Gender and Identity

L.O to understand the role of the workplace and the media in shaping gender identities

The MediaL.O to understand the role of the media in shaping gender identities

The MediaGill and Heideckerhoff suggest that ‘chick lit’ such as Bridget Jones type characters present women as being judged upon their personal appearance and ultimately desparate, weak and in need of a man to rescue them

Storey

Claimed the rock and roll music of Elvis and Buddy Holly reinforced an aggressive masculinity as a response to an uncaring world.

List examples of how this might be applicable to today’s popular music

The New ManThe women’s increased financial independence and spending power led to women making increased demands on menThe new woman wanted a new man; “has to be gentle not weak, malleable but not limp, masterful but not macho, sensitive but not shallow. He has to cook! He has to clean! He has to garden and decorate” (Dennis in Whelehan 2000)The ‘new man’ was propagated by stylish men’s magazines such as GQ and Arena;Gaunlett observed that in these magazines a man could acquire grooming tips, cooking tips and how to cater for his lady’s tastesThe founding of the new man prepared men for a more feminine workplace, it is considered now ok to buy cosmetic products and to cook

The future???

Manufacturing work continues to decline

Men’s magazines have become more misogynist and sexist since the release of the weeklies; Nuts and Zoo

Methods

1 Identify and explain two reasons why there was a second interview process in the research design. (8)

2. Outline some of the practical and ethical problems associated with the study of children and young people. (12)

 

The study

3. Identify two reasons why some boys struggle with notions of masculinity (4)

4. Identify three elements of hegemonic masculinity. (6)

L.O to understand the role of the peer group

in shaping masculinities

Peer Groups

Write down a list of words that young males use to insult girls

What do these words have in common?

Do these labels have the same meaning if they are given to boys

The WorkplaceL.O to understand the role of the

workplace in shaping masculinities

Traditional working class masculinities

Traditionally working class men would leave school knowing where they would workUsually it would be in a large industrial workplaceThe job would be acquired through acquaintancesThe job would provide enough money for the young man pay for a new family’s needsThe working man’s role was regarded highly by allBy virtue of being the breadwinner he earned the loyalty of his wife and family

•The Crisis in MasculinityThis concept ,created by Mac an Ghail, was used to describe marginalised masculinities McDowell refers to the plight of working class men in today’s society as ‘Redundant Masculinities

Social changeSince the 1980s traditional working class men’s roles have diminished as mines have been shut downMuch of the manufacturing work has been outsourced to countries where labour is much cheaper Lower status work has been replaced by the service sector and the retail industryThe characteristics required of service sector and retail staff are far different from those displayed on the shop-floor;The overt displays of masculinity typically displayed on the shop-floor on not welcome in the ‘feminised’ workplaceFeminists have brought about raised awareness and pushed for legislative change to allow more equal opportunitiesAll these factors have led to the growing presence of women in the workplace and consequently women are less reliant on the man as the sole breadwinner ’

The Full Monty

Write down ways in which this film illustrates the ‘Crisis in Masculinity’