What/Which women are represented and how?
Women are underrepresented in the 60s Observer, due to patriarchal, social and cultural standards and contexts dictating their roles in media, politics, households, and more, clearly shown by the lack of authoritative or even representative female roles in the cover, besides those associated with royalty, social standards, or advertisements.
Examples of this may include the two advertisements for lingerie, which appear to be advertised towards women besides the lack of representation besides this. The objectification of women through these advertisements highlighted through the loss of other representatives shows that women were seen as an extension of their male counterparts - brothers, husbands, fathers, are represented by the men in political and social power in the media, but women are only second to them, shown by their domesticated and very objective audience appeal and representation through sensual products, that also benefit men visually. This presents the women in the cover as objects to be admired and advertised, not respected by political or social standards.
However, Barbara Castle makes a small appearance, as the only female politician on all three covers, arguing for 'less unequal pay'. While she is in an authoritative position, the fact that she is unable to argue for fully equal pay, and the demeaning of her position as a politician by such, also reflects cultural contexts at the time being that women were lacking in power and importance compared to men.
In addition, the representation of the marriage of a 'mixed couple' also shows cultural contexts, and that the event was probably so rare or unexpected it made a headline. In addition, discriminatory language was used, against a Mexican protest unselfconsciously by the newspaper.
No comments:
Post a Comment