'Masculinity' is a concept that is made up of more rigid stereotypes than femininity. Representations of men across all media tend to focus on the following: Strength - physical and intellectual or financial. Power Sexual attractiveness (which may be based on the above) Physique Independence (of thought, action) In pairs find some examples for each from a variety of media forms. How do they conform to the stereotype?

It is important to recognise that stereotypes often reflect the beliefs & values (hegemonic values) of the society (and industry) that produced them. They reflect the zeitgeist of their production. So stereotypes are not fixed, but change over time. Can you identify any more?

Changing stereotypes

Laura Mulveys theory, The Gaze Is male, argues that we the audience are positioned in a male fixed spectator position,that is in reading the preferred meaning of the text we all occupy a masculine POV despite our actual gender.. Please apply this theory to texts.

Stereotypes of Men in Film The ‘Action Hero’ – lots of examples here from superheroes to Bruce Willis and ‘thinking women’s’ heroes like Harrison Ford and George Clooney. An interesting example is DareDevil - taken from a comic book character where the superhero is blind. How many female action heroes can you find? Bond films are interesting to study – how has Bond and the women around him changed? Is the gaze male in these films?

Macho man Categorized through his belief in himself and his relationship with women. Can be a comedy character. X-Men, The Matrix – men dealing with powerful female counterparts. Russell Crowe in Gladiator – macho hero with emotional side. Sometimes a lone hero in many genres from The western, the action. Who are we positioned to identify with in these narratives? Is the gaze male in these films?

The Loser Usually U.S Hollywood, mainstream & indie led market niche. Men in ‘mid life crisis’(40-60 somethings) who inspire empathy but also achieve an element of success, usually in a relationship, within the narrative of the films. E.g. Sideways, Lost in.Translation, American Beauty & Wild Hogs. Please Youtube extracts. Recent e.g.s are Hot-tub timemachine

The Geek/Nerd.

The ‘bad guy’ – Proppian Antagonists, villains and their roles. The rise of the anti-hero as protagonist, antagonists are more ambiguous than just good VS. Evil, morally ambiguous. Psychological motivations and explored more and an audience position to sympathise is also narratively possible. Is it audience empowerment vigilanteism? Why do you think this is?

Men as Authority- the voice of authority. Men tend to dominate the genres of: News & Current Affairs. Men are usually the figure of authority in films such as The Godfather Trilogy and TV with Alan Sugar & news anchors.

"Representation of the world, like the world itself, is the work of men; they describe it from their own point of view, which they confuse with the absolute truth." Simone de Beauvoir The media’s voice of authority is most often that of a middle- aged, professional, white male. These men dominate the opinion-shaping forums of talk radio, newspaper journalism, and television news and commentary, and male voices are those most commonly heard in television and radio commercials.

Men & Violence Find three of examples of texts for: film, music, sport, TV, news & print media

Homework – Watch the Tough Guise series on You Tube.

Task – Watch Dreamworlds 3, by Sut Jhally on You Tube & make notes. Follow up you research that supports or challenges his points. Watch Tough guise series on Ytube

Men in Games, Violence and extreme machismo. From a list called “Manliest men”

Task – Youtube Game Over: Gender, Race & Violence in Video Games – essential viewing!

There has been over 40 High school shootings in the U.S

The result of violence/power/themes repeated in this genre results in the objectification/commodification of females. Women become typical elements of the mise en scene connoting masculine success & representing women as subordinate to masculine power & wealth. YOUTUBE these videos - Are they challenging or reinforcing gender stereotypes?

Can you identify any hip hop/rap videos that challenge these gendered stereotypes?

Representation in the tabloids & News media – Adulterers & Superinjuctions