Masculinity in crisis update;

Hi, all,
Thanks to everyone who visited the final facilitation and offered up great conversation for all three presentations.

Some key takeaways from my presentation were--

1. Identity of masculinity being dependent inherently on what is feminine

2. Masculinity is changing as rapidly as the ongoing discourse of gender itself.

3. Our normative ideals of masculinity are often antiquated, aggressive, and without inhibitors due to the institutionalized hegemony of masculinity.

We also noted it was important that we de-gender acts-- a performance may be considered masculine if it is militaristic, or feminine if it is overly sympathetic. Just as objects are gendered inaccurately we should avoid gendering actions of particular impressionability as being inherently masculine or feminine.

One scholar in the field of gender communication that could be and was used to further the discussion is Bell Hooks.

Another could be Simon De Beauvoir,

Finally, I would like to further part of the discussion on gendered acts,

We saw in class discussion that workplace environments can often present opportunities for masculinity to recede or be used as a tool for assertion. With that in mind, what are some other roles or identities that we assume that we consider typically masculine?

One Last Look Through A Critical Gendered Lens

Hello everyone!

Chapter 12 is entitled "One Last Look Through A Critical Gendered Lens" and it acts as somewhat of a conclusion and summary of the main topics discussed throughout the book. This section of the textbook recaps important foundations to the study of gender in communication like dismissing the gender binary, utilizing a critical gendered lens in our everyday lives and being a good communicator.

This quote from the textbook plays on the overall goal that the authors had in mind: "Gender/sex is about real lives. Everyone faces real consequences if people do not recognize and resist the intensification of hegemonic masculinity and hyperfemininity. We hope you can help create a future in which the people around you -- family, friends, acquaintances, co-workers, children -- will be freer to be themselves without fear of harm. It will take everyone... working... together." This is the ultimate goal of the textbook: to educate the uneducated and in time, make a change to the way people view gender for the betterment of society.

Important terms to keep in mind for the presentation:
- critical gendered lens
- gender difference approach
- choice
- gender diversity vs. gender difference
- adaptability

Consider these questions:
- what kind of small initiative could you take to make a change about the way gender is performed and viewed in society?
- do you think that you look at the world through a critical gendered lens and if so, how has it changed the way that you see the world and gender?
- how do the choices you make about your gender play into the larger political environment of gender itself?

Best,
Conor Donachie

Sexualization of Women

Hello All!

            The section I will be discussing and the topic in which we will be opening up Monday’s class discussion with is the sexualization of women through the institution of media. The selected reading for this upcoming class can be found in the library database entitled Gendered Media: The Influence of Media on Views of Gender, by Julia T. Wood. The article discusses the portrayal of both men and women in media as well as the dynamic displayed between the two.

“Woven throughout our daily lives, media insinuate their messages into our consciousness at every turn. All forms of media communicate images of the sexes, many of which perpetuate unrealistic, stereotypical, and limiting perceptions” (Wood, 1994). Whether it is an advertisement, news story or even just in the comfort of our homes, we see a demonstration of the sexualization of women and the roles that have been assigned to them. Even the dolls children play with possess the “ideal” body type and are dressed in “sexy” clothing. 

Throughout the article, Wood brings up three themes that I want you to be mindful of:

1.     Underrepresentation

2.     Stereotypes

3.     Roles that have been enforced and normalized between women and men

Also, the textbook discusses in depth the sexualization of women. After reading both the chapter and the article consider these questions:

1.     When does sexualization occur?

2.     Where do we see this sexualization occur?

3.     What are the results or consequences of sexualization?

4.     What is self-objectification and in what ways do individuals self objectify?

5.     What behaviors have occurred and been normalized due to sexualization?

I look forward to discussing and exchanging ideas this Monday!


Hello class, 

             I thoroughly enjoyed our last discussion together. We talked a lot about the portrayals of women in media and how this affects our perception of women in the real world. The sexualization of women normalizes violence, reinforces gender expectations and limits women's individuality. Also, it was established that women of color are sexualized differently than white women and that men can also be sexualized. However, we agreed that media is an institution that benefits the white, heterosexual, male. With all of this being said, we seemed to spend the most time brain storming ideas on how to solve the gender inequality that exists in media and how to help prevent negative outcomes from the sexualization of women. 

Continuing the discussion....
            I would love to hear more opinions on how these issues should be approached. Also, we determined that this sexualization appears on various forms of media and that these messages are being fed to us constantly. What are some specific examples of where you all have seen sexualization? Approach this critically and explain the problematic details of this display. 

Thank you all for an interesting semester! 
Kait 

Masculinity in Crisis

Class,

Monday, along with other peers, I will be presenting on 'Masculinity in crisis.'

Julia T. Woods-- "The media present a distorted version of cultural life in our country. . ." (1994.)

Robert Hanke-- "hegemonic masculinity is won not only through coercion but through consent, even though there is never complete consensus. . ." (1998)

Having these quotes in mind we can examine five defining characteristics of U.S. Hegemonic Masculinity within scope : (Nick Trujillo, 1991.)

1. power means physical force and control;

2. occupational achievement;

3. familial patriarch; in which the man is the breadwinner;

4. symbolized by the frontiersman and the outdoors man;

5. heterosexual.

The textbook examines traditional prominence of what is considered 'masculine' in an array of media outlets, as well as hashing over how, and what, responses arise out of a perceived collapse of the traditional every-man.
We've collectively been exposed to traditional heroes like Siegfried, Achilles, even Super Mario, for centuries. More contemporarily the John Waynes, Steve McQueens, Chris Pratts, Chris Evans and Arnold Schwarzeneggers have been idols of those seeking a mold or model for the actions of the manly-man.
In questioning this role, one could ask;

1. Is it necessary to have ideals for masculine and feminine types? Do they require wider consensus if so?

2. Is masculinity in crisis to begin with? Or is its acceptance of typically feminist critique just an example a growing reach of what is considered masculine?

3. Is reinforcing masculinity typically or inherently violent? Or harmful/dangerous for other individuals or role and identity types?

4. Can masculinity be 'soft'?

5. Who is the most masculine person you know and does their perceived identity accentuate or hide this?


Terms to keep in mind:

--Hypermasculine

--Caregiver and Breadwinner

--Normalization

--Crisis

--Fulfillment

--Competence

Julia T. Woods Article on Gendered media: https://www1.udel.edu/comm245/readings/GenderedMedia.pdf

Veiling Practices (updated since presentation)

Hi Everyone!

Presentation link if anyone needs to reference it at all:
http://prezi.com/wr2r-d8y-nzr/?utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=copy=

Also another cool video that tricked me a couple times: (Watch and see how many you can get right)

https://www.facebook.com/MvslimInspires/videos/1171243186278954/


So here is the article that we have decided to use in order to fully understand religion as a means for liberation and oppression:

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/29/opinion/wanted-leaders-to-turn-interfaith-conflict-into-trust.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FMuslim%20Americans&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics&region=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=2&pgtype=collection&_r=0

In the class discussion there was talk of appropriation and what exactly was considered appropriate when deciding to wear a head covering when not practicing this religion. Overall, If you are playing "dress up" for the sake up playing dress up and not paying respect to origin then it could possibly align with appropriation of other cultures. Also, we discussed the issues of Islamophobia and the strengthening of that issue as people find excuses to come out of the wood-works because they think it is okay to behave that way. I think as a class we could conclude that there is a blanket of ignorance when other religions view veiling practices; not knowing that most religions in fact practice these kinds of covering practices (i.e. nuns, wedding ceremonies, etc.). Maybe we could consider ways that may create religiously diverse tolerance for one another. How do you think this could happen successfully?

The reading may help explain the question above as it offers a means for understanding and calls attention to the issue of religious intolerance across the board. An article like this could have been useful years ago and persistence is key. You can not create acceptance and safety in religious practice only when a political election doesn't go your way; there needs to be constant discussion. What do you think?

Basic Info From The Presentation:
In veiling practices there are many different perspectives that can be taken. One of the easiest way to understand the veiling practices from each religion is to converse with the person who is actually wearing the veil or covering. Though veiling has been present in most religions at some point or another, most often it is only referenced when discussing Islamic culture and tradition. Consider the type of veil being worn, and on what occasion. Different veils have different messages and different representations. The article cites instances of religious intolerance and ignorance as a need to resolve interfaith conflict. I think that this is a valid perspective to take, however it also cites the election of president elect Trump as fuel to consider the racial intolerance as "new" issues; Do you think this is valid?

Given that overview and reading the article, consider the following discussion questions for commentary:

1. What are your experiences with veiling practices?

2. Based on the article, what are the implications of freedom of expression, via the veil practice, when considering the new government that will take place in January?

3. What are some suggestions to dealing with religious bias or intolerance conflict?

4. How would you take the definition of "religiously diverse democracy" (from the article) and form your own definition based on how you experience the tensions?

Media Hegemony or Polysemy, Media Polyvalence

Hi everyone! I will be presenting on Thursday about media hegemony and polysemy as well as media polyvalence. As an introduction to my topic, here is a brief description of the terms:  

• Media hegemony is the way a dominant ideology is diffused to, and accepted by, subordinate groups. In other words, the way that media can portray a certain idea to the public to make the public take that specific belief as the truth, with little to no room for interpretation.
• “...mass media have a considerable power over people as they “churn out products which keep the audience blandly entertained, but passive, helping to maintain the status quo by encouraging conformity and diminishing the scope of resistance” (p. 228)

• Polysemy counters this belief. Media polysemy is the idea that media is open to a range of different interpretations at different times. This suggests that it is not determined by the media providers but is created individually by each member of the audience. This side argues that “people do not consume media offerings mindlessly but instead actively and creatively engage with them” (p. 228).
• Media polyvalence occurs when audience members share understandings of the denotations of a text but disagree about the importance of these denotations to such a degree that they produce notably different interpretations. This means that viewers generally agree on the meaning or ideas of a given message, but may or may not agree with what the message is actually trying to convey.

You can find the article that I have chosen at this link and I would like you to read pages 9-16: http://wmc.3cdn.net/83bf6082a319460eb1_hsrm680x2.pdf

Here are a few questions to keep in mind while you are reading and to think about in preparation for class:

1. Why do you think the media, specifically news coverage, is still so dominated by men? Do you think this has anything to do with hegemonic, polysemous or polyvalence ideologies?
2. Think of an advertisement or a commercial that you’ve seen, how does that advertisement, or advertising as a whole, relate to these ideals?

*UPDATED SINCE PRESENTATION*

In class, we talked about the different theories in which media is interpreted by an audience and how these theories affect our understandings. We had a discussion about the various usages and examples of these forms, but specifically hegemony, within media. We talked about how these concepts are commonly shown within media and how these can correlate with gendered representations, such as within the article. The article talks about how media is predominantly a male a field, it also discusses how the majority of female journalists report on topics related to the home or cooking while men are assigned much different stories. Why do you think this is and how can this relate to the aforementioned theories of interpretation?

Scholar Bonnie Dow (1996) argues that media is “simultaneously a commodity, an art form, and an important ideological forum for public discourse about social issues and social change”,  thinking about the examples shown in class, or  examples from your own experiences, how important is it for us to recognize media as entertainment as well as an important and accurate representation of current societal landscapes?

Who Is Represented In Media

Hey guys! here is the link to the article I chose on who is represented in media. It is a PDF with many pages, so I would like you to read pages 58-62.

http://wmc.3cdn.net/83bf6082a319460eb1_hsrm680x2.pdf

Here are some questions to keep in mind when reading the article for when we have class on Thursday.



Q: Have you noticed a trend when using media that certain people are underrepresented? Were you surprise by the statistics provided?

Q: What are some specific examples in some of the shows you watched or any media that you have used recently where this had occured?


Thank you for your participation and I will see you on Thursday!