Sunday, October 12, 2008

Week 3, Unit 2: Self & message



“Generalized other” refers to the view that others in a society generally hold. Race, gender, sexual orientation and socioeconomic class are frequent identifiers in America and elsewhere in the continent and in Europe, as well as other Westernized nations like Australia. The “generalized other” tends to value differences unequally, such as when a group views another group as being of less value or more value than themselves.

Read through a magazine and identify examples of the “generalized other’s” perspective. Focus on how media define desirable women and men. Analyze these messages and how you respond to them.

For example, in fitness magazines, being well-toned might be emphasized more for women, while being more muscular might be more emphasized for men. In business magazines for women, desirable characteristics of women might be engaging in active, business pursuits while women may be less represented in business magazines that are not explicitly targeted for one gender or another.

What is your analysis and response to the "generalized other’s” perspective that you noticed in the magazine you reviewed. Be sure to identify what magazine you used for this assignment. Also note what appeared to be the “generalized other’s” view of what traits an attractive woman and an attractive man have. Give some specific examples.

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

My article comes from the Us Weekly magazine, where it talks about Angelina Jolie and how she slimmed down from having twins. But it also talks a little bit about body image, and what society really thinks of body image. We all know that in hollywood. To make it you need to be a specific size to even be considered beautiful. Angelina Jolie said,"I'm all for curves on a woman and feeling sexy. I'm hoping that everybody will enjoy it as well." Angelina has always been a thin actress. She said so herself. How does she stay thin, through diet and exercise. something that alot of americans take for granted or don't even do on a regular bases. HAving the body image of a model can make you or break you. Look at the girls who struggle to stay stick thin, they end up anorexic or have some other eating disorder. I think it's horrible how society views women as needing to be a certain size to be beautiful. there are some actress's who have embraced who they are such as Queen Latifah. She's a heavier set woman and look at where she's gone. I think you can be beautiful no matter what size you are.

Houa Xiong said...

In my Newsweek magazine, I read an article about the women and leadership and what matters most in their life and work. We all know that back in the days; typical women jobs is to wait for the men to come back from work. They do all the house chores and take care of the kids and doesn't do much beside that. Today many women are sucessful in many fields. They have more privilge then they have back in the days. Many become entreperneurs, artist, scientist, wirters, competing in sport, and some even ran for office. Man are not the only one that strive in the society today; woman has risen their voice and let it be heard.

Megan Stackhouse said...

The article I chose was from Seventeen magazine. As a part of our western culture, our status has a lot to do with how people view us. The article was about a couple that decided to get married at an early age. They were dating in high school and when they were both 21 years old, they tied the knot. They were both criticized on their choice to wed but despite the negative feedback, they stayed together and are now serving their "happily ever after". This article explained that both men and women can be criticized the same way instead of being seen as a higher "source" than the other gender when sometimes, it is mostly women who are cornered for even the thought of marriage at 21. Normally it is expected of them to wed later in life. As an abnormality to their status, it fits in with the generalized other theory because it is a thought of others in society about something out of the norm. In my opinion i say, "Congrats to them both!"

Angela Owen said...

I am giving my comments based on October's "O" magazine. The very first thing I notice in O is that both women and men are highly regarded for their intelligence. Early on in the magazine they highlight 13 of the writers that contribute to the issue's theme, "Words to Love By". The magazine also does an excellent job of publishing both sides of an issue with many letters from readers. There is an article called "Big Girls Don't Cry" which is about women size 12 and up and showing how you don't have to be thin to be beautiful. Overall, I love the O magazine because it celebrates many different sides of beauty , not just on the outside and not the "norm".

Angi H said...

In reading through my Glamour magazine I tend to read the articles about women's struggles or victories. The article that caught my eye was about a woman that came from what society calls "the wrong side of the track", she tells her story of being raised dirt poor with parents that were both addicted to drugs. She made the decision at a young age to not be like her parents and worked odd jobs to help pay the bills and take care of her younger siblings. She is now in college and on her way to becoming a teacher. In my opinion, many people would have looked at her and her background and "generalized" her to be just another poor child stuck in a bad situation. It's very refreshing to see that sometimes with a little hard work and determination, that anyone can achieve their goals.

mark.summers said...

I am commenting on an article I read in a recent issue of Maxim. This article is titled The Plastic Surgeon of Las Vegas. From the title u can guess that the point of this article was to show the day to day life of a plastic surgeon in Las Vegas, however looking at it more closely I seen a different side of the story which I don’t believe the author was trying to point out………..
Dr. Frank Stile is the surgeon this article was following, and to my astonishment the surgeon says only 20 percent of his breast implants are entertainers; for example porn stars, strippers, and call girls, that leaves 80 percent to the average and professional fields. That right there proves to me in society people don’t feel secure with their own body, so much that they are going under the knife to be accepted or to make people think that they are sexy, so they themselves can feel sexy if that makes any sense. For females the majority of plastic surgery is breast implants, and for males calf implants are the most popular today……….Calf implants!!!! That struck me hard, personally I never thought men were worried about the size of their calves, I realized woman were worried about the size of their chest since I was in High School, but never have I heard that men were getting leg implants because they felt inadequate around other guys with larger calf muscles.
This shows to me that today’s society is more worried on their outer appearance then their inner appearance; personally I believe there should be a surgeon who takes care of people’s personality defects rather than appearance defects; which only exists because of a vain society!

Cassie S said...

I recently read an article from "Newsweek" magazine. The article was older and in regards to when Hillary Clinton was running for the Democratic Presidential nominee. Within the article, “Newsweek” mentioned that some voters were hesitant on voting for a female presidential nominee. It seems that even though females have gone through great lengths over the years to become individuals and seen as equal, there are still some barriers women still may face. Throughout reading the article it became clear that some voters may view Clinton as taking on some characteristics that we tend to generalize with males more so than females. Although, not all the specific traits were listed, emphasis was made on qualities of Clinton being strong-willed, assertive, determined and focused. She is basically summed up as “warrior-like” in the political field for taking on her opponents, no matter how much hash has been thrown her way. For many years, we have been taught that women take on different personality traits than men. Some characteristics we may generalize with women are that they are sensitive, caring, passive, and avoid conflict. Whether you are male, female, democrat or republican we should all give credit to Clinton for going against the stereotype, coming from without the shadows of her husband, and by becoming her own person.

Pascale D. said...

Im looking throught the latest issue of Cosmopolitan. The magazine is all about becoming a fin fearless woman. It gives a lot of beauty, fashion, fitness, and even tips on how to get ahead in life, your job, or your relationships with other people. It all pertains to making women more confident with themselves and others. They also provide a lot of news as to what is happening in the world or women! Regarding men in this magazine, Cosmo makes it all about the women and that any man would be lucky to have them. The magazine shows a lot of eye candy and guys are just seen as hot.However, my favorite article in this issue was one about the most dangerous places for women and what to do to steer-clear of harm. They are all places that you would feel realativly safe in such as your car, familiar streets, or even your own home. The article gives a few tips on what to do when you are in those places to help stay safe. All in all Cosmopolitaan is a women's magazine that tries to help women become more comfortable and confidant with themselves.

Natasha Haines said...

My article talks about how more young women are educating themselves about the election, and how they are talking out and supporting the canidate they think is better suited. Women are not just voting for who their family is voting for. More and more women are defending who they think is the best canidate, even when there are more people for the other canidate. The article also talks about people who are too young to vote but what they can do to gevi involved such educating yourself about the canidates so that when you can vote you know what you need to know and where to get reliable information. The article ened by saying that the most inportant issue facing young Amaerican women is our right to choose, and that everyone should have the right to choose who they want as the president and just in general being able to choose what their body looks like and the clothes they wear.

Derek C. said...

My article is from psychology today. The "generalized other" of women in America is dressed in skirts and heels, however this article talked about all the women out there that don't like doing all of the "girly" stuff. The article was about a women named Maryellen White who since she was little was a tomboy. I think a lot more women are becomeing less make up and clothes and more "tomboy" like. Women arn't as concerned about being a girl and having limits they are more concerned about being succesfull and just doing what they enjoy, if that means playing football with some guys instead of doing their nails or watching monday night football instead of going shopping.

Unknown said...

My article comes to you from OK Weekly magazine. The article is talking about how Brad loves Angie's curves. I think that we as people let others determine our self-image. I applaud Angie for making a conscious health decision for herself and her family. With six children and a busy movie career she has to be in the best shape possible. That's a personal choice that she made for herself not because she let society decide who she is and how she should look.

laurie said...

My article comes from Womans Day magazine. The article interviews Queen Latifah and her new movie. To me she shows people that no matter what size, gender or color you are that you can be sucessful and that even though society as a whole sees plus size women as not always worthy of positive attention as long as you are true to yourself than you can do anything that you set your mind to.

regina marsh said...

My source was Redbook Magazine, which featured an article on where wives belong. The article opinionated that its a womens nature to want to stay home and nurture the ambitions of her husband. It also states that her support will help boost his career, creating more security for her and her family.
It used to be viewed as strange when a wife was not a stay home mother. However, as you may have noticed times have changed. Many fathers and husbands are becoming stay at home dads. Daycares allow more time for the parents of a child to be at work.
The percentage of women-owned business has grown 42.3% in the last 10 years. Basically, more women are coming into the working field instead of staying home. This allows more income, and it can be a break for the mother to be away from her children. So,where should a wife belong? The responses to the magazine indicated that wife should be wherever makes her happy, also stating that how can a women support her husband and family is shes not happy? I agree that a women should do what ever makes her happy. I love my job, but it would be great if women get more respect in any job.

Meghan Hegge said...

In my runners magazine they have women and men equaly in the magazine but, when there are pictures of women they seem to be more in-powering for women. It was like a superhero or something of the sort. And they are always talking about the way that women have better bodys for muscle buliding beacuse once we get the muscle it is toned, and the muscle builds. But for the men they have to work twice as hard not to get the muscle but, to keep it! And that was the major points that they had in the magazine, nothing about the business place or anything like that!

Desiree said...

My magazine was Woman’s World. It is a magazine that as long as I can remember my mom has read it. So now I find myself buying it at the checkout. This magazine is targeted for women who are in their twenties on up. Although I have known and heard of man guys reading it. Far as what an attractive woman is, according to this magazine would be every woman in society. Whether thick, thin, black, white, famous or even the cashier at the grocery store. It has a way of making anyone feel good about the selves. In the magazine the men are generalized as a good father, good husband, good friend, hard working or even the stay at home dad. I believe it is saying that if anyone wants to be attractive, it’s not about the appearances. Although it does give weight loss advice. It helps you to acknowledge the good and beauty within ourselves. This magazine is the only one that I do end up buying because it makes me feel good about myself no matter what who I am or what I look like!

Alyssa Presley said...

"Beyond Botox" was the article I thought to be perfect for this post that I found in this months issue of Vogue magazine. This article is opening the public's eyes to new ways to use botox rather than just intravenous. The generalized other here would be the perception of the people that use this toxin by others around them. Sarah Brown, Vogue reporter, writes "skeptics perceived it as something for the frivolous, the reckless, the vain," when in fact Botox has also been used to treat non cosmetic issues such as neuromuscular disorders. I personally have no problem with the use of Botox. This is partially because I knew that it was used for more than just cosmetic issues even before reading this article. Also, before I was enrolled here at Globe, I was a pre-med student on my way to becoming a medical student with an emphasis on plastic/reconstructive surgery, so having prejudice against any use of Botox, cosmetic or not, was something I did not have a problem with. It's their choice and it's no one's place to say whether it is right or wrong.

Erica Hanson said...

From Joe Cornell:
I read the magazine Petersen’s 4wheel & off road .they market toward men and young mechanics, mainly people who would work on trucks or 4wheelers. They assume everyone knows about anti-sway bars, and leveling kits, or the main workings of a truck.

Erica Hanson said...

From Allie Asplund:
I read this article in my sister's volleyballusa magazine. It's about a girl and how she gets up everymorning and and uses the time to her advantage. she get's up around six to practice volleyball has her school day andthen practices again after school into the night. Most people say how kids are just lazy now and don't do anything but this girl definetly changes this. I don't think I've ever heard of anybody being this active without getting tired. It's nice to know that some people still work for the things they love.

Erica Hanson said...

From Stacey McConnell:
I read an article called "Wanting A Girl, Having A Boy" in a Parent Magazine. In this article a pregant woman talks about how she was looking forward to having a daughter that she could color and sing with, but instead had a boy. She was extremely devasted and thought that she wouldn't have a connection with her son who would want to play with guns and trucks. I believe gender really matters when it comes to being a parent, because I really wanted a boy, but got a girl. I sometimes still wish she was a boy.