Feminist Theory

Question 1

What’s symbolic annihilation and whose concept is it?

Answer 1

The way in which women’s achievements are trivialised and unreported by the media. What’s more valued is their sex appeal
- Tuchman et al

Question 2

What did Gallagher say about the portrayal of women by the media?

Answer 2

Women’s activities rarely seen as newsworthy when compared with the activities of men.

Question 3

What is tokenism? Give an example

Answer 3

Giving women token roles in order to appear fair. E.g a female presenter of the news, yet all those in power behind the scenes are male.

Question 4

What did wolf say about the representation of women?

Answer 4

The media- particularly the print media- present a ‘beauty ideal’, through which they transmit the ideological message of how women should treat their bodies and appearances.

Question 5

What did cumberbatch say about the ‘decorative role’

Answer 5

Being attractive fitted the description for two thirds of advertising positions for women, but only one quarter for men.

Question 6

What’s the male gaze and whose concept is it?

Answer 6

The camera films women in pornography to provide erotic pleasure for men. Women are sexualised for males pleasure
-Mulvey

Question 7

What did kilbourne say about the representation of women?

Answer 7

Women are presented as mannequins: tall, thin, perfect skin, tiny waists etc.
This is an unrealistic beauty ideology that women feel they have to achieve

Question 8

How do adverts support gender stereotypes?

Answer 8

By using women to advertise baby products and dinner/food, whereas men advertise sports and cars.