A Male's Gaze

There has always been a prominent bubble that surrounds the idea of women having different viewpoints based on their actions. Is it because society is willing to allow the idea of women being submissive or women accepting the idea because it is just the way things are supposed to be? In fact, these notions have been present for many years as it was even known back in the Middle Ages that is presented in John Berger’s  “Way of Seeing”. He explains the image and expectations women have to carry in his passage highlighting how the male gaze works. He describes the male gaze as being the way a man can have the right to judge how feminine a woman is due to the way she presents herself. Berger goes on to say, “From earliest childhood she has been taught and persuaded to survey herself continually” (Berger 46). He is basically saying that young girls have to start thinking a certain way early on in their lives so they can mold into a particular being that can fit into a guy’s gaze. This is a factor that sums up society today with the way media portrays specific body types and structures more attractive others. It corresponds to today’s world of women being objectified and being put in positions to compare and contrast with other body types and minds which could be seen in media such as social media, magazines, television, etc. In Berger’s text he wrote, “The real function of the mirror was otherwise. It was to make the woman connive in treating herself as, first and foremost, a sight” when analyzing a portrait of a woman looking into a mirror (Berger 51). This highlights how women should think and understand that their appearance is a very important element in the process of catching a man’s attention. A woman should be noticed from what she is capable of rather than being looked upon by her appearance.

This portrait highlights how the woman is seeing herself as a sight, according to Berger

All throughout history it has been different standing points with both genders. In the recent generations, feminists are speaking up and are being recognized for increasing equality, sexuality, and other factors that break gender notions. However, patriarchy against females still highly exist as there are underlying aspects that surround a woman. From Bell Hooks article, “Understanding Patriarchy”, the author writes about her personal experience and definition of patriarchy that leads to the way genders think now. She describes patriarchy being “a social system that consists of males inherently dominating” while females are expected to carry more of a submissive or weaker traits (Hooks 18). She points out the issues of genders learning this at a young age and having set roles by saying, “We force them [boys] to feel pain and deny feelings” (Hooks 22). I can say this mindset is still strong today because society says it is not okay for males to be ‘softer’ or to express feelings. But personally, I guess within a females gaze I would say that is a genuine part of a male, and shows true character.

A male's gaze

Berger tests today’s society with his points since media plays an immense role with the way a lifestyle should be perceived for females. Apps such as Instagram is a main source that has taken a great shift in forming a newer way to attract a male’s gaze. I say that because the idea of being an Instagram model, using different filters to change original features, and putting in effort for the ‘right’ photo are all stemmed from society’s standards of looking attractive. Looking at pictures and lifestyles of these women are appealing to not only males, but to females because it gives a sense of fantasy to live through. The idea of wearing nice clothes, receiving more likes and comments is an internal pleasure that goes in hand with what males find pleasing. We see these things everyday, sometimes as soon as we wake up making it almost a habit. In my opinion social media has an immense impact on the the way our generation comes to terms with fashion and structure of living; No matter what gender.

Within my own experience, I feel the male’s gaze everyday whether it is to me or a random female walking near me. Males tend to comment on appearances quite frequently whether I am at the mall, campus, or running errands. This relates to the readings because it was said that a woman’s sight is first objectified rather than seeing the capability. Another issue with this is the way a comment is said. Our generation today has normalized random cat calling in the sense of just ignoring it or walking off. However, these comments leave an effect of women verifying the patriarchy notion that Hooks described. The male gaze has been carrying on for thousands of years and has to simmer down if the next generations learn differently.



Work Cited:
Berger, John. Ways Of Seeing. 1973
Hooks, Bell. Understanding Patriarchy, 2005