Gender, Identity and Representation

Sex and Gender 

Sex - biological difference between male and female. Official documents/legal requirements etc. 
Gender - the cultural roles of masculinity and femininity - social constructs.

Definitions of gender are specific to time and place, they change over time and reflect broader cultural change (political, economic, scientific and social etc. It's reflected in visual culture. 

Key debates on gender 
-Gender and power structures (eg. cultural patriarchy)
=Essentialism (nature) vs structuralism (nurture) 
-Political, economic, scientific, and social attributes that effect gender.

The male gaze
- Reduces women down to objects.
- Viewed by three perspectives; the man behind the camera, characters within the film representation, the male viewer. 

Erving Goffman - Gender Advertisements 

- 'Binary' representation of men and women.
- Presence of a woman is different to a man.
- Men are seen as assertive, decision makers (instructors)
- Women in supportive roles (instructed)

The Tiger Who Came To Tea

- Children's book written in the 1960's, still in publication today
- Reinforces gender stereotypes - ordinary family life, with mother in kitchen cooking/cleaning before father comes home from work. 
- Power dynamic of male / female roles. 
- No other female roles outside of the mother and child - every other role is male; milkman, delivery boy, father, etc. 
- Male tiger is disruptive, gluttonous etc. Father is seen as the hero, saves the day. 

Style magazines 
- Leisure vs work - magazines occupy the world of leisure.
- Status, focuses on selling a future, or a happier self.
- Consumerism, content that links to gender identity with consumerism (advertising)
- Sexuality - 'normalised' heterosexual relationships, attitudes to sex are being redefined. 

Cover analysis - Tom Holland GQ vs Khloé Kardashian Cosmopolitian 

GQ Tom Holland 
- Colour scheme is more dark and serious, more sophisticated. Also reflected in the typeface. 
- Text positioning is more coherent, more organised. Adds to serious feel. 
- Bust shot portrait, gender roles reinforced with suit. 

Cosmopolitian Khloé Kardashian  
- Colours are brighter, subject matter is more personal and less about the wider world. Gossip like?
- Text placement is more spontaneous, messier looking. Less serious. 
- Casual clothing, full body position, showing off whole body. Reinforcing gender roles and femininity.

Regressive argument?
- Heterosexual in context and outlook.
- Reinforce/obscure patriarchy.
- Link gender and consumerism.
- Unrealistic role models.

Progressive argument?
- Post modern texts, irony and humour. 
- Provide sense of community. 
- Encourage dialogue between man and woman.
- Provide cultural place for gender identities to be explored. manipulated or preserved. 
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