FHM magazine and its representations of gender

This paper will be discussing the changing nature of masculinity due to the declining dominance of man within society. Stating how new forms of masculinity are derived due to these cultural changes and the delivery of such ideas through aspects of the media. For Him Magazine will be specified, as this constitutes a new form of masculinity regarded as ‘laddish culture’, an article in the magazine will also be analysed to show how it is written within the context of the magazine.

Masculinity is bound by historic, cultural, economic and political conditions and must therefore be related to the development of the gender order (Baron, B, 2001, p153). Patterns of masculinity reinforced in the history of male dominance, affect man’s mode of thinking; being a man therefore is part of a distinct social practice. A man must express his dominance by offering different forms of masculinity, as appropriated by the current trend of culture. Masculinity has many forms of expression and appears to be evolving as women have become more powerful in society. Women’s rise in the hierarchical structure of society has questioned mans concept of masculinity, as the dominance of man de

The articles on technology and ‘gadgets’ appear to create a further sense of phallic symbolism. Reviews of new power tools and fast sports cars appear to influence the reader’s sense of masculinity. Research shows that the review section of gadgets and technology has been hugely successful, this feature has been developed over the previous year; the increase in adverts featuring technological accessories has coincided with this development.

Throughout the article the writer applies metaphoric descriptive words, when referring to city life. The writer has created awareness to city life by using descriptive words such as ‘beast’ and ‘jungle’, giving the reader a sense of danger, which is further enhanced with phrases about roads that ‘snarl’. This metaphoric way of writing has given the city animal attributes, creating a sense of urgency and impending danger. The writer has built up the tension of city life knowing the reader will relate using ideological experiences. Once this tension has been built the writer offers a solution, ‘you need the right tool for the job of navigating the urban jungle and that tool could well be the spanking new Citroen C2’. Once the writer has introduced the ‘tool for navigating the urban jungle’, the terminology of city life is restored to its original form and the use of metaphoric discourse is less significant.

Some topics in this essay:
, University Britain’, Citroen C2’, Jennifer Ellison, Keynes’ Throughout, Britain’ FHM, Monte Carlo, FHM Magazine, ‘laddish culture’, form masculinity, city life, phallic symbolism, forms masculinity, front cover, celebration ‘laddish, sexual connotations, jennifer ellison, cover girl, celebration ‘laddish culture’, masculinity phallic symbolism, ‘laddish culture’ form, feature regularly throughout,