Mini assignment #4

Ruben Meza

RWS 510

Dr. C. Werry

March 17th, 2020

Mini-Assignment #4

During class, the class was shown the short version documentary “Codes of Gender: Identity and Performance in Pop Culture” which discusses how women and men alike are categorized and seen differently through gender based through brand advertisements and/or other photos. Where for example when men are on advertisements and whatnot, they seem more masculine, confident, firm based on its posed, the way they’re holding certain objects (if applicable) and but over shows then its dominance and power. Whereas, on the contrary with women, it shows that women are merely submissive, powerless and whatnot, that its posture based on its body, face, and/or hands when they’re grabbing an object shows they’re not confident to the environment, to others and itself. Whereas it shows its vulnerability and as well that shows that they are dire and desire dependency from someone else to give them safety, and confidence. However, based on its postures, what they’re wearing and whatnot, are sexualized, misinterpreted that women are far powerless and what men are. Yet, many of these products that brands are offering through such advertisements, are targeting specific audiences, either male or female; whether it’s a new line of perfume/cologne, clothes, films and whatnot.

In Alahna Ly Instagram’s account shows what in today’s society people want everyone to see towards women; where they oversexualize the body of a woman through the use of explicit clothing that she has on.  Which also means that she’s posing for a purpose, whether for attraction and whatnot, however, may attract a certain group of audience. Yet shows vulnerability, dependency and that this is the route women should go through, being submissive and showing her body. Yet it shows to the audience that’s what she can provide to the audience by showing her body in a highly sexual way, yet her pose can such as looking over her shoulder shows her vulnerability. 

Yet, in the contrast of the GQ’s 20 Hottest Male Photos, shows the posing of men quite different to Alahna Ly Instagram photos. Which shows firm confidence of their own body, yet the posture of its body is always showing off its body (if applicable such as muscles and whatnot), and yet most of its photos cover most of its body. One interesting contrast is that its photos shows that the most of its photos that are taken are always in an outdoorsy setting, and posing what’s appropriate based on the setting and as well looking towards the camera and on the side (i.e. the model with the dog). Whereas Alahna Ly photos are always indoors either in a room, bedroom, fitting room and whatnot and looking over her shoulder is a common pose that she gives out. 

The analysis does prove that men and women’s gender are expressed extremely differently and based on its advertisements and whatnot attracts different groups of audience, yet, it keeps the stigma the same way we view towards men and women in a negative way and whatnot. And that’s something that may need to change where society needs to see both genders in a much positive way where everyone can be a role model to others in some sense.