Manoraj Sivantharajah

ANGELA MCROBBIE THEORY

• Angela was born in 1951 in the UK

• She is a British cultural Theorist

• She did her post graduate degree at the University of Birmingham

• She then went onto teach in London then to teach at Loughborough University

• She is now currently is a Professor of Communication at Goldsmiths, University of London.

• Her media theory is well known one.

ANGELA MCROBBIE

Angela McRobbie did most of her research into the magazine industry and

the contents of magazines. She mainly looks at the way in which gender roles

are represented within different within media. So what does the media say that

males and females do. She ultimately feels that the media by doing this

influences us as humans into what we should and should not do. So they

“socialize” us into our gender roles. This suggests that humans behave like

they do because of what the media tells them to how to behave and what to

do with their lives.

THE THEORY

She believes that in most media texts;

men are portrayed by the following:

• Masculine

• Aggressive

• Powerful

• Etc..

So basically saying media portray them

in an extreme stereotypical manner:

HOW MEN ARE PORTRAYED IN

THE MEDIA

She believes that in most media texts;

women are portrayed by the following:

• Weak

• Subservient to men

• Traditional roles (mother, nurse)

• Etc…

So basically saying media portray them

in an extreme stereotypical manner:

HOW WOMEN ARE PORTRAYED

IN THE MEDIA

McRobbie however does accept that

within some media text, women are

shown in more powerful sexual roles

and she suggests this could be a good

thing. This is where controversy

aroused as other feminists argue as they

believe that that the suggestion is

demeaning to women. However Angela

McRobbie believes that some

representations empower women as

sexually powerful.

CONTROVERSY

In my opinion, I fully agree with Angela McRobbie as most media texts do

have stereotypical representation of gender roles. I believe that this is a good

thing as by trying to change this view will cause more unrest. As society over

the years has come to terms with the stereotypical gender roles produced by

various media texts and the change I believe will just be too much hassle and it

will cause unrest within in society. However taking into account cultural

variations I think McRobbie’s idea of powerful women gender representation

will help woman state their power in those societies where men totally over

power women.

MY VIEWS