Masculinity

It’s not a surprise to most of us what David Gauntlett points out when one looks through a men’s magazines at first glance. Stereotypes are reinforced concerning what generations of us all have been taught men like and dislike. Gadgets and gizmos fill the pages often beside the scantily clad woman; sports and other outdoor activities are heavily featured. Something I hadn’t thought about however, are the way topics are talked about in male magazines. Jackson et al talks about what she and her team saw while examining these magazines for their book.

I believe she brings up some very good points to talk about such as how men are talked to in male magazines, often in a jokingly way or with an air of silliness. This supposedly protects men’s masculinity because of an apparent stereotype that says men don’t like being told what to do. Gauntlett disagrees with this rash statement saying that most men are pretty aware of the messages they are receiving through the jokes and irony. I would disagree. I don’t believe the average man is aware of the fact magazines are trying to “protect their masculinity.” I do believe that these magazines are quite successful
Through asking my boyfriend what he saw in different messages in male magazines, he seemed oblivious to what was taking place in the script. Oblivious of the underlying assumption, that is. I know this is just one persons opinion, but I really did need one smart man to prove my point. Of course there is the process of selective reading, but to assume that everyone reads the magazines in such a manner is false.

Jackson also talked about sexism in mens magazines and how it’s still very present. Gauntlett brings out the argument that men are present in womens magazines as well in very provocative poses, and so it’s thus not fare to pick out one magazine and say that sexism is present but forget it’s also present in the other. Gauntlett even begs the question subtly: For how long are we going to use the oppression excuse? I would say, forever. Women have a history of being oppressed, and though it is true that women and men both show provocative pictures of each other in magazines, it’s never “the same” kind of oppression because of the history involved with women.


In the picture below, we have a Maxim model and beside her a male model for Cosmo. Even their stance is different. He looks more assertive, confident and less submissive even though his shirt is off. How can we even begin to compare and say that womens magazines are on the same level as men when it comes to sexism. I disagree!