The study of how media representation contributes to the construction of gender and the perpetuation of gender inequality.
Patriarchy: Analyzing the power dynamics and oppression of women in society through media representations.
Representation: Deconstructing the images and messages constructed by the media that reinforce gender stereotypes.
Intersectionality: Exploring the ways that race, class, sexuality, and other identities intersect with gender in media portrayals.
Body Politics: Examining the politics of the female body in media portrayals, including objectification, beauty standards, and body shaming.
Feminist Film Theory: Exploring feminist film criticism, including the role of women filmmakers and the representation of women on screen.
Media Ownership: Analyzing the concentration of media ownership and its impact on the representation of women.
Social Media: Examining the role of social media in shaping public opinion and amplifying feminist voices.
Cyberfeminism: Exploring the intersection of technology and feminism, including issues related to online harassment and gendered digital divides.
Global Feminism and Media: Analyzing the representation of women in media around the world and how feminist activism is changing media landscapes.
Queer theory and Media: Exploring the intersection of queer theory and feminist media theory in analyzing issues related to LGBTQ representation in the media.
Liberal Feminist Media Theory: This theory seeks to address issues of gender inequality in mass media, specifically calling for greater representation of women in media and an end to sexist stereotypes.
Marxist Feminist Media Theory: This theory critiques the media industry and its role in perpetuating capitalist and patriarchal power structures, arguing that media ownership and control is concentrated in the hands of a wealthy minority who use it to maintain their social and economic dominance.
Socialist Feminist Media Theory: Similar to Marxist Feminist Media Theory, this theory argues that media ownership and control perpetuate social and economic inequality. However, it emphasizes the intersectionality of gender, class, and race, and seeks to bring about systemic change through worker ownership or other alternatives to capitalist ownership structures.
Radical Feminist Media Theory: This theory emphasizes the ways in which mass media perpetuates negative attitudes about women, contributing to misogyny and violence against women. It also highlights the importance of women creating their own media spaces and challenging traditional gender roles and stereotypes.
Postmodern Feminist Media Theory: This theory challenges traditional notions of "truth" and "objectivity" in media, arguing that these are constructed concepts that are shaped by dominant power structures. It emphasizes the importance of diverse perspectives and experiences in shaping media portrayals and critiques the notion of a singular, authoritative voice.
Black Feminist Media Theory: Building from the frameworks of intersectionality and critical race theory, this theory emphasizes the importance of including the perspectives and experiences of Black women in analyses of media representation and critique. It highlights the ways in which media perpetuates racism, sexism, and other forms of oppression.
Queer Feminist Media Theory: This theory critiques the ways in which media representations of gender and sexuality often reinforce heteronormative and cisnormative norms. It emphasizes the importance of inclusive media representation that reflects and validates a range of gender expressions and sexual orientations.
Third World Feminist Media Theory: This theory is rooted in the experiences of women in non-Western countries, arguing that mass media perpetuates colonial power structures that marginalize and exploit women in the Global South. It highlights the importance of centering the voices and experiences of these women in discussions of media representation and power.