For this essay a Dolce Gabbana advert, Bell Hooks, Melissa Steyn and Mikki van Zyl readings will be used to explain heteronomativity and rape culture in modern society. The essay will be highlighting and explainign the meanings of characterstics assocaited with men and women.
According to Steyn and van Zyl (2009:3) heteronormativity is defined as relating to a society that promotes heterosexuality as or preferred sexual orientation. The definition is based on the idea that there are only two sexes, with predetermined gender roles. Heteronormativity builds binary opposites such as man and woman, homosexual and heterosexual (Steyn and van Zyl 2009:3).
Binary opposite is defined as a pair of related terms or ideas that are opposite to each other …show more content…
The colour black symbolises power, signifying men have power and authority. The colour navy blue symbolises stability, wisdom, confidence and intelligence which are the characteristics associated with men. The suits signify class and status (Figure 1). The man at the back of the image is standing next to a glass of whisky or vodka, implying wealth because wealthy men always drink the most expensive whisky or vodka. One of the men is placed on a high pedestal suggesting importance in society (Figure 1). They are surrounding the female model and looking down on her suggesting that the female is inferior. The men are well structured, well build portraying the ideal husband (Figure 1). According to Steyn and van Zyl (2009:4) in the modern western tradition, “hierarchical” social standards portrays the ideal man to be a heterosexual adult male, physically build, masculine, healthy and handsome and with a good social position, the perfect man to …show more content…
According to Steyn and van Zyl (2009:6) bodies have become a tool of cultural ideas, such as what type of body is accepted in society. The female figure or body shown to the audience is constructed to fit the description of the perfect female body, what should women look like, how they should behave or act around men, this is determined by males. Emphasis is made only on the physical appearance of the woman, such as her features, body and curves to create the ideal body that conforms to the male society and promote young, beautiful, sexually attractive women (Pokharel 2014:4). According to Steyn and van Zyl (2006:6) there is a high increase of young girls becoming anorexic because western culture promotes a skinny body as the perfect body to have and rejects traditional values that encourages young girls to have a fit and healthy
According to Steyn and van Zyl (2009:3) heteronormativity is defined as relating to a society that promotes heterosexuality as or preferred sexual orientation. The definition is based on the idea that there are only two sexes, with predetermined gender roles. Heteronormativity builds binary opposites such as man and woman, homosexual and heterosexual (Steyn and van Zyl 2009:3).
Binary opposite is defined as a pair of related terms or ideas that are opposite to each other …show more content…
The colour black symbolises power, signifying men have power and authority. The colour navy blue symbolises stability, wisdom, confidence and intelligence which are the characteristics associated with men. The suits signify class and status (Figure 1). The man at the back of the image is standing next to a glass of whisky or vodka, implying wealth because wealthy men always drink the most expensive whisky or vodka. One of the men is placed on a high pedestal suggesting importance in society (Figure 1). They are surrounding the female model and looking down on her suggesting that the female is inferior. The men are well structured, well build portraying the ideal husband (Figure 1). According to Steyn and van Zyl (2009:4) in the modern western tradition, “hierarchical” social standards portrays the ideal man to be a heterosexual adult male, physically build, masculine, healthy and handsome and with a good social position, the perfect man to …show more content…
According to Steyn and van Zyl (2009:6) bodies have become a tool of cultural ideas, such as what type of body is accepted in society. The female figure or body shown to the audience is constructed to fit the description of the perfect female body, what should women look like, how they should behave or act around men, this is determined by males. Emphasis is made only on the physical appearance of the woman, such as her features, body and curves to create the ideal body that conforms to the male society and promote young, beautiful, sexually attractive women (Pokharel 2014:4). According to Steyn and van Zyl (2006:6) there is a high increase of young girls becoming anorexic because western culture promotes a skinny body as the perfect body to have and rejects traditional values that encourages young girls to have a fit and healthy