The subsequent essay aims to discern the fundamental components of feminist media studies. Additionally, it intends to demonstrate how two particular critical essays respect and adhere to this specific form of media-based criticism. In order to do so, first, the essay will introduce the general characteristics of feminist media studies. Second, the two articles will be compared to distinguish the similarities and diverging points between the two pieces of criticism. Third, the essay will be concluded by regrouping the two previous points in the interest of discerning their relevance in the field of feminist media criticism.
To begin with, feminist media studies is a type of criticism that examine and research how patriarchy has enforced the …show more content…
Interestingly enough, the authors never actually used the term feminism in their arguments, much less define it. There is only one instance in which Walkerdine and Thornham wrote the word feminist and it was to briefly designate the name of the feminist theory (Thornham 137).
Moreover, both authors frequently mention the term gender to symbolise ‘’ the social and cultural adoption of behaviours, attitudes, and perceptions of what is or is not appropriate for persons of a particular sex’’ (Sawchuk 66). However, gender must not be confounded with sex. Indeed, sex refers to someone’s biological status which is indicated by genitalia, chromosomes, etc. (Sawchuk 66). Moreover, an interesting fact to note is that, while the authors repeatedly make use of the word gender throughout their articles, they never employ the word …show more content…
On one hand, masculinity is characterized by a propensity for performance and using an active voice (Walkerdine 520-1). On the other hand, femininity is often distinguished by heightened sensibility, a caring and concerned nature as well as a preference for cooperation (Walkerdine 520). Valerie Walkerdine notes two types of femininity: contemporary and traditional, or traditional, femininity (522). However, Helen Thornham doesn’t make that distinction. Yet, she states that society’s views of masculinity and femininity can shift (140). In short, traditional femininity is femininity as described previously, whereas contemporary femininity tends to incorporate traditional masculine attributes to classic femininity (Walkerdine
To begin with, feminist media studies is a type of criticism that examine and research how patriarchy has enforced the …show more content…
Interestingly enough, the authors never actually used the term feminism in their arguments, much less define it. There is only one instance in which Walkerdine and Thornham wrote the word feminist and it was to briefly designate the name of the feminist theory (Thornham 137).
Moreover, both authors frequently mention the term gender to symbolise ‘’ the social and cultural adoption of behaviours, attitudes, and perceptions of what is or is not appropriate for persons of a particular sex’’ (Sawchuk 66). However, gender must not be confounded with sex. Indeed, sex refers to someone’s biological status which is indicated by genitalia, chromosomes, etc. (Sawchuk 66). Moreover, an interesting fact to note is that, while the authors repeatedly make use of the word gender throughout their articles, they never employ the word …show more content…
On one hand, masculinity is characterized by a propensity for performance and using an active voice (Walkerdine 520-1). On the other hand, femininity is often distinguished by heightened sensibility, a caring and concerned nature as well as a preference for cooperation (Walkerdine 520). Valerie Walkerdine notes two types of femininity: contemporary and traditional, or traditional, femininity (522). However, Helen Thornham doesn’t make that distinction. Yet, she states that society’s views of masculinity and femininity can shift (140). In short, traditional femininity is femininity as described previously, whereas contemporary femininity tends to incorporate traditional masculine attributes to classic femininity (Walkerdine