores on TV

according to the children now research - some of the most popular stereotypes
The Joker - kevin hart
The Jock - Troy high school musical
Buffoon - homer simpson

McNamara - analysed newspapers, magazines and TV - media representations of men and boys failed to portray reality - 80% were negative eg thugs, abusers

Question 3

Ideological construction of masculinity

Answer 3

Edwards - primary role of men’s style magazines is to encourage spending amongst its readers - consumption to join style elite

Adorno - marxist - commodity fetishism - men’s magazines as part of cultural industry creating false needs and replacing more critical art forms

The masculine myth:

Easthorpe - variety of media - films, video games - present a view of aggression, strength and violence
Hollywood action hero - ultimate embodiment of myth - most males know they cannot achieve this goal - still internalise it - actors - short term change for role
Notion men have physical, cultural and emotional power as part of their male identity

Question 4

Rise of new masculine identities

Answer 4

McNamara - 20% of media representations of masculinity focused on men and boys in touch with feminine side eg fashion
- hipster identity symbolic of being metrosexual

Gauntlett - men’s media eg men’s health - metrosexual values - centred on helping men be considerate lovers

Question 5

Decline of traditional forms of masculinity

Answer 5

Lose the lad’s mags campaigns

men’s magazines present women for benefit becoming increasingly obsolete due to lose the lad’s mags campaigns
decline of retributive masculinity