Gender Stereotype Essay

The stereotypical man is seen as the protector, the provider, the dominant one and the fearless strong figure. In this GQ magazine, the central model is male, and is wearing a suit which has connotations of wealth and success, with a women’s hand placed gently on his page. This displays that he has power over her because the women is holding onto him as if she is holding onto him for protection and safety which supports the ideology that women need to look to men for safety. Also the cover lines suggest men are in charge when it says ‘How to pick up women (the right way)’ displaying that the model in the photo will be able to teach you everything about women, which we know is not true. This is supported by the stereotype of a male known to have sex as a ‘lad’, because the use of the words ‘how to’ suggest that, that by ‘picking women up’ the right way is the correct way to treat a women. The stereotype of a women being 2^nd best is also reinforced here because you cannot see the women’s face but only her arm. Showing she is not important enough to be seen on the magazine so only her arm can be shown. Similarly, we can see by the direct mode of address from the central model that he is enjoying himself by the slight smile on his face.

The colour palette of grey, white and blue connote a sense of a wealthy and sophisticated atmosphere, contrasting with the red of the women’s nail connoting a sense of seduction. Perceptively, the red of the nail could symbolise the importance of a women and as seen by the audience the red colour is only minimal amongst the rest of the colour palette on the cover, displaying that a women has very little importance when surrounded by men because they are the successful and prosperous ones whilst a women would just stay at home and do the housework.

                         

Stereotypes of women include being weak, feminine, dainty, powerless, having no authority, being the mother and the housewife. But this ‘Elle’ magazine cover goes against these ideologies and portrays women as sex objects and having relationship obsessions. We stereotype a women to dress appropriately, to look neat and tidy and present herself in suitably, stereotypically in white, pink, red or purple. On this cover, we see the model to be wearing black and grey, with messy hair and heavy make up on. This is not a typical stereotype of women so by presenting this particular model in this way, it connotes the idea of women being rebellious and defiant. The direct mode of address of the women draws the audience in and connotes a sense, from the model, that she wants to be looked at and admired, however she is sitting with her legs open, which in modern day, would connote she has a want for men and she may be easy.

The colour palette is predominantly bright pink, black and white. The contrast between black and white is particularly effective because women are imagined to be dainty and angelic, which are the connotations of white but in this particular magazine cover, the women is sexualised and presented as rebellious which could be the connotations of black. Similarly, the cover lines present a contrast in ideas. The cover line that says ‘Fidelity: why it’s overrated’ suggests that being faithful to a man doesn’t matter anymore and being loyal isn’t important, but contrastingly the cover line that says ‘Is it OK to cry at work’ suggests women may be crying over their relationships and troubles, presenting a weaker side to them.