Thursday, 1 February 2018 Van Zoonen

Thursday, 1 February 2018

VAN ZOONEN

Learning Objective:
K: Van Zoonen's media theory.
U: how to apply Van Zoonen's media theory to The Guardian and The Daily Mail.
BAT: find examples of Van Zoonen's theory applied in newspapers.
CO: use media language in verbal and written communication.
LP: questioning, recall, challenge, extended writing.

Click here for examples of Van Zoonen's theory in the media.

What is the theory?

Van Zoonen believes the media portray images of stereotypical women and this behaviour reinforces societal views. The media does this because they believe it reflects dominant social values (what people believe in) and male producers are influenced by this. This is a patriarchy (a society ran by men for men) which dominates and oppresses women.

Liberal Feminism

It is essentially a reformist approach, which tends to see more equal gender relations being brought about by equal opportunities policies and affirmative action programs. It does not appear to question the power dimensions in society that maintain male superiority of status and female inferiority

Instead it concentrates on sex role stereotypes, prescriptions of sex-appropriate behaviours, appearance, interests, skills and self-perceptions (Van Zoonen, 1991: 121 ).

Radical Feminism

Patriarchy a social system in which all men are assumed to dominate and oppress all women, accounts for women’s position in society. 

Radical feminists have been in the forefront of exposing male abuse of women and politicising issues formerly considered as private, such as domestic abuse and more recently, sex tourism and trafficking in women.

 

Caring - Insensitive

Nurturing - Self-centered

Over the top - Rational 

Introverts - Work orientated

Sensitive - Emotionally strong

Lazy - Active

Weak - Rough

Soft - Powerful