Masculinity In Maxim Magazine
Location
CSU 201
Start Date
21-4-2008 3:00 PM
End Date
21-4-2008 4:30 PM
Student's Major
Gender and Women's Studies
Student's College
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Mentor's Name
Cheryl Radeloff
Mentor's Department
Gender and Women's Studies
Mentor's College
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Description
Over the past decade, the United States media has perpetuated the trend of "lad mags," magazines with content that is aimed to appeal to young men, typically ages 16 to 25. With more than 30 editions globally and immense circulation among men in the United States, Maxim magazine is at the forefront of this venue of entertainment. This research examined the contemporary ideas about hegemonic heterosexual masculinity as evidenced through a content analysis of three issues of Maxim magazine, spanning from 2003 to 2008. Maxim's content depicts masculinity standards as a culturally indicated, complex component of contemporary society. A definition of masculinity was constructed through an analysis of anti-intellectualism, sexism, gender identity, and sexuality found in the sample. This research found that hegemonic masculine characteristics were upheld within the content of the magazine. By challenging these dominant portrayals of masculinity in popular men's media like Maxim, the need for masculinity standards to be reconstructed is evident, promoting a discourse for positive change.
Masculinity In Maxim Magazine
CSU 201
Over the past decade, the United States media has perpetuated the trend of "lad mags," magazines with content that is aimed to appeal to young men, typically ages 16 to 25. With more than 30 editions globally and immense circulation among men in the United States, Maxim magazine is at the forefront of this venue of entertainment. This research examined the contemporary ideas about hegemonic heterosexual masculinity as evidenced through a content analysis of three issues of Maxim magazine, spanning from 2003 to 2008. Maxim's content depicts masculinity standards as a culturally indicated, complex component of contemporary society. A definition of masculinity was constructed through an analysis of anti-intellectualism, sexism, gender identity, and sexuality found in the sample. This research found that hegemonic masculine characteristics were upheld within the content of the magazine. By challenging these dominant portrayals of masculinity in popular men's media like Maxim, the need for masculinity standards to be reconstructed is evident, promoting a discourse for positive change.
Recommended Citation
Smith, Nicole. "Masculinity In Maxim Magazine." Undergraduate Research Symposium, Mankato, MN, April 21, 2008.
https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/urs/2008/oral-session-08/4
