The Politics of Being a Woman : Feminism, Media and 21st Century Popular Culture

What does it mean to be a woman in the 21st century? The feminist movement has a long and rich history, but is its time now passed? This edited collection is driven by the question, why is feminism viewed by some (we would add a majority) as outdated, no longer necessary and having achieved its goals, and what role have the media played in this?. What does it mean to be a woman in the 21st century? The feminist movement has a long and rich history, but has its time now passed? This edited collection is driven by the question, why is feminism viewed by some as outdated, no longer necessary and having achieved its goals, and, we ask, what role have the media played in this? Debates in media and cultural studies often focus on the politics of everyday life, tending to marginalise formal (or 'big P') Politics (government and Parliament); whereas debates in political science tend to marginalise the everydayness of politics ('small p' politics). Aiming to bring these two strands together, this volume argues that 'politics' needs to be reinserted into debates around the nature of contemporary feminism, as well as restating that feminism is central to contemporary P/politics What Does It Mean To Be A Woman In The 21st Century? The Feminist Movement Has A Long And Rich History, But Is Its Time Now Passed? This Edited Collection Is Driven By The Question, Why Is Feminism Viewed By Some (we Would Add A Majority) As Outdated, No Longer Necessary And Having Achieved Its Goals, And What Role Have The Media Played In This? Debates In Media And Cultural Studies Often Focus On The Politics Of Everyday Life, Tending To Marginalise Formal (or 'big P') Politics (government And Parliament); Whereas Debates In Political Science Tend To Marginalise The Everydayness Of Politics ('small P' Politics). Aiming To Bring These Two Strands Together, This Volume Argues That 'politics' Needs To Be Reinserted Into Debates Around The Nature Of Contemporary Feminism, As Well As Restating That Feminism Is Central To Contemporary P/politics-- Foreword / Liesbet Van Zoonen -- 1. Introduction: The Politics Of Being A Woman / Heather Savigny And Helen Warner -- 2. Seen And Not Heard: The Popular Appeal Of Postfeminist Political Celebrity / Emily Harmer -- 3. Honour Is Everything For Muslims? Vendetta Song, Filmic Representations, Religious Identity And Gender Politics In Turkey / Eylem Atakav -- 4. 'i'm A Free Bitch Baby', A 'material Girl': Interrogating Audience Interpretations Of The Postfeminist Performances Of Lady Gaga And Madonna / Oliver Brooks -- 5. 'a Place For Talking About Female Stars': Exploring Versatility, Femininity And 'fantasy' In Mother-daughter Talk On Film Stars / Sarah Ralph -- 6. 'where Do You Go After Bridesmaids?': The Politics Of Being A Woman In Hollywood / Helen Warner And Heather Savigny -- 7. 'i'd Rather Be Peggy Than Betty': Female Audience Responses To Mad Men / Katixa Agirre -- 8. Girls And Cultural Consumption: 'typical Girls', 'fangirls' And The Value Of Femininity / Victoria Cann -- 9. Beyond Media And Popular Culture: I'm A Feminist If.....manifesta / Heather Savigny And Helen Warnerafterword / Kat Banyard. Edited By Heather Savigny, Bournemouth University, Uk And Helen Warner, University Of East Anglia, Uk. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Front Matter....Pages i-xviii Introduction: The Politics of Being a Woman....Pages 1-24 Front Matter....Pages 25-25 Seen and Not Heard: The Popular Appeal of Postfeminist Political Celebrity....Pages 27-48 ‘Honour is everything for Muslims’? Vendetta Song, Filmic Representation, Religious Identity and Gender Politics in Turkey....Pages 49-63 Front Matter....Pages 65-65 ‘I’m a Free Bitch Baby’, a ‘Material Girl’: Interrogating Audience Interpretations of the Postfeminist Performances of Lady Gaga and Madonna....Pages 67-90 ‘A Place for Talking about Female Stars’: Exploring Versatility, Femininity and ‘Fantasy’ in Mother-Daughter Talk on Film Stars....Pages 91-111 ‘Where Do You Go after Bridesmaids?’: The Politics of Being a Woman in Hollywood....Pages 112-131 Front Matter....Pages 133-133 ‘I’d Rather Be Peggy than Betty’: Female Audience Responses to Mad Men....Pages 135-153 Girls and Cultural Consumption: ‘Typical Girls’, ‘Fangirls’ and the Value of Femininity....Pages 154-174 Conclusion: Politics beyond Media and Popular Culture — I am a Feminist Because... A Manifesta....Pages 175-194 Afterword....Pages 195-197 Back Matter....Pages 198-200