000 02772nam a22002297a 4500
999 _c5706
_d5706
005 20250625151443.0
008 180108s2017 -nz||||| |||| 00| 0 eng d
040 _aAFVC
100 _aBeaumont, Sophie
_97260
245 _aLook at her :
_banalysing the depiction of women on the covers of women's magazines from 1975-2015
_cSophie Beaumont
246 _aA thesis submitted to Victoria University of Wellington in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts, in Criminology
260 _c2017
300 _aelectronic document (122 pages) ; PDF file
500 _aMA thesis, Victoria University of Wellington
520 _aWomen’s magazines have a role in constructing and defining what it means to be a woman. Deciphering messages in mediums specifically designed for women is therefore key to understanding what women may be learning about femininity. This thesis examines the depiction of women in women’s magazines, focussing on sexualisation and the portrayal of traditional gender roles. Traditional gender stereotypes and the sexual objectification of women are key mechanisms contributing to the subordinate position of women in society. This thesis argues that alongside their contributions to gender inequality, such depictions can also reinforce ideas that sustain rape culture with the latter referring to a climate where sexual violence is normalised and trivialised. By conducting a longitudinal content analysis (1975 –2015) of cover pages from New Zealand women’s magazines, this thesis investigates whether there are any changes in the level of sexualisation and depiction of traditional gender roles across prominent women’s magazines. The findings of this thesis indicate that overall there is a low level of sexualisation present in cover page images from women’s magazines, and significant differences exist both between publications as well as across the four decades of analysis. The depiction of traditional gender roles is consistent across the time period studied, and when such gender stereotypes are present they remove agency from women reducing them to ‘decorative’ objects within images. Messages suggesting women should be sexualised and decorative may reinforce ideas central to gender inequality, rape culture, and sexual violence against women. The implications of this thesis suggest that women’s magazines may not be a safe space for readers to celebrate their gender – rather, such publications may influence ideas that facilitate gender inequality. (Author's abstract). Record #5706
650 _aATTITUDES
_970
650 _aPRINT MEDIA
_94399
650 _aRAPE CULTURE
_94518
651 4 _aNEW ZEALAND
_92588
856 _uhttp://hdl.handle.net/10063/6717
942 _2ddc
_cTHESIS