Friday 24 November 2017

Feminist Theory - Lisbet Van Zoonen


  • She believes in the idea that gender is constructed through discourse, and that its meaning varies according to cultural and historical content.
  • The idea that the display of women's bodies as objects to be looked at is a core element of western patriarchal culture.
  • The idea that in mainstream culture the visual and narrative codes that are used to construct the male body as spectacle differ from those used to objectify the female body. 
Sexualisation vs. Objectification:
S - make something (person or object) exhibit sexual aspects. To define something purely by their perceived physical attractiveness.
O - present somebody as something inanimate or unfeeling. To define somebody purely by their use or function.

The article captions that rumours say, Kylie Jenner is pregnant. However, the photo that anchors the caption has no relevance to the subject, and instead objectifies the woman plainly for her physical attractiveness. It sends the message that her potential pregnancy may interfere with her attractive looks, and could ruin the image she has constructed for herself. This can have an impact on society, as following the theory of the hypodermic needle, people may take from this that it is unacceptable to become pregnant and still be beautiful afterwards. 

This article focuses entirely on objectifying women for their bodies. The article has no other purpose than looking at how the celebrity looks, and their physique. This sends the message that having a slim, toned body is attractive for women, and to men.

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