Blog Post 4: Rated "G" for Girls ...

Rachel is a ten-year-old girl for who I was shopping. In my shopping experiences online, I came across an abundance of video games for Rachel’s age group. Many of them were specifically aimed at girls.  A majority of the girls games were pink and involved typically female occupations. Video games aimed at young girls around the age of ten, like Rachel, attempt to promote gendered values with use of colors and activities presented in the game.

The games I found while shopping for Rachel were mostly packaged with a pink, purple, or light blue color.  These colors are typically considered feminine colors, and attempt to prove to the general public that these games are meant for girls.  The color of a product is a simple way for advertisers to target a certain gender because color is “a distinction by which gender stereotypes are reinforced” (Kirkham and Weller 269).  The color is adding to the fact that the actual occupations the games entail are emphasizing the typical feminine activities. 

The activities in the video games targeted to young girls are socially gendered occupations.  They involve mothering and cooking, typically feminine behaviors.  These games act as a reinforcement of gendered social norms. The mass media uses video games as a way to input these values that are considered normal into today’s youth. “Also, images having to do with gender strike at the core of individual identity; our understanding of ourselves as either male or female (socially defined within this society at this time) is central to our understanding of who we are” (Jhally 253).  When children are attempting to understand who they are, media takes advantage by advertising the gendered dichotomy through the use of activities, and colors involved in their marketing strategies. 

Works Cited

American Game Factory. “Bratz Ponyz.” Digital File. Amazon.com. 30 July 2007. We.b. 3 August 2010. JPEG file.
 

Dreamcater. “Dreamer Series: Pop Star.” Digital File.  Amazon.com. 24 March 2009. Web. 3 August 2010. JPEG file. 

 

Electronic Arts Inc. “Charm Girls Club: Pajama Party for Wii.” Digital File. Cool Games-Charm Girls Club. Charm Girls Club. 2009. Web. 3 August 2010. JPEG file.
 

“Imagine Babies.” Digital File. Women in Gaming. Word Press, 7 October 2008. Web. 3 August 2010. JPEG file.
 

“Imagine Happy Cooking.” Digital File. Women in Gaming. Word Press, 7 October 2008. Web. 3 August 2010. JPEG file.
 

Jhally, Sut. “Image-Based Culture: advertising and Popular Culture.” Gender, Race, and Class in 

 

Media: A Text-Reader. Ed. Gail Dines and Jean M. Humez. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, Inc., 2003. 249-257. Print.
 

Kirkham, Pat, and Alex Weller. “Cosmetics: A Clinique Case Study.” Gender, Race, and Class in 

 

Media: A Text-Reader. Ed. Gail Dines and Jean M. Humez. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, Inc., 2003. 268-273. Print.
 

Majesco. “Cooking Mam 2: Dinner With Friends.” Digital File. Amazon.com. 15 June 2010. Web. 3 August 2010. JPEG file.
 

Majesco. “The Daring Game for Girls.” Digital File.  Amazon.com. 9 March 2010. Web. 3 August 2010. JPEG file.
 

Nintendo. “Nintendo DS Lite Handlheld Gaming System – Metallic Rose.” Digital File. Toysrus. 2010. Web. 3 August 2010. JPEG file.
 

Sakar. “3-In-1 Girl Gear Sports Kit for Nintendo Wii.” Digital File. Amazon.com. 25 September 2008. Web. 3 August 2010. JPEG file.
 

THQ. “Bratz the Movie.” Digital File. Amazon.com. 17 October 2007. Web. 3 August 2010. JPEG file.
 

UBI Soft. “Imagine: Fashion Designer: New York for Nintendo DS.” Digital File. Toysrus.com. Web. 3 August 2010. JPEG File.
 

UBI Soft. “Imagine: Ice Champions.” Digital File. Amazon.com. 3 March 2009. Web. 3 August 2010. JPEG File.
 

UbiSoft. “Imagine Fashion Designer 4.” Digital File. Toysrus, Web. 3 August 2010. JPEG file.
 

UbiSoft. “Imagine Fashion Designer.” Digital File. Toysrus, Web. 3 August 2010. JPEG file.
 

Viva Media. “I Love Games – 16 Great Games for Girls.” Digital File. Amazon.com. 3 March 2010. Web. 3 August 2010. JPEG file.

Miley's Been Tamed: Blog Post 3

Miley Cyrus - Can't Be Tamed

This student-created production is covered under the Fair Use codes US copyright law. Specifically, Section 107 of the current Copyright Act and Section 504(c)(2) cover the educational-basis of this video production. The production is intended to be a transformative remake, aiding in both student and public media literacy.  The use of copyrighted material is in the service of constructing a differing understanding than the original work, which according to Section 110 (1) (2), is to be treated as a new cultural production. This student-production is in no way limited to the protections provided by the Fair Use codes stated above due to the many other sections of the current US Copyright Act, which also include the principles of Fair Use.

Please refer to Fair Use principles when re-posting, quoting, and/or excerpting the video-production posted here.

Blog Post 2. Option A. Claifornia Gurls by Katy Perry

This student-created production is covered under the Fair Use codes US copyright law.Specifically, Section 107 of the current Copyright Act and Section 504(c)(2) cover the educational-basis of this video production. The production is intended to be a transformative remake, aiding in both student and public media literacy.  The use of copyrighted material is in the service of constructing a differing understanding than the original work, which according to Section 110 (1) (2), is to be treated as a new cultural production. This student-production is in no way limited to the protections provided by the Fair Use codes stated above due to the many other sections of the current US Copyright Act, which also include the principles of Fair Use. 

Please refer to Fair Use principles when re-posting, quoting, and/or excerpting the video-production posted here.

Constructs of Masculinity and Femininity in an Episode of Glee

In Glee, a television show about a group of misfit high school kids brought together by a newfound glee club, masculinity and femininity are displayed in every character.  Kurt Hummel portrays an excellent blend of these two gender roles. The episode “Preggers” shows how he deals with the pressures of conventional societal beliefs and fitting into high school. It portrays the way he feels the need to conceal the person he really is.  Kurt attempts to exude typically masculine and heteronormative traits to hide his true non-normative identity.

Kurt displays masculine traits in order to prove to his father that he is truly a male according to the patriarchal system. When Mr. Hummel walks in on Kurt recreating a Beyonce video with Brittany and Tina, two other members of the Glee club, the three glee kids quickly come up with an excuse for the way Kurt is dressed as to encourage the masculine idea already in his father’s head. They claim he is in an exercise outfit used by the football team that he has recently joined.  The football team represents the competitiveness and aggression that Mr. Hummel expects from his son.  Kurt takes this to the next level when he actually does try out for the football team to continue to please his father’s patriarchal view. 

Patriarchy is the male-dominated societal structure that is present in today’s society.  In patriarchy, things that are defined as masculine, like toughness, are seen as favorable, and feminine traits, like emotion, are seen to be unfavorable.  Since patriarchy has “manhood and masculinity most closely associated with being human” (Johnson 94), Kurt feels as though he must comply with society’s ideas. He is attempting to conform to that belief so he can be what is expected.  

 Additionally, when asked about a girlfriend, Kurt claims that Tina is his significant other to appease the heteronormative assumption his father has made.  He hides his true identity in “the closet” to prevent any disappointment or embarrassment it may bring.  Because society feels that anything other than a heterosexual relationship is inappropriate, Kurt feels the need to let certain members of his community believe he is conforming to the heteronormative society.

Heteronormative is the acceptance that a heterosexual relationship and sexual identity is the standard in society.  Newman argues that, “social institutions and social policies reinforce the belief” (60) that heterosexual is normal.  Because they are considered normal, “heterosexuals are socially privileged” (Newman 61). Kurt seems to act with this ideology, and against what he really feels is his identity to avoid ridicule. 

At the end of the episode, Kurt finally tells his father that he is really gay.  His father admits he had known, but also confesses that it is going to be an adjustment.  The way Mr. Hummel refers to Kurt’s sexual identity as an adjustment suggests that it is not a normal situation for which a parent would cope.  This needed modification agrees with the ideology of a heteronormative society. The way Mr. Hummel addresses his reaction is accepting but unaccustomed to the idea because it would not be an expected situation.  Johnson argues that in a heteronormative society, “patriarchal heterosexuality is ‘natural’ and same-sex attraction is not” (95).  Mr. Hummel’s reaction reinforces this idea. 

In order to continue the masculine charade, Kurt does try out, and make the football team.  During his time on the team, the other players continually use gay slurs with each other.  Although none of them seem to be specifically pointed at Kurt, his blatant disappointment and discomfort is evident in his face.  He does not stand up for the sexual orientation he secretly identifies with because he does not want to be ridiculed. He knows that his fellow players do not consider being gay as masculine.

The slurs used in this episode are primarily focused at characters that do not identify with the group being blemished.  According to Newman, this makes “slurs become more pejorative” (76).  But because they become offensive to those not involved in the group, does not mean they stop being offensive to the ones that are identified with that group.  Kurt was still offended even though the slur was not meant to do so.  He also could not show his offense because that would be letting his peers know that he is gay.  Newman argues that staying in the closet is a way to “avoid interpersonal rejection and social discrimination” (61).  This is displayed in Kurt’s secretive identity, and explains a reason to keep his uniqueness to himself. 

Although he aims to hide his true identity behind masculine traits, Kurt has many characteristics that would be considered feminine.  He loves singing and dancing, which are typically feminine occupations.  He attempts to bring the football team together by teaching them the same Beyonce dance as the beginning of the episode. But because dancing is not considered masculine, the rest of the team makes it difficult for him to complete the task. He has taken up occupations and hobbies that would not typically be considered masculine.  Mary F. Rogers explains activities “widely considered inappropriate for people of a given gender” (96) are called non-normative occupations.  As showed by the resistance of the football team, dancing would be considered a non-normative occupation.  

Additionally, Kurt continually grooms himself and is extremely interested in fashion and being beautiful.  He is always seen in different outfits and looking at himself in the mirror. Kurt is portrayed to be a very feminine man attempting to be masculine. He is shown time after time grooming himself with different skin care products, hairstyles, and make-up. According to the patriarchal view of society, beauty is a feminine trait.

Another feminine trait that Kurt entails is emotions.  He wears his emotions on his sleeves, which is also considered to be a feminine trait.  When his father comes to his first football game, Kurt shows his utter excitement by jumping up and down and waving. A masculine person would be tough, protective, and aggressive.  However, Kurt seems to truly portray the opposite while he is not fully committed to his charade.

Kurt Hummel attempts to hide his many feminine traits and non-normative sexuality behind society’s view of typical masculinity. He has a sense of heteronormativity and the patriarchal view of masculinity.  The pressure of that society and his father pushes this cover.   Kurt displays an excellent blend of the masculine and feminine traits displayed in Glee.


Works Cited

Johnson, Allan G. “Patriarchy, the System: An It, Not a He, a Them, or an Us.” The Gender Knot: Unraveling Our Patriarchal Legacy. Temple UP, 1997. 91-8. Print.

Newman, David M. “Manufacturing Difference: The Social Construction of Race, Class, Gender, and Sexuality.” Identities and Inequalities: Exploring the Intersections of Race, Class, Gender, and Sexuality. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill, 2007. 30-70. Print.

Newman, David M. “Portraying Difference: Race, Class, Gender and Sexuality in Language and the Media.” Identities and Inequalities: Exploring the Intersections of Race, Class, Gender, and Sexuality. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill, 2007. 71-105. Print.

“Preggers.” Glee. Fox. WNYW, New York. 23 Sept. 2009. Television.

Roger, Mary F. “Hetero Barbie?” Gender, Race, and Class in Media. Ed. Gail Dines and Jean M. Humez. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, Inc., 2003. 94 – 7. Print.

Blog Post: Link Hunt

Presintation of Gender in Toy Story 3
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Lady Gaga & Feminism - Why is it so hard to believe?
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Taylor Swift, Neo-Feminist Keyhole To The Future
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Law & Order: SVU -- The Most Feminist Show on TV
December 4, 2008
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Sex, Virtue and Restraining Order in Twilight's Eclipse
July 1, 2010
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Link to Blogging in College: the main Gender & Pop Culture blog

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