Media Studies - TV
Van Zoonen

EDUQUAS

Read the paragraphs from Van Zoonen’s essay “Feminist Perspectives on the Media”.
Pages 33 -37, 'Feminist Perspectives on the Media' in Mass Media and Society (Curran and Gurevitch) Arnold (1996)


What does she suggest are the key differences between a

  • Liberal feminist perspective?
  • Radical feminist perspective?
  • Socialist feminist perspective?

Liberal

  • Fighting for power through the equal, legal rights of women in society
  • Media perpetuate sex role stereotypes because they reflect dominant social values
  • Male media producers are influenced by this
  • Men are not the enemy-can live alongside each other as equals
  • Women can be superwoman- home, family, body and work

Radical

  • Men control a patriarchal society through dominance and physical strength
  • Men have no place in feminist utopia
  • Believe in women dominating society
  • Reject typical gender roles
  • Media production is owned by men, operates to the benefit of the male and should be by women, for women

Socialist

  • Concerns with class and economics – ‘power is located in socio-economic structures’
  • Women’s ‘production of labour’ and the ‘economic value of domestic labour’ are not recognised
  • As this work is lower/unpaid, it is essential to maintain a capitalist society
  • Women as consumers in this society
  • Linked often to class, age and ethnicity
  • Advertising reinforces sexual objectification of women