FEMINIST THEORIES: BELL HOOKS AND LIESBET
VAN ZOONEN
Bell hooks:
Believes that social classifications (race, gender, sexual identity and class) are
interconnected, and that ignoring this overlap leads to oppression towards women,
changing their experience of living as a woman.
Feminism does not fight for equality of women and men (of the same class) but is a
movement that fights to end sexist oppression and exploitation.
There are many frameworks that attempt to explain prejudice and privilege in
society that is often disguised by being presented as biological facts rather than
stereotypes. One of these is linked to misogyny and how women can be seen in
history as inferior to men.
Bell hooks emphasised how the intersectionality of social classifications calling it
the “white supremacist capitalist patriarchy”. She argued that in order to have a
better understanding of identity, you have to analyse all the interlocking systems
that control society and our lives.
Hooks argued that the accessibility of films gave them the power to “transform
culture right before our very eyes” and so they should be used to discuss issues of
race, gender and class.
Liesbet van zoonen:
Argues that gender is constructed by its meaning in society and the social and
cultural context of the period.
Masculinity and feminity are constructed by society so as a template for how
people view and identify themselves based on the codes used to construct the ideas
behind gender.
For example, if young girls only see women represented as housewives in the
media, they will grow up to mimic the behaviour that they see I their role models.
The media should support the integration of women into typically male dominated
fields in order to break free from old stereotypes and give girls modern women in
strong job roles to aspire to.
Narrow representation of women in the media is unrealistic, however a more
realistic portrayal of women would be problematic due to the stereotypes still
present in society.
VAN ZOONEN
Bell hooks:
Believes that social classifications (race, gender, sexual identity and class) are
interconnected, and that ignoring this overlap leads to oppression towards women,
changing their experience of living as a woman.
Feminism does not fight for equality of women and men (of the same class) but is a
movement that fights to end sexist oppression and exploitation.
There are many frameworks that attempt to explain prejudice and privilege in
society that is often disguised by being presented as biological facts rather than
stereotypes. One of these is linked to misogyny and how women can be seen in
history as inferior to men.
Bell hooks emphasised how the intersectionality of social classifications calling it
the “white supremacist capitalist patriarchy”. She argued that in order to have a
better understanding of identity, you have to analyse all the interlocking systems
that control society and our lives.
Hooks argued that the accessibility of films gave them the power to “transform
culture right before our very eyes” and so they should be used to discuss issues of
race, gender and class.
Liesbet van zoonen:
Argues that gender is constructed by its meaning in society and the social and
cultural context of the period.
Masculinity and feminity are constructed by society so as a template for how
people view and identify themselves based on the codes used to construct the ideas
behind gender.
For example, if young girls only see women represented as housewives in the
media, they will grow up to mimic the behaviour that they see I their role models.
The media should support the integration of women into typically male dominated
fields in order to break free from old stereotypes and give girls modern women in
strong job roles to aspire to.
Narrow representation of women in the media is unrealistic, however a more
realistic portrayal of women would be problematic due to the stereotypes still
present in society.
