Videogames: Further feminist theory

 1) What definitions are offered by the factsheet for ‘feminism ‘and ‘patriarchy’?

'Feminism is a movement which aims for equality for women – to be treated as equal to men socially, economically, and politically.'

Patriarchy is the male dominance in society.

2) Why did bell hooks publish her 1984 book ‘Feminist Theory: From Margin to Center’?

bell hooks says she 'identified a lack of diversity within the feminist movement, and argued that these diverse voices had been marginalised, being put outside the main body of feminism.'

3) What aspects of feminism and oppression are the focus for a lot of bell hooks’s work?

“Women in lower class and poor groups, particularly those that are non- white".

4) What is intersectionality and what does hooks argue regarding this?

The term intersectionality is used to describe overlapping or intersecting social identities and related systems of oppression, domination or discrimination.

5) What did Liesbet van Zoonen conclude regarding the relationship between gender roles and the mass media?

Van Zoonen concludes that there is a strong relationship between gender (stereotypes, pornography and ideology) and communication, but it is also the mass media that leads to much of the observable gender identity structures in advertising, film and TV.

6) Liesbet van Zoonen sees gender as socially constructed. What does this mean and which other media theorist we have studied does this link to?

This means that the media and society reinforce stereotypes of what it means to be a man and a woman. This links to Judith Butler's 'gender is a performance'.

7) How do feminists view women’s lifestyle magazines in different ways? Which view do you agree with?

For many years, feminists have criticised women’s magazines as commercial sites of exaggerated femininity which serve to pull women into a consumer culture on the promise that the products they buy will alleviate their own bodily insecurities and low self-esteem. I don't agree with just one perspective as i see women's lifestyle magazines being helpful and inspiring for audiences however it could be argued that it reinforces traditional stereotypes as most women's magazines focus on beauty and fashion.

8) In looking at the history of the colours pink and blue, van Zoonen suggests ideas gender ideas can evolve over time. Which other media theorist we have studied argues this and do you agree that gender roles are in a process of constant change? Can you suggest examples to support your view?

This can be linked to Butler- gender is a performance as gender performativity such as wearing colour like pink and blue are reinforced by repetition and through dominant patriarchal ideologies.

9) What are the five aspects van Zoonen suggests are significant in determining the influence of the media?

  • Objectified – in media products aimed at both men and women.
  • Restricted to secondary roles.
  • Constructed to present women as passive.
  • Framed differently – camerawork and mise-en-scene emphasise appearance or sexuality.
  • Presented to reinforce western beauty ideals (e.g. young, slim, white etc.)
10) What other media theorist can be linked to van Zoonen’s readings of the media?

Judith Butler

11) Van Zoonen discusses ‘transmission models of communication’. She suggests women are oppressed by the dominant culture and therefore take in representations that do not reflect their view of the world. What other theory and idea (that we have studied recently) can this be linked to?

Conceptual map - Stuart Hall

12) Finally, van Zoonen has built on the work of bell hooks by exploring power and feminism. She suggests that power is not a binary male/female issue but reflects the “multiplicity of relations of subordination”. How does this link to bell hooks views on feminism and intersectionality?

Intersectionality is not just a perspective of personal identity, it is a way to view power hierarchies within identities.

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