1. Media, aka four Magazines: Female Genderization By The Media Female Gender, aka womanhood aka femininity
2. Genderization Or the process of becoming gendered Or more accurately, the process of how we come to view ourselves as gendered people That is, in the stereotypically normal cases: GI Joes, pants, and punching versus doll houses, skirts, and gossip Much of this happens when we are young, of course But we continue to genderize as we grow and change throughout our adult lives What then are the factors for genderization, female genderization in particular?
3. Factors: What I Think Happens Internal Processes (ie: Why we cannot come to a consciences) Inputs Impersonal Media Pressures Interpersonal Social Pressures Other Norm Inputs Consideration Internalization Rejection Acceptance Ignored Genderization Gender Identity Gender Expression External Forces
4. Factors: What Now? Internal Processes Impersonal Media Pressures Interpersonal Social Pressures Other Norm Inputs But these are too difficult to define, must less analyze! What to study? How to make sense of it all... External Forces But which ones? There are a great many of these – food for another time... Interpersonal relationships are themselves elusive and difficult to study Ah, but the media is all around us, an easy and capable subject Luckily, we already know of four Magazines that fit the description of Impersonal Media Pressures
5. So Lets Take A Look How do these magazines genderize? That is, what do they say about how women should be... women?
6. Cosmopolitan Sexual? Yes! But what sort of sex? Man-sex, that is, heterosexual intercourse! Not only that, but who is the dominate party here? Men, that's who! So, apparently, women are supposed to be very concerned about sex... with men... for men... Pink, really? And what is she wearing? Certainly not an outfit that demands respect...
7. Self Sexual? Yep, though fairly different from Cosmo. There is no mention of men, for example, though the implication is there. She is posed in a sexual and submissive manner, as well. But there is more... There seems to be a heavy focus on appearance, namely the 'right' appearance, and health. This isn't so cool if you are the type of woman who cannot have one of those 'acceptable' bodies. It seems that Self is much like Cosmo just with a little less overt sexuality and a little more talk about the proper sort of body.
8. Teen Vogue Marketed to a younger demographic, there is understandably less blatant sexuality, but there are still some implications. It appears that this is primarily a fashion magazine. Fashion may not be as extreme a prescription as body shape but it is a prescription as to the acceptable ways in which to express ones femininity nonetheless.
9. Psychologies Sexual? Sure, but it seems the power is in the woman's hands, and they are not specific as to who the sex is with. There may be a hint of suggestion in those eyes, and that is sex oriented make up but there is also a certain sense of power and confidence in her pose, an awareness suggestive of intelligence and capability. Mocking even? I like that...
