Van Zoonen's Feminist Theory💡

Question 1

Who was this Feminist Theory created by?

Answer 1

Lisbet van Zoonen

Question 2

What is the first thing Van Zoonen argues?

Answer 2

1. We get our ideas about gender from discourse / the media products we consume (e.g. damsel in distress, men save the girl and the day)
2. Our ideas about gender and gender change have to be looked at in terms of historical and cultural context. For example, our ideas of being feminine and masculine in modern Britain may be different from views in the Middle East.
3. She believes women are objectified in the media and are seen as decoration or the ‘damsel in distress’. Often occurs in music videos and adverts.
   Women are seen as commodities (something that makes money). She believes this is because we live in a patriarchal society, and because men tend to make media products, women will continue to be objectified and sexualized.
4. She believes women are presented as domestic, emotional, and nurturing homemakers, and they are confined to this domestic sphere because of the media.
   Men are seen as individuals, suited to business, politics, and the workplace.
5. She argues men’s and women’s bodies are presented in different ways:
   Men’s bodies = a ‘spectacle’, something to admire, they have worked hard for it, and they’re spectacular.
   Women’s bodies = we should lust over it, no credit for her body

Question 3

What is discourse?

Answer 3

The communication from the media (e.g. films, magazines, news).

Question 4

What is a patriarchal society?

Answer 4

A society dominated by men.