SOSC 200Y Gender and Society Lecture 6: Images of Gender
L6: Who benefits from the sex-segregated world? Who benefits from the rigid gender-identity? Who benefits from the reinforcement of gender role stereotype? Marxist Feminist approach to the questions: Cultural images, Ideology and Power
L6: The operation of SIGNS Media sell products by using signs: Signs include: –Images, Gestures, Music, Sounds, Objects, Colour and the complex associations of all these.
L6: Other signs DenotationConnotation RoseFlowerRomance, Love, Passion CatAnimalMystery, Cool Holding hands GestureSweet, Warm, Safe Family, Reliable Man wears suits DressingProfessional, Intellectual, Sophisticated, Smart Anson ChanRetired officialDemocracy, Representation of HK people
L6: Advertising Sell to the biggest market Limited space and time use accustomed signs simplify the world reinforce and reproduce the signs and images
L6: Advertising Selling the feminine Cultural ImageProductsStory Wife, mother, housekeeper -Cleansing products -Healthy food -Health service -Products used in kitchen and bathroom Main caretaker Keep their home safe, tidy and clean Love their husband and children Basically happy, need professional help
L6: Advertising Selling the feminine Cultural ImageProductsStory Beautiful girls-Cosmetics -Personal hygiene -Fashions -Caring products -Keep fit products -Be good to myself -Afraid of aging -Afraid to be fat -Fashionable -Have self confidence -Always attractive
L6: Advertising Selling the feminine Cultural ImageProductsStory Sex objects used to sell products to men -Cars -Alcohol -Computers, PC games, IT -Services
L6: Suggested Readings: Andersen, Margaret L. (2003) Thinking About Women: Sociological Perspectives on Sex and Gender (6/e). Boston: Allyn & Bacon, ch.3