Project Gender: Identity/ies in Flux

Author: Karen Ross

Essay: “Project Gender: Identity/ies in Flux” from Gendered Media

The author talks about the contemporary response by women and men in a "post feminism" world to the recent advancements of women using various technologies.  Two main concepts are the crisis of masculinity, where men are confused to what their role in society is they are not the dominate head of the household and breadwinner in society, and women's newfound femininity where women embrace being seen as sexual creatures, or "the Super Vixen".  There are all of these confusing and complicated backlashes to feminism and ironic responses by men and women which constantly both men and women's identities "in flux". 

A book I found that I think parallels well with the Promise Keepers the author touched on is Wild at Heart. I think that it is a less extreme take on "rediscovering your god-given masculinity." 

Wikipedia describes the book by the following: 

Wild at Heart is a book by John Eldredge published in 2001, on the subject of the role of masculinity in contemporary evangelical Christian culture and doctrine. Its subtitle is: Discovering the Secret of a Man's Soul. From the back cover: "In Wild at Heart, John Eldredge invites men to recover their masculine heart, defined in the image of a passionate God."  <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wild_at_Heart_(book)>

This book has been very popular in my church back home and over the summer I was conflicted by, what I felt was, very blatant stereotypes of what a "Man" (read in cavemen tone) is supposed to be.  However, I do know that the book has inspired men to be better husbands and fathers.  I grappled with the book by understanding it as a Christian man's attempt to respond in the best way possible to societies pressures and expectations of their gender role.

When I was reading the section "And Now For something Completely Different--A Girl's Own (Mediated) Story" I was struck by the quote,

 "media support for new women is usually restricted to championing their right to bare their breasts (but not to breastfeed), going to work (but not once they have a child), and being a celebrity (but only if they keep themselves in shape.)...The press now insist on reporting stories of in-our-face-girl-power, of successful young women who are clever, articulate, and proud of their curves."  

 This immediately made me think of the Dove campaign "Love your body."  I think the campaign was meant to make a statement that you don't have to look like a Victoria's Secret models to be proud of your body.

 Victoria's Secret

vs.

Dove

There is a very interesting video that I think provides food for thought in response to third wave feminism and what it means to real contemporary women today. This is about a 9 minute trailer of the film "Miss Representation."

     Video: 

Discussion Questions:

1. What would be the solution? Can society function without distinct gender roles? Meaning can men and women be equal in every sense or do we need differentiation?  how could we best achieve the best possible solution and what is it?

2. How can women affirm their sexuality, take ownership of it, and have confidence in their sexuality in a truly empowering way? Is it possible without negative backlashes or implications?