Identities and the Media: Feminism

Media Magazine reading

1) Read Playing With The Past: Post-feminism and the Media (MM40, page 64 - our Media Magazine archive is here).
2) What are the two texts the article focuses on?
Pan Am - first broadcast on ABC in 2011, is a period drama set in the early Sixties focusing on the lives of pilots and stewardesses working for the Pan American World Airline.
Beyoncé 

3) What examples are provided from the two texts of the 'male gaze' (Mulvey)?
In Beyoncé's song Independent Woman (when part of female group Destiny's Child) declaring herself as an independent woman, whilst objectifying herself for the camera and the ‘male gaze.’ The lyrics "I got beauty, I got class, I got style an I got ass....I even put money in the bank account. Don’t have to ask no one to help me out." Whilst singing these lyrics Beyoncé reinforces her ‘credentials’ by openly rubbing her chest and body, whilst playfully looking down the camera, clearly submitting herself to sexual objectification and openly acknowledging the ‘male gaze’ 

4) Do texts such as these show there is no longer a need for feminism or are they simply sexism in a different form?
Nevertheless, throughout the series of Pan Am the women use their appearance to empower themselves, frequently donning their uniforms to gain access to places they want to be, using their looks to their own advantage, and allowing the audience to find pleasure to a certain extent. There is no longer a need for feminism as women in particular have found other ways to empower themselves, although using appearance as empowerment isn't morally the right thing that is just the harsh reality. 

5) Choose three words/phrases from the glossary of the article and write their definitions on your blog.
Post-feminism – An ideology in culture and society that society is somehow past needing feminism and that the attitudes and arguments of feminism are no longer needed. 
Third wave feminism – Was a movement that redefined and encouraged women to be dominant and sexually assertive. 
Patriarchy – An ideology that places men in a dominant position over women. 

No More Page 3

1) Research the No More Page 3 campaign. Who started it and why?
Founded by Lucy-Anne Holmes and the mission statement is "to persuade the editor of The Sun to voluntarily remove topless models from Page 3 of its daily newspaper."

2) What are the six reasons the campaign gives for why Page 3 has to go?
The Guardian describes Page 3 overall as "demeaning, tasteless and unnecessary" for women to display their bodies. 

3) Read this debate in the Guardian regarding whether the campaign should be dropped. What are Barbara Ellen and Susan Boniface's contrasting opinions in the debate?
Baraba Ellen debates: It’s important to stay aware of hypocrisy, but the snobbery/autonomy arguments don’t wash. Page 3 is the Old Order – reeking of male dominance, of women as sexualised and neutralised objects (Stripping celebrities at least bring a sense of their public personalities). 
"This isn’t about puritanism, snobbery, or censorship, it’s about women being reduced to smutty sideshow turns within the context of family newspapers."
Susie states: In that scenario women’s free speech is in a) baring their boobs if they want and b) complaining about it if they choose. How can we criticise Islamic State for insisting all women cover up, and the next, er, insist women cover up?

4) How can the No More Page 3 campaign be linked to the idea of post-feminism?
If the campaign is successful then it proves that women are just more than objects in the media. It demonstrates that women can be effective and dominant for what they believe in. 
5) What are your OWN views on the No More Page 3 campaign. Do you agree with the campaign's aims? Should the campaign continue?
I believe the campaign should continue as women in the media are always seen as objects. It's time for women to be seen from a more professional view rather than sexually. This will motivate and aspire young girls to have good role models then if there is no more page 3.
6) Do you agree that we are in a post-feminist state or is there still a need for feminism?
I believe that there is a need for feminism, with many different factors. The role of a woman in society is to look after her children. However, for example in court a woman cannot choose to take full ownership of her child as there are laws to help the father. In some aspects feminism is still needed but woman already have as many major rights such as being able to vote which shows that a post-feminist state will not be the worst thing ever.