Gender Symbolic Messages in Music and Magazines Consumed by Young Mexicans

Martha P Zarza Delgado,Carolina Serrano Barquín,Héctor Serrano Barquín

doi:10.3989/chdj.2013.018

Martha P Zarza Delgado, Carolina Serrano Barquín + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3989/chdj.2013.018

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Abstract

Music and magazines are methods of symbolic communication for youth, through which they receive and send concrete messages about social constructs of gender. The aim of this paper is to report the results obtained in the analysis of visual and textual codes in music and magazines consumed by young Mexicans daily. In general terms, the results show a wealth of meanings and values about sexual identity anchored in traditional stereotypes that in some way continue promoting violence against women.

Highlights

A great number of answers could be proposed to the question of what contributes to violence against women in countries like Mexico, creating a multicultural and complex mosaic where an andocentric social structure predominates
The question being posed in this paper corresponds to the hypothesis that the cultural consumerism of musical images and lyrics, as well as youth magazines which display traditional stereotypes of feminism and masculinity, as antagonistic expressions, cause distinct forms of gender violence, given
The evident coincidence identified in the body styles and stereotypes valued by today’s youth and those that appear in music and certain magazines are not a coincidence

Summary

Introduction

A great number of answers could be proposed to the question of what contributes to violence against women in countries like Mexico, creating a multicultural and complex mosaic where an andocentric social structure predominates. There is cultural, identity, religious and educational information –formal or informal– which supports a patriarchal or generally sexist social organization. This form of power over women allows for submission, domination and exploitation. The question being posed in this paper corresponds to the hypothesis that the cultural consumerism of musical images and lyrics, as well as youth magazines which display traditional stereotypes of feminism and masculinity, as antagonistic expressions, cause distinct forms of gender violence, given.

Objectives

Conclusion