Have you ever heard of the Laura Mulvey's theory 'Male Gaze'? This theory basically means you all see women in the media as men's perspective. In the film, for instance, how would you see a very beautiful woman wearing sexy short dress? You might see her as men's perspective without noticing even if you are woman. In her theory, women in media are considered sexual object and to-be-looked-at-ness.
I have some examples which you would probably find the male gaze in media. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wtQdoYrwJI&feature=BF&list=PL4283F6DF81C0BD5B&index=4
This is a video of Marilyn Monroe, The River of No Return. When she sings in front of a lot of men, they look at her like as a sexual object. I assume that audiences of this video probably watch it from men's perspective. This is what Laura Mulvery calls 'Male Gaze' in media.
Now, you would probably be getting familiar with this theory. Don't you wonder if there's 'female gaze'? It might be as not common as male gaze which we could often find in many films and TV. However, we could still find out in some places. Female gaze, for instance, I have very familar exmple people in the US. When you go to shop to the famous American Brand, Abercrombie and Fitch, you will find sexy guy models advertisement in the shop or even on the shop bags. http://image-search.yahoo.co.jp/detail?p=Abercrombie%26Fitch&rkf=1&ib=18&ktot=0&dtot=0 I think that this is female gaze which means men could be a sexual object for women, too.
Moreover, when I traveled Tokyo Japan, I saw some cool and Masculine clerks in the same shop. I thought this might be purpose to get women's attention which is kind of connected with female gaze.
Male or female gaze is always interesting because we unconsciously use those in our everyday life. When you use media such as TV, film and magazine, do you unconsciously use male gaze or female gaze?
I do think with women's increased comfort with their own sexualities and with the advancement of women in different media fields, women have developed their own version of a gaze that objectifies men. But I wonder how much of the female gaze is a retaliation against being forcefed the male gaze for so long.
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