Thursday, 12 April 2012

Identity and the media

The definition of 'Identity' is "1. The collective aspect of the set of characteristics by which a thing is definitively recognizable or known" (http://www.thefreedictionary.com/identity).



The term identity can refer to culture, gender, sexuality, religion, race and class.

Identity consists of:


  • Sender- the thing/person the identity has been created for.
  • Intention- what is expected by the identity
  • Message- what the identity is to represent
  • Transmittion- how the identity will be shown
  • Noise- the actual 'showing' of the idenity
  • Receiver- who is to receive/ who sees the idenity
  • Destination- where the identity gets you
    (information adapted from lecture notes)
                              
 Identity is continuously changing, it is a fluid movement for example the image of women in the 1950's is a lot different to what it is today. 
1950's house wife
(http://crabbyoldfart.wordpress.com/2010/08/30/fogeyopedia/1950s-housewife/)
Business woman of today
(http://www.zunespring.com/business/business-tips-for-women/)

Jordan 'todays image of sexy'

Now women have been released from the home they have been able to create any identity they want for themselves. They have been able to create a strong independent image such as the business woman or exploit themselves and use their bodies as their image such as Jordan. Women have also been able to taint the stereotypical woman image by binge drinking on the streets, being loutish and becoming 'ladettes', so the transformation of identity is not always for the better. It is a big step from what the identity of women was, to the identity of women today. Without the fluid movement of identity there would have been one big culture shock. 

“…popular ideas about the self in society have changed, so that identity is today seen as more fluid and transformable than ever before” (Gauntlet, 2011)



Men no longer have to be the hunter gatherer type, covered in muscles and full of testosterone. It is now acceptable for them to be in touch with their feminine side and to be interested in fashion and cosmetics. The media backs up this change identity and feeds it by producing cosmetics purely for men. 

Clarins for men.
(http://www.handbag.com/beauty/skin-care/top-10-mens-ranges-100689)



“…the social construction of identity today is the knowing social construction of identity. 
Your life is your project ‐ there is no escape” (Gauntlet, 2011) 

Someone who is fully aware of the social construction of identity is Madonna, she has adapted herself to suit the fluid movement of identity to keep her self recognizable and iconic (inspiration taken from lecture notes)
Madonna 
(http://enterthecircle.wordpress.com/2008/11/)




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