Gladys Otavalo
Miss Bogacka
ENG 101.0800
November 15, 2010
The link of Masculinity and Magazines
Through time, the male gender has developed a true image through physical characteristics, behavior, attitude and virility. From a gender perspective it is important to understand that there are several types of masculinity in the U.S. Despite of physical features some forms of masculinity have just caused controversy, they have also idealized, refined and drawn a true model of masculinity, that of the "rock man". Their physical characteristics show and create their own image in advertising. Men's magazines have been the essential key to represent, understand and interpret the true meaning and type of masculinity; They creates and recreates the wishes and expectations of a specific type of man in advertising. For instance, in the magazine GQ which is a popular men’s magazine, has published many articles about how a true masculinity is reflected in advertisement, the workplace, and around the whole world? In addition, men's magazines have allowed the readers to visualize a type of masculinity man that is reflected by his physical and facial features. Masculine features in men’s magazine are necessary to reflect the ideal image of the mal
First of all, although no doubt admit that the idea of how it is interpreted varies but is necessary to say that a strong and muscular body in all its angles is essential to convey the message of the product. Men's magazines advertising are focused on a main and common idea, which is based on building a healthy, strong, and dominant and at the same time intelligent in the male gender. Thus, men's magazine like GQ has got an interesting and influent male image. In fact, in GQ men's magazine there is an article by Bill Prince called “Colin Firth who is the GQ man of the Year 2001”. It is about the life of Firth, a man who thanks to his strong masculinity has achieved a perfect life. Furthermore, his attitude and personality as a rude and sensual guy at the same time has allowed him to develop well in different acting roles in movies. Firth’s masculinity is one of the main factors that have helped him score points in his work and the significant appreciation of his public. His positive personality has also developed a strong element in his life, his love for the liberation of not having to win or compete with someone or have to expect others teach him about his attitude or personality. Finally, Firth’s specific portrayal of “manly”, “strong”, masculinity has helped him to continue his professional success in advertising. In addition, there is influential evidence on the development of masculinity in magazines in an interesting book called Creating Modern Man American Magazines and Consumer Culture, 1900-1950. It relates how men create the missing elements of masculinity through their development their work area which enabled them to establish their specific personality in advertising magazines. For example; it said: “Most editors and contributors to white magazines took an optimistic view of men’s prospects, finding ample prospects for men to realize their goals, whether they were personal or work related” (8). In addition, in the beginning of the century, males were encouraged to individuate themselves and by pursing a number of possible opportunities to the self expression as engaging in recreation, expressing an interest in image personal, or developing a personality pleasant were all presented as viable ways for men to express their masculine identity. Finally, men’s physical traits and a strong and detailed masculinity convey the true message of advertising to the public.
Secondly, men's magazines have pushed the male gender to perceive, symbolize and express their own masculinity through the image of men advertising. For that reason, masculinity has come to a realty show in each of its vast fields. Every man’s magazine strives to convey its message right through a different specific type of masculinity. For instance, GQ magazine published an interesting article called Ed Norton Just Wants It Perfect by John Brodie refers about Edward Norton's life who gained a reputation as " man 1" in advertising. His power and strength led to the seduction of a big audience, especially his physical appearance has been a vital element to prove his strong and dominant masculinity. This fact has led him to a long and interesting career, which has become the most important actor of male actors of his generation. Furthermore, his character and attitude was never allowed to be satisfied simply by to be a male public figure, unlike, his crops literary sensibility had pushed him to overcome obstacles to maintain its role of masculine hero in advertising. Thus his personal life is showing signs of brilliance, strength and powers which have led to the top of fame. In retrospect, Edward Norton’ article seems to have been specific. Despite the difficult obstacles in his life, his masculinity and personality have led him to be a perfect model of man. Furthermore, in this influential book Creating Modern Man American Magazines and Consumer Culture, 1900-1950 reflects about how man and masculinity can be seen as crucial points in the males. Their specific dominance and strong allow them reflect an interesting and specific image of masculinity. In fact, this book focused: “This image of the self-made man is crucial to my study, for most of those who wrote about masculine success in American magazines frequently paid homage to this enduring cultural ideal” (10). The lives of men are one of the most popular stories through advanced capitalist society because their behaviors and attitudes allow men to show expectations of power, strength and sensual and sexual competition which are essential foundations their performing in advertising magazine. Therefore, a specific personality and a strong body becomes a symbol of masculinity which means that masculinity is made through the body and what the body does. Definitely, masculinity is a big and significantly element in the most popular men's magazines.
Finally, most publicity reflects a specific and appropriate masculinity to present a particular interview or an article, which is regarded as a close and perfect relation between masculinity and person and/or masculinity and body. In fact, the GQ magazine published an article named How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb A Survival Guide to the NFL's Quarterback Rating System By Steinberg which focused to the secret crisis of obsession that many men suffer by getting or keeping a strong muscular body. Many men think that a rough and large body reflects a true masculinity, but it is not true. Unlike their obsession is affecting their masculinity image because they are taking steroids or supplements to improve their physical appearance. In fact, in a book titled Live Flesh the Male Body in Contemporary Spanish Cinema reflected “Muscularity was no longer reserved for the gods and the heroes: the implicit message seemed to be that anyone with a desire to obtain a more muscular body could have it, thanks to a combination of weightlifting, aerobic exercise and special nutrition. It was soon discovered that a large percentage of males were dissatisfied with their body image, in particular with their muscular tone. A 1994 survey found that 91% of US college men” and it also reflected “It was also discovered that dissatisfaction with one’s own body image has rapidly grown over the last two decades: the percentage of men dissatisfied with their muscle tone rose from 25%” (64). In this way, men should be aware that a strong and big body without a specific and interesting personality, attitude and intelligence does not reflect a true masculinity. In other words, masculinity is only not physical appearance, but also mental. The most important things to determine the type of masculinity in advertising are man's personality and strong body. This close relation will show power and dominance as a ”rock male” in the men's magazine.
Although different types of masculinity continue to generate controversy it is necessary to mention that kind of masculinity "rock male" reflects, creates and develops a true image of advertising in men's magazines through of their strong body and personality. Thus males can express the deep and intense advertising message through their physical appearance.
Works Cited
Brodie, John. “Ed Norton Just Want It Perfect” GQ. March 2001. Vol. 71. Print.
Fouz H, Santiago., and Alfredo Martonez “Live Flesh the Male Body in
Contemporary Spanish Cinema”. New York. N.Y. 2007 (63-81).Print
Gilbert, Elizabeth. “My Life as a Man’. GQ. August 2001. Vol. 71. Print
Pendergast, Tom. “Creating the modern man: America Magazines and consumer culture,
1900-1950”. Columbia, Mo: U. of Missouri P.C 2000 P (269-283).
Price, Bill. “Colin Firth who is the GQ Men of the Year.” GQ. Oct. 2001.Vol. 71. Print.
Stenberg, Don “How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb a Survival Guide
to the NFL's Quarterback Rating System” GQ. Oct. 2001 Vol. 71. Print
No comments:
Post a Comment