(This picture showcases the same magazine, GQ, Showcasing women wearing little to no clothing, showing their whole bodies. Meanwhile, the men are completely clothed and shot in a way that you dont see their bodies at all
None of this has changed because of our silence as a society on not only this issue, but also the silent standard of Patriarchy in 2018. Bell Hooks states that Patriarchy means a male-dominated world showcasing men as in charge at all times. She addresses the fact that men don't typically use the word, and that the word Patriarchy is actually attached to women empowerment, feminism. Although it seems as though Patriarchy is a term that is reviewed as negative by women, Bell Hooks states its not man's fault that men are brought up to be the dominant race, but all of our faults that the world is still a patriarchy. "This rule of silence is upheld when the culture refuses everyone easy access even to the word 'patriarchy'. Most children do not learn what to call this system of institutionalized gender roles, so rarely do we name it in everyday speech."(Hooks, 25). There is a silent enforcement that showcases men as strong, powerful, and in charge since the day children are born. Women are seen are gentle, submissive, and emotional creatures since the day children are born. If either gender breaks from their "stereotypical" roles, they are seen as an outcast from societal norms. For example, if a woman tries to take a place of power, she is seen as aggressive, needy, and whiney. But, when a man is in a place of power, he is commended and is seen as a leader. The picture below shows multiple phrases that are said by men to women of all ages in different situations. Personally, I can relate to this picture. I have been told many times by guys that I am "Intimidating" because I am opinionated. It could be as simple as picking a restaurant to eat at because everyone around me kept saying "I don't know.". I like to keep things simple and to the point, and I am not one to stay silent, especially in situations that I can change something for the better.
(We often say that humanity is all of us, men women and children. But, this picture showcases that women are seen at a lower standard than men. Notice how the men are downgrading women's words with words like "sweetie", "bitch" and "crazy".
Honestly, I have not seen any of these perspectives against women until I started taking this class. Looking at the pictures like GQ, seeing advertisements for Victoria Secret, or even looking at historical artwork, I now see art and popular culture in a totally different light. Take the following picture, for example, created in 1879. In the Conservatory by Edouard Manet, we see a man and a woman in a conservatory, with the woman sitting relaxedly on a bench, and the man looking clearly at her body. Before this class, I would not have realized the man staring at the woman in a sexualized way. As I read the write up from manet.org, it is not stated anywhere how the man is looking at the woman. They describe the woman as "A dainty flower bright with the first bloom of youth", while they describe the man has "handsome worldliness" and is "some years older than she is.". This is extremely common in art from the 1800's but even is common in the 2000's. Women wearing little to no clothes, being gawked at by a man, sexualized, and set up specifically for the Male Gaze. Notice how the men in all of the pictures are completely clothed, or at least clothed more than the women in the photos/magazines. This is exactly what Berger describes as the Male Gaze, and how Hooks describes Patriarchy. We believe that in 2018 we have changed positively as a society, but we don't address how history isnt repeating itself, it merely has stayed static.
(This image shows a man staring at a woman's body, showcasing that women are sexualized even when completely clothed.
(Notice how the women are being groped by the man, and showing much more skin than the man is.
(Although the man is showing a bit of his chest, they weigh it out by making the women completely naked. Notice how the man is sexually looking at the woman next to him, with the woman having a relaxed, emotionless face. The woman below also has a stern, emotionless face as well.
Works cited:
"Designing Women For Magazine Covers Uncovered", network9.biz, author unknown, date unknown, https://network9.biz/brand-design/uncovered-designing-women-for-magazine-covers/
"In the Conservatory, 1879 by Edouard Manet", manet.org, author unknown, date unknown, http://www.manet.org/in-the-conservatory.jsp
"Women v Men", ethicsoffashionadvertising.wordpress.com, Halllejane, April 29, 2014. https://ethicsoffashionadvertising.wordpress.com/tag/mens-magazine/
No comments:
Post a Comment