gender pop culture

What is the key difference between Content and Form in film?

Content refers to what the film is about (story, themes, characters), while Form refers to how the film tells the story (camera work, editing, lighting, sound).

Describe Hollywood's Invisible Style of filmmaking.

A filmmaking approach designed to feel 'natural' so audiences don't notice the techniques. Traits include a white, straight, able-bodied male protagonist, women in supporting roles, a linear storyline, and continuity editing.

What are the three criteria for a movie to pass the Bechdel Test?

1. It has two named women.
2. Who talk to each other.
3. About something other than a man.

How does the movie Barbie's journey compare to the traditional Hero's Journey?

Barbie's journey disrupts the masculine hero arc by exploring identity, meaning, patriarchy, and humanity, rather than defeating an enemy. It is collective and reflective, not violent or conquest-driven.

Explain Mulvey's Theory of the Male Gaze in film.

Women in film are valued for their 'to-be-looked-at-ness,' becoming objects of visual pleasure for male characters and male audiences. The gaze positions men as viewers and women as objects.

Differentiate between Objectification, Male Gaze, and Fragmentation.

• Objectification: Treating a person as a thing, valued only for appearance or parts.
• Male Gaze: Media positioned from a heterosexual male viewpoint.
• Fragmentation: Showing only parts of the body (legs, lips, breasts) instead of the whole person, which is dehumanizing.

What does Representation in media concern?

It's about how groups are portrayed in media, and also about who is behind the camera (writers, directors, producers, etc.).

What were common roles for women in Post-War Music?

Women were often singers but rarely songwriters, producers, or managers. They were controlled by the male-dominated industry and expected to be wholesome, submissive, and passive.

What happened to Girl Groups in the 1950s–60s?

The industry shifted towards male rock bands, and managers often controlled girl group images and careers, leading many to be pushed out or overshadowed.

What makes Music Videos Unique and what are common repeated messages?

They combine music with visual storytelling. Common highly repeated messages include hypersexualization of women, violence, partying/alcohol, luxury lifestyles, and dominant masculine roles.

What are the suggested effects of Violent Music Videos?

Research suggests short-term effects on mood, aggression, and anxiety, with long-term desensitization possible with repeated exposure.

What are the Three Levels of Analysis for Intertextual Analysis, using "Love The Way You Lie" as an example?

1. Text: lyrics, images, storyline.
2. Discourse: interviews, publicity, media discussion, artist histories.
3. Societal Pattern: cycle of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV).

Outline the Pattern of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV), also known as The Cycle.

1. Tension building.
2. Explosion/violence.
3. Honeymoon phase (apology, gifts, promises).
4. Calm.
   → The cycle then repeats.

What was the Discourse surrounding the song "Love The Way You Lie"?

It involved Eminem's history of violence, Rihanna's own abuse history (Chris Brown), and debates about whether the song glamorized IPV or raised awareness.

List the Messages conveyed through alcohol and class in the "Love The Way You Lie" music video.

• Alcohol: Shown as fuel for conflict, linked to volatility.
• Class: House burning suggests instability, poor conflict management, and working-class struggle.

How might Rihanna's portrayal in "Love The Way You Lie" be decoded through stereotypes?

As a Black woman, she risks being read through the Sapphire stereotype (angry, aggressive, loud, 'strong Black woman'), which can lead audiences to misinterpret her emotional expression or victimhood.

Define Hegemonic Masculinity.

The culturally dominant ideal of manhood: tough, unemotional, powerful, heterosexual, and in control. It marginalizes men who do not fit this mold.

What are common pressures faced by male and female athletes regarding gender?

• Male athletes: Pressure to be tough, aggressive, and unemotional.
• Female athletes: Often face sexualization and gender policing (being called masculine if too strong).

Why might female athletes engage in 'sexy photoshoots'?

To boost visibility/sponsorship, due to media pressures, and in the belief it will grow their fan base.

What is the difference between preferred dress for athletes vs. for viewers?

• For athletes: Athletic gear, uniforms, action shots.
• For viewers: Sexualized clothing, minimal clothing, glamorized poses.

How does the "Boy Code" in sports potentially harm boys?

It creates pressure to play through pain, forces emotion suppression, minimizes injuries, fosters a win-at-all-costs mentality, and ties identity to performance.

How can sports transform masculinity in a positive way?

By emphasizing teamwork, care, emotional support, coaches modeling empathy and communication, and focusing on skill over violence.

What is the role of Coaches & Parents in promoting healthy masculinity in sports?

Encouraging healthy masculinity, allowing emotional expression, prioritizing safety and well-being, and challenging sexist or homophobic behavior.

What are common assumptions and stereotypes regarding sports, gender, and homosexuality?

Male athletes are often assumed to be straight, while female athletes are frequently stereotyped as lesbians. This creates fear of coming out for LGBTQ athletes.

What do research findings suggest about professional athletes and domestic violence?

While the general crime rate for professional athletes is low, 48% of NFL arrests are for domestic violence.

List some precursors to sexual violence identified in research.

Belief in rape myths, hostility toward women, traditional male gender roles, peer support for violence, and alcohol misuse.

What did a college study find regarding D1 athletes and sexual assault?

D1 athletes made up 3% of the sample but were responsible for 19% of sexual assaults in the study.

According to the 2015 Pediatric JAMA Study, what percentage of males reported committing rape?

10.8% of males reported committing rape between ages 14 and college graduation.

Name some Different Kinds of Masculinity discussed in Tough Guise 2.

Hegemonic, Complicit, Marginalized, Subordinated, and Hybrid masculinities.

What is "The Guise" as described in Tough Guise 2?

It's a mask boys/men wear to appear tough, unemotional, and dominant, protecting them from vulnerability.

Which industries often blame each other for violence, according to Tough Guise 2?

The gun industry and the entertainment industry, with each claiming the other causes violence.

What is meant by "Backlash" in the context of Tough Guise 2?

When traditional male/femininity boundaries loosen, there are claims that men are becoming weak or that 'boys are in crisis.'

List some Violent Scripts commonly found in media.

The 'cool pose' (toughness, emotional shutdown, dominance), violence as a solution, vigilante justice, revenge, and sexual conquest.

In what ways do men suffer due to rigid masculinity ideals?

High suicide rates, covert depression, loneliness, and substance abuse.

Describe the "Masculinity Box" and consequences of breaking its rules.

Rules men must follow: be tough, don't cry, be heterosexual, be dominant, no weakness. Punishment for breaking the box includes bullying, slurs, exclusion, and violence.

What is the Bystander Effect?

People are less likely to help in an emergency when others are present.

What are the common Steps to Intervene (if safe) as a bystander?

1. Distract ('Hey, can you help me with something?').
2. Delegate (get a bartender, RA, bouncer).
3. Direct (confront safely).
4. Delay (check in after: 'Are you okay?').
5. Document (if appropriate).

What is an "Angel Shot" at a bar and its variations?

A code word indicating a woman needs help.

• With ice: escort to car.
• With lime: call police.

What is a key issue regarding consent among students?

Students often have very different understandings of what 'consent' means, leading to misunderstandings due to ambiguous cues.

Suggest ways to improve campus consent.

Clear 'affirmative consent' rules, education on reading nonverbal cues, alcohol education, normalizing verbal check-ins, workshops on communication, and bystander training.