Angela Mcrobbie Theory

Angela McRobbie

She believes that the representation of gender roles in the media is how we look at each gender differently, each gender has specific traits because we are told by the media that all men or all women are a certain way. Videos pursue this through showing artists and actors as being obliged to follow stereotypes of their gender.

• Was born in 1951 in the UK
• She did most of her research in the magazine industry and the content of magazines
• Her theory mainly looks at the way in which gender roles are portrayed in different media platforms
• She discusses that the media influences us in what we should and should not do
• The media 'Socializes' us into our gender roles.

Men are portrayed as...

• Masculine 
• Aggressive
• Powerful

The media refers to males in an extreme stereotypical manner. An example of this is Robin Thicke's 'Blurred Lines' where the main artist is portrayed as dominant and powerful as he is always shown in the centre of the other actors. His costume is also very overpowering as it is a smart but casual suit signifying  his authoritative and powerful figure throughout.  The way the women act around him also represent his dominance inferring that the females in his video are obeying his ideal visions of how they should treat him. 

Women portrayed as...

• Weak
• Subservient to men
• Traditional roles played include mothers, nurses and careers in general

Again portraying females in an extreme stereotypical way. This is also shown in Robin Thicke's song blurred lines. The still shot of the women bending down with the car rolling down her back demonstrates they are inferior as they are only used to look attractive and pleasing to the eye. In this video the womens Mis-en-scene is very sexual and reveals a lot of their body. The colour pink is also very consistent in the background which may connote the stereotype that womens typical favourite colour. This can also be portrayed as femenism as the video is targeted at women who struggle for equal rights in society. 

Challenges...

McRobbie does accept the fact that in some media platforms women are demonstrated as sexual roles, she explains this is a good thing. However, other feminists argue that the suggestion is demeaning to women. Angela, on the other hand, thinks that some roles have the chance to empower women and demonstrate them as sexually powerful and authoritative. 

Supports

Taylor Swift supports McRobbies theory of how women are perceived in music videos. The popular song 'Love Story' is a clear representation of a typical stereotypical teenage girl. She is showing a narrative story of a girl who likes a boy however has no courage to tell him. Most of Taylor Swift's ,music fits into this theory as it is a clear illustration of her personality.

Against

An artist which does not support the theory is Katy Perry as she represents herself as a dominant and powerful individual. For example her music video 'Roar' demonstrates her being scared at the beginning however, by the end she is superior to her fellow 'citizens'. This does not support the theory and therefore goes against Angela McRobbie.