Gender Representations

MEN VS. WOMEN VS. OTHER

Gender is a social construction, it is taught to us by external influences and it's ingrained at such a young age that we often mistake is as 'nature' rather than 'nurture' - Butler

According to Gauntlett "performance of gender is foregrounded" - suggesting society dominates our gender due to societal normality. Gauntlett explores the role in digital media in self-identity and self-expression, fighting the stereotypes surrounded by gender. This theory is becoming more and more relevant in modern society and so bringing this theory into my magazine may feel comforting and empowering to readers who don't fit in to gender's stereotypes.

To establish this revolution in gender performance, I have planned and set out photo-shoots to contrast to the classic aesthetics of men - i.e masculine bodies, not wearing feminine colours such as pink, men aren't allowed to cry. This shoot will still appeal to travelling, enthusiastic young individuals, however will be inclusive to those who feel isolated within society without a mocking tone. For example, i planned a natural photo-shoot including male figures dressing femininely to break the stereotypical masculine shoots that cover classic magazine front covers such as Men's Health Magazine. 

Along with this theory, another theorist Judith Butler argues "that gender is a social construct" meaning people's sex shouldn't affect anyone's gender or ability to interchange different genders. Butler wrote a book called Gender Trouble which was written as a criticism of the current wave of feminism which saw men as women's oppressive enemy. Butler believed that this perspective makes male and female genders poplar opposites, which only reinforces the idea of patriarchal control between the two genders. This domination in gender is slowly changing, with feminism rising and the equality between the two genders are slowly becoming balanced (within some countries)  therefore i want to try and portray this within my photo shoots, as mentioned in the paragraph above. These theorists really link to today's modern society which is why i feel influenced by the two theory's.