Introduction:
Laura Mulvey is a media theorist born in Britain. Her work encapsulates how women are viewed by men in the mainstream media. The Male Gaze theory often depicts the way in which women are presented in media products from a male dominated view and presents them as objects of male desire.
What is the ‘Male Gaze’?
The male gaze theory is a well acclaimed media theory which theorises how the media presents female characters and stories in the eyes of heterosexual males, who see the females as objects for sexual desire or their own personal gain. Laura Mulvey says that this is a core issue in the media industry about how gender roles are presented and perceived in media products. The male gaze theory is very important to understand as it shines a light on how media producers present female characters. Male characters are often seen as the main anchors of the media product. Media is becoming more diverse in 21st century but a lot more work is yet to be done. More media representation of female characters is coming, notably with the first female 007 in 2021 in ‘no time to die’ who was Lashana Lynch. This shows that the media is becoming more diverse in big female lead roles.
Impacts on Society:
The male gaze often is seen by academics as having a negative effect on society. The theory discusses how women are seen as objects in the eyes of heterosexual males and the media for self-gain and pleasure. The stereotypes that occur from the male gaze theory are also very preeminent regarding gender stereotypes showcasing how heterosexual relationships should go as the ‘status quo’. Men also can be impacted by this theory as it often streamlines their confidence in understanding relationships with the added pressure of an expectation as to what a stereotypical relationship should look like. The theory also adds unnecessary pressure on women for the way in which they should look and present themselves in the eyes of males which can cause mental health problems. The male gaze theory also impacts society by lowering self-esteem of females as they are often seen as objects instead of human beings and the media often will look at getting attractive women to play roles to get viewership and profit.
Counterarguments & Critiques:
Throughout the media, the audiences can have varying views and opinions on the content they consume. Some critiques of the male gaze theory suggests that this theory is often limiting the analysis of how audiences interpret the media in their own personal way and is too simple in its explanation. Acknowledgements have been held firmly with the male gaze theory; some leading theorists have suggested that the theory is making women producers, storytellers and films directors more empowered in sharing and making media content. Others suggest that experiences from women vary based on factors like their socio-economic background, age or their own upbringings.
Conclusion:
Overall, the male gaze theory offers in-depth analysis into how the media portrays females in a certain way. Females are seen as a desire and an object through the eyes that acts like a lens of heterosexual men. This theory offers a complex thought about how the media has changed throughout the years to offer more diverse female representations.
References:
Aishwarya Nabh (2020). The Never Diminishing Power Of Male Gaze. [online] The Womb. Available at: https://www.thewomb.in/the-never-diminishing-power-of-male-gaze/ [Accessed 30 Nov. 2025].
Sampson, R. (2015). Film Theory 101 – Laura Mulvey: The Male Gaze Theory | Film Inquiry. [online] Film Inquiry. Available at: https://www.filminquiry.com/film-theory-basics-laura-mulvey-male-gaze-theory/.
Image credits:
The Sociology Guy
Aishwarya Nabh
Hi, I really enjoyed reading your blog post on the male gaze , it made me think more deeply about how it operates in today’s society. I also really like how you structured your blog ,the clear sections made it very easy to follow and understand your points. agree with your critical reflection on both women and men, and I think the stereotypes you mention play a big role. They limit how women “should” behave or present themselves in order to fit into social standards. I also feel that the formation of the male gaze can’t be separated from gender inequality: in the past (and even now), men have often held more power than women from a global perspective. That’s why the male gaze tends to be shaped through a male-centred lens.
I like how you explain the male gaze clearly and you keep the language straightforward, which makes it easy to follow. I also like that you bring in a more recent example like Lashana Lynch, it shows you’re trying to connect Mulvey’s 1970s theory to modern media. Your blog leans heavily on describing what the male gaze is, but not as much on how it actually works in media or what Mulvey meant by things like “scopophilia” or “identification” so it would be better if you explained that part. Otherwise it’s very simple and understandable.