Gender Relations

Although Gender Relations is largely focused on critiquing media, the other focus of this blog is to offer up alternatives to the images, movies, music, and pieces of culture that seem is limiting. This is why I have created two categories : Critique and Alternatives. I think by organizing the mindset of the posts, people can at least navigate to an alternative. With this change, I am also going to try to increase the amount of “alternative” media that I post about because increasing media literacy is one of two primary goals with the other being to show examples of good “gender relations”.

I have also gone through all other posts on the site and added categories to them. Do note that just because something isn’t categorized as “alternative” doesn’t mean there isn’t a reference to something, but if “alternative” is a specific category, then it is a focus of the article.

Thanks for your support!

Let me know if you have any other suggestions for the site!

Hello All,

For all those who visit the site, thank you for your continued support. It means a lot that someone is reading the thoughts and analysis that takes place here at Gender Relations. I felt like it was time to actually buy the domain gender-relations (the double r in genderrelations seemed too odd). I will be putting up a redirect for the old address to this one, in the meantime all other content (minus images) should be up and running on the new domain, so update your bookmarks! Thanks again, and spread the word!

Matt

Although I have yet to get all the way through the book “Packaging Girlhood” by Lyn Mikel Brown and Sharon Lamb, it is a great analysis of how marketing and media extrapolate gender stereotypes for girls and sell them through tv, movies, clothing, and other society “packages”. The authors of that book , including Mark Tappan, have recently released their followup “Packaging Boyhood”. My copy came in the mail today, and I have read the intro thus far, and it sounds really exciting.

Anyways, the authors will be at the University of Maine (in Orono) on January 26th for a few events :

Stodder Hall
10 – 11:30

After this presentation and discussion they will be at the

Women in Curriculum Luncheon in the Bangor Room starting at 12:15

If you haven’t heard of the books, pick them up, they are a great stepping stone into gender based marketing research and are really comprehensive (as much as you can be on the media) with their examples and though process. I am sure after reading Packaging Boyhood I will have a new take on some of the blogging that I do myself. I already am having some interesting realizations after reading the introduction.

See you there!

Free to Be…Us is a research project that I am forming as an open call for response in relation to Free to Be…US (see my original post about this 70s progressive media).

It would be great if any of you wanted to respond to the call. I am really trying to jump start something in coordination to the film and this blog that jump starts creating progressive media that reflects positive messages. Links and call are below :

Free To Be…US Homepage
The Call

Calling all artists,sociologists, college students, parents, participants and viewers of media to:

1. Help us create positive examples of a culture based in equality.
2. Reflect a spirit that seeks to engender a progressive culture.

Free To Be…US is an open call for response to the popular 70’s Film “Free to Be…You and Me.”  This project is a way to inform and create a new generation of progressive educational media exploring the topics of gender, family, individuality, equality, and relationships.

• Recreate / Modernize /  Respond to “Free to Be…You and Me” (What is Free to Be..You and Me?)

Free To Be…US Directions : Participants are invited to peruse responses to the Free to Be…You and Me (FTBYAM) segments on the main web page (noted as “prompts”) and respond through any media/form that you wish, but documented through video.

Responses will be part of an online video gallery launching on December 8th.

The “prompts” are located in the FTBYAM Original Category consisting of the original segments of the film

Once you have finished your response and documented it, please upload your response to the “Free To be Us” Video Channel on YouTube : HERE (click submit video at the top).

Please list the following criteria in your video upload submission description

* Original “prompt” title you are responding to
* Description of response
* Explanation of response

– Upload to the “Free to Be…Us” Video Channel

Responses must be uploaded by November 23rd
* You May Respond To More Than 1 Prompt
Free to Be…Us Online Gallery will be exhibiting starting December 8th

There has yet to be a similar compilation of children’s media that parallel an atmosphere of fun and raise the issues surrounding the aforementioned topics without preaching or hammering a message into people’s minds. A subtle approach to education and media . Marlo Thomas had an incredible vision that seems to be unmet in todays culture of media saturation. So it is up to you, as a community of artists, sociologists, college students, parents, participants and viewers of media to create positive examples of equality that reflect a culture that wants to procure progressive culture.

(although this post is not regarding gender specifically, it is an important issue)

So, tomorrow I am taking off from work and class to go down to Augusta, Maine where a hearing about marriage equality will take place. If you live in Maine, it is really important to get down there to be supportive. They are bussing down people that are against this issue. If you are going, wear red to show support!

http://equalitymaine.org/marriage-and-families/come-the-public-hearing-the-marriage-bill-ld-1020

Come to the Public Hearing on the Marriage Bill (LD 1020)