Laura Mulvey's Theory

The Male Gaze Theory

• Laura Mulvey came up with this theory in 1975.
• She believes that people watching music videos are in the perspective of a heterosexual male
• She states that women are portrayed as objects rather than possessors
• Therefore the male emerges as the powerful figure
• The women are either represented as the virginal innocent character or a sexy whore and Laura calls this the virgin/whore discectomy
• Also relegates women to the status of objects

The Male Gaze theory focuses on three main elements:

1. Empathising female curves
2. Females secondary characteristics
3. Displaying women how men think they should look

Traditionally.. 

•  Men play active roles which drive the narrative whereas women play passive roles which are seen as erotic and slow down the narrative.
• Female roles are always seen as side lined and show less importance than the male characters
• Lead roles for women are scarce

Changes in Society

As women's roles are changing so does the media representation. Mulvey explained that we now live in a patriarchal society due to the influence in the media. She stated that men act as the dictators as they always have the final say when discussing rules and instructions as they have their own ideal visions on how women should behave and therefore dominate them. However, society is changing and therefore women in music videos are nowadays sometimes seen as...

• Career Driven
• Intelligent
• empowered

Facial Expressions

Women

• Invitational
• Romantic or Sexual
• Super-Smiler 

Majorie Ferguson (1980)

Men

• Carefree
• Practical
• Comic
• Seductive

Trevor Millum (1975)

Examples

Music Videos which include women in revealing clothing represents the male gaze theory as it demonstrates how males think they should should look as well as emphasising their secondary characteristics.

In Robin Thicke's 'Blurred Lines' this image demonstrates that men show authority and power towards women and are treated like objects. It also demonstrates women are there to do all the work which is a typical stereotype in society.

Criticism

Some people criticise Mulvey's theory as some women enjoy being looked at for example in beauty pageants where they exhibit themselves in order to win a crown for being the prettiest.