representation of women - research

Representation of Women: Research

Traditional Representation


This christmas Asda advert represents women as traditional as it shows them as the housewife. this is shown through the mum in the advert doing most of the work e.g. cooking the roast dinner and cleaning the house.
   It also represents mums as being responsible for the joys and good things that christmas brings, implying that the father is the one who works and brings the money in whereas the wife is the person who puts the money to good use and is the one who turns the money into happiness for the family.

This magazine cover clearly represents women as traditional as even though they do not clearly state that this is a woman's magazine about running a household the colours of pink and purple connote femininity  the picture of the woman, Julianna Margulies, also connotes that this magazines is a woman's magazine as it is a woman who is informing other women on being a 'Good Wife'.
Having it in mind that this magazine is aimed at women instantly changes the meaning that the main cover lines convey.
Since it is now depicted as a woman's magazine the copy seems to show women as housewives who's main priority is her house and making it look not only nice, but BETTER than other woman's homes. This is shown with the cover line 'organised and elegant: a prettier home in 3 hours'. this shows that it is easy but also that the woman reading would instantly think that three hours is worth it in order to get a prettier and better home. This is extremely stereotypical as most magazines feature women as being in constant competition with other women over weight, youthfulness or even the look and feel of their homes.
the cover line '25 kitchen timesavers' seems to signify that women 'belong in the kitchen'. although it does not specifically state this, it is connoted by the fact that is is te largest of the main cover lines and so seems to be of most importance and priority. the fact that this is in a well known woman's magazine seems to show that these are tips that are only for women and that only they are privy to the secret.
The fact that the cover line talking about how to be healthier and how to look after your health 'Allergy Relief' is the last and smallest of the cover lines seems to connote that to a woman health falls to second most important after working on her home and cooking in the kitchen. this too is stereotypical as most women would regard their health as a bigger priority than the look and taste of one's home and food.


Post-traditional/Anti-traditional



This music video represents women as post-traditional or anti-traditional. this is shown clearly through the events of the story.
the first event is her decision to leave her cheating boyfriend. this already goes against the norm as women are normally represented to rely sole heartedly on men whereas in this video Katy is shown to cut all ties with him to go out on her own.
the second event is her deciding to join the marines. in doing so she cuts off her hair and dons jeans, a hoody and bandages about her chest. this contrasts greatly with the outfit she wore earlier; a peach dress and denim jacket. in this moment she sheds her old life to start anew in the marines. this goes against the norm as in most forms of the media women are represented as a




Film Trailers with Male Gaze







Archetype: Dumb Blonde

Penny - The Big Bang Theory

Cindy - Scary Movie Franchise

Cliché-avoiding stereotypes

Alice - Luther

Lara Croft - Tomb Raider

News Stories which negatively Stereotype Women