Feminism in the media.

LAURA MULVEY: The Male Gaze - Men have more active roles whilst women are more passive. Mulvey sees the representation of women in film and literature as neing dominated by a male point of view.

• Men play active roles which drive the narrative.
• Women play passive roles and are seen as erotic objects which slow the narrative.
• Men far outnumber women.
• Female roles are sidelined.
• Lead roles for women and scarce.

Stereotypes of women:

• Bimbo
• Females physical attractions such as figure and breasts overpower the male
• Easy
• Housewife
• Mother
• Intelligent yet willing to settle down

Male Gaze:
     Two distinct modes of the male gaze of this era: Voyeuristic and fetishistic.
     Women were given two character types - sexually active female and powerless female.
     Films presented images of women that were produced simply for the gratification of male viewers.

     Various studies in the 1970s found men to be the dominant characters in decision makers in film and TV. 

When women are given important roles they were more likely to be shown as:

• Frightened
• In need of protection, direction.
• Offering support to the male lead characters.
• Not independent or self driven.
• Generally weaker.
• Still objectified sexually.

                  "Women, in any fully human form, have almost completely been left out of film..." - Laura Mulvey

Changes in society:

As womens roles change so does media representation. Still objectified but also likely to be...

• Career driven
• Intelligent
• Confident
• Empowered
• Able (violent)

Remember changes may be made cynically and in order to make money rather than to change ideologies.

Misogny - Against women - really sexist.