Further feminist theory: blog tasks

 

Further feminist theory: blog tasks

1) What definitions are offered by the factsheet for ‘feminism ‘and ‘patriarchy’?

Feminism; is defined as a movement that strives for equality for women and men that being socially, economically and institutionally. 

Patriarchy; Its the suppressive nature and power that men hold in our society. 

2) Why did bell hooks publish her 1984 book ‘Feminist Theory: From Margin to Center’?

bell hooks published her book "Margin to Centre" because she had identified the lack of diversity within the feminist movement. This meant that diverse voices that play a critical role in the strive for equality in feminism was marginalised.

3) What aspects of feminism and oppression are the focus for a lot of bell hooks’s work?

The aspect of feminism that bell hooks looks into feminism that would be inclusive and talks about feminist theories in regards to sex, class, and race. 

4) What is intersectionality and what does hooks argue regarding this?

Intersectionality is the overlapping of social identities in relation to oppression, domination and discrimination.  

bell hooks argue that the experiences of class, gender, sexuality, etc, cannot be understood if racialization is not considered. This means that understanding intersectionality is vital to gaining political and social equality.  

5) What did Liesbet van Zoonen conclude regarding the relationship between gender roles and the mass media?

Van Zoonen concludes that the relationship between gender roles and the mass media would be that there would a lot of observer gender identity to understand.   

6) Liesbet van Zoonen sees gender as socially constructed. What does this mean and which other media theorist we have studied does this link to?

Gender as a social construct means that it is something that society has made up to fit a social standard. A media theorist that would also see gender as a social construct would be Judith Butler who had stated "gender as a performance."

7) How do feminists view women’s lifestyle magazines in different ways? Which view do you agree with?

Feminist would often view lifestyle magazines as "commercial sites for exaggerated femininity" this means that lifestyle magazines for women were made to capitalise off of women's bodily insecurities and low self-esteem. Van zoonen argues that women's magazines mediate connotations on how women should culturally and socially i.e dress, wear, look. This would reinforce capitalist agenda to fit them into both the system and patriarchy.  

8) In looking at the history of the colours pink and blue, van Zoonen suggests ideas gender ideas can evolve over time. Which other media theorist we have studied argues this and do you agree that gender roles are in a process of constant change? Can you suggest examples to support your view?

Another media theorist that would agree with gender ideas developing over-time would be Gauntlett, and example would be his theory on gender fluidity. 

9) What are the five aspects van Zoonen suggests are significant in determining the influence of the media?

The five aspects that is significant in determining the influence of the media would be;

- Weather the institution is commercial or public.

- The platform in which they operate (print or digital media).

- Genre (drama or news)

- Target audience.

- The place the media texts hold within' the audiences daily lives.

10) What other media theorist can be linked to van Zoonen’s readings of the media?

It would mulvey, Gauntlett, Judith Butler, and Alvarado. 

11) Van Zoonen discusses ‘transmission models of communication’. She suggests women are oppressed by the dominant culture and therefore take in representations that do not reflect their view of the world. What other theory and idea (that we have studied recently) can this be linked to?

Another theorist that would have the same view with Van Zoonen would be bell hooks as she looks into intersectionality and how that also affects how women see themselves in the media. 

12) Finally, van Zoonen has built on the work of bell hooks by exploring power and feminism. She suggests that power is not a binary male/female issue but reflects the “multiplicity of relations of subordination”. How does this link to bell hooks views on feminism and intersectionality?

This links to bell hooks as she looks at different various of how power can be addressed through a persons class, gender, race and sexuality all that is taught through her work in feminist intersectionality.