Women in the Media: From Exploitation to Empowerment ‘Politicking the Personal’
An Annotated Bibliography
Caplan, Pat. "Sex, Sexuality and Gender." The Cultural Construction of Sexuality.
Inglaterra: Roudledge, 1995. Print.
Pat Caplan is an anthropologist, whom, with the help of several contributors, composed a book about the anthropological context of sexuality. The book contains articles about sexuality in relation to society and gender and the social constructs that is instilled in society. The articles in this book contain diversity in both subject matter and theoretical concerns all emerging from the common theme of sexuality in relation to gender, sex, class, kinship, state and symbolic systems. Specifically, I focused my research on the first three articles of the book, that in-depth take a look at sexuality in Western society. Featured in seminars, this book on sexuality focuses on both the empirical and theoretical viewpoints of sexuality.
This book is credible for the information regarding the topic of sexuality is written and researched by anthropologists---anthropologists whom of which, studied the context of sexuality from more than one viewpoint; empirical and theoretical. Featured in seminars at Goldsmiths’ College, this book discusses the construct of sexuality without focusing on the erotic nature of ‘sex’--- the anthropologists research is subjected to how and why sexuality in constructed the way it is. In discussing sexuality in relation to power, class, and gender, this book historically and unbiasedly gives readers insight into the construction of sexuality and it’s effects on present-day society. Researched and written by anthropologists from both the empirical and theoretical viewpoint---this book contains facts and theories about the construction of sexuality, moreover, making it credible.
Jackson, Stevi, and Sue Scott. Feminism and Sexuality: A Reader. New York: Columbia University Pres, 1996. Print.
This book focuses on popular feminists debates regarding women sexuality. I used this book to gather research on feminists perspectives of women’s sexuality in relation to the media. It is common thought that feminists are “against” the embrace of a women’s sexuality---specifically, being looked at as ‘sexy’; however this book offers different sides to the sexuality debate. This book relates the evolution of women’s sexuality to social constructs---both present day and historically. Although this book is premise for feminists debates, the feminists mentioned found common ground in the idea of women, ‘Politicking the Personal’ > a campaign tactic used for women to embrace their sexuality in patriarchal societies. Offering insight and research from the Women’s Liberation Movement, this book takes a look at the evolution of women’s sexuality---from exploitation to empowerment. ‘Politicking the Personal’ suggests that it is a woman’s right to politic and embrace her sexuality----not that of society, more specifically men.
This book is credible for its context on the evolution of women’s sexuality is historical. Taking a look into the different eras in which women’s sexuality was repressed and oppressed, research using this book allowed me to compare the evolution of women’s sexuality to the empowering factor of our sexuality to-date and in the media. This book looks at feminism and sexuality relatively---and in later sections comparatively. My research focused on the historical context of the evolution of women’s sexuality. This book was useful in allowing me to compare the politics of women’s sexuality with the exploiting nature of it, yielding ‘From Exploitation to Empowerment: Politicking the Personal.’
Knowles, Beyonce. “Year of 4”. 2011. Web. 28 February 2012. Documentary.
Year of 4 is a documentary following international superstar, Beyonce Knowles. During the recording of her fourth solo album, 4, MTV cameras follow Beyonce on her day-to-day ventures; focusing on the many aspects of her career that go unnoticed. From executive board meetings, to the sampling of her album, Beyonce offers an intimate perspective to viewers in allowing them to see candid moments and glimpses of her personal life. In this medium, Beyonce is using the media as a way to interconnect with her fans through the sincerity of her artistry. Year of 4 gives viewers an in-depth look at the woman behind and very much in control of her production. Late nights and early mornings are just a glimpse of what the documentary offers, while highlighting the stature and drive possessed by the Grammy award winning female performer. Candidly, this documentary gives a first-hand account on Beyonce, coming from the source herself.
Year of 4 aired on MTV Summer of 2011. The ethics and credibility of MTV in respect to Beyonce is without question, being that MTV is a media source that covers music and entertainment---objectively. The documentary gives objective coverage in allowing Beyonce to tell her own story. This enables me with the ability to gather research from the contended side, straight from Beyonce herself. In this, I do not have to worry about ethics, more specifically slander, for Beyonce is speaking for herself. In this, Beyonce is essentially able to use the media in the same way that they use her---as a source to reveal information at her own expense. This source is useful in contending media-exploitation, for it allows Beyonce to use her own voice and essentially provides an outlet in which she can communicate to viewers. This documentary is useful for it is being told from the perspective of Beyonce. It is relevant being that she is one of the biggest female international superstars in the world. With that, I am able to unbiasedly gather information and analyze the role of media exploitation in relation to her being a woman in entertainment.
Lady Gaga. “The Art of Fame”. 60 Minutes. By: Anderson Cooper. 2010. Web. 28 February 2012. Documentary.
60 Minutes correspondent, Anderson Cooper may have been in over his head before going in to interview renowned international superstar, Lady Gaga. Before the interview begins, commentary on Gaga seems to be that of an exploiting nature. Playing devil’s advocate, correspondent, Anderson Cooper familiarizes viewers with the popular opinion concerning and surrounding the superstar, in hopes that the conclusion of the interview will also be accompanied with empathy and a better understanding of Gaga and her artistry. 60 Minutes follows Lady Gaga around all over London and New York---giving viewers an inside look into her life. This interview is relevant for it goes beyond Gaga’s music and offers her shared insight on the mastering, ‘The Art of Fame’. This interview sets up my inquiry question in proposing the idea that it is possible for celebrities and public figures to exploit the media just as the media has exploited them.
60 Minutes is credible for its documentary covers public figures from all aspects of our culture. The nature of the interview is intimate and inviting, allowing viewers the opportunity in better understanding Lady Gaga. Gaga’s interview is filmed in many different places, a park in London, a bar/pub in its outskirts, her old apartment in NYC, etc. The setting of the interview is important in allowing Gaga to be of her own element and establishing a comfort level between the celebrity and the public. In this, Gaga is able to use the media and direct control over the aspects of her life she wishes to reveal. This is a primary account of media-exploitation from the contended side.
Lin, Chyong-Ling. “Comparing Society’s Awareness of Women: Media-Portrayed Idealized Images and Physical Attractiveness. Journal of Business Ethics; Nov., 2009, Vol. 90 Ebsco. Research-Article. Web. 26 February 2012.
This article focuses on the role of femininity in relation to advertising. The article reveals how advertising depictions create diverse personal needs and changes attitudes on self-image and personal preferences. The cumulative effect in advertising greatly impacts the society and culture at large. Experts on feminist movements argue that advertising depictions and expressions of female roles are concrete symbols of objectification and representative of male desire; women in turn appear to be more restricted under societal expectation than men. This source is an account of media-exploitation in the form of advertising.
This scholarly article is credible in that its research database is subjected to just that of women exploitation in the media. The article offers an interesting and statistical view of the effects advertising and the media can have over role-identity in our culture. This is relevant to The Art of Fame for it gives the contending side something to counter. Femininity depictions in advertising affects gender recognition and forces women to adjust their social behavior to satisfy society’s expectations. This is fuel behind media’s exploitation of women.
Lopez, Jennifer. Behind The Music. 2010. VH1. Web. 28 February 2012. Documentary.
Jennifer Lopez’s Behind The Music gives viewers a look at the superstar “behind the music”. This documentary is intimate and self-narrated by Jennifer Lopez. The documentary focuses on all aspects of Jennifer Lopez’s personal life and career; creating a balance equally distributing attention upon her life. In this, Jennifer Lopez’s speaks of her mother and how although she and her sisters were raised differently from her brothers, her mother always instilled the notion that as a woman she could do and be anything she wanted to be. Jennifer Lopez also talks about how she deals with fame and exactly how much control she has over the media and her life. Jennifer Lopez speaks candidly in the interview about her life and career.
Jennifer Lopez’s Behind The Music interview is credible in that it gives Jennifer Lopez a direct outlet to the public. It allows her leeway to focus on and speak on all aspects of her life. Lopez takes this opportunity to spin the control of media-exploitation. In the interview, Jennifer Lopez is able to give the truth behind stories that were generated through tabloids. This source is a primary account on Jennifer Lopez’s life.
***Photos courtesy of Tumblr****
No comments:
Post a Comment