Date of Award
Summer 8-1-2008
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Department
Communication
First Advisor
Jay Clarkson
Second Advisor
Darlene M. Hantzis
Third Advisor
David W. Worley
Abstract
This feminist criticism study examines work-related advice in Essence and Glamour magazines for the year 2007. Essence magazine is an African American magazine destined to women, and Glamour is a mainstream publication mostly read by young to middle-aged women. A total of 24 issues pertaining to work were examined in order to assess the feminism of both publications. Findings reveal the presence of four main themes: success as hegemonic masculinity, modeling the ideal employee: maintaining capitalism, the gendered workplace, and postfeminism. The first theme indicates an emphasis on career advancement for women. Because this notion is framed in masculinist terms, it renders the feminism of the magazines questionable. The second theme shows that the magazines construct the ideal capitalist worker, a raceless and genderless individual. The third theme demonstrates that the magazines express gender stereotypes through the presence of traditional female traits, the imagery of the wife and the mother, and the male gaze. The final theme shows how Essence and Glamour promote postfeminist views.
Recommended Citation
Cruz, Joelle Marie, "A Feminist Criticism of Work-Related Advice in Essence and Glamour Magazines for the Year 2007" (2008). All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 3303.
https://scholars.indianastate.edu/etds/3303
Included in
Gender and Sexuality Commons, Gender, Race, Sexuality, and Ethnicity in Communication Commons, Mass Communication Commons, Women's Studies Commons, Work, Economy and Organizations Commons