Research: Laura Mulvey's Theory

"In a world ordered by sexual imbalance, pleasure in looking has been split between ative/male and passive/female. The determining male gaze projects its fantasy onto the female figure which is styled accordingly" - Laura Mulvey, 1992

Laura Mulvey is a feminist who invented the term “Males Gaze”, a term which she mentions in the quote above. Mulvey begins to criticise the media as they are the people who have encouraged the sexualisation of women. The quote insinuates that the female body is a sort of sexual object for men who posses strong sexual desires. However, Mulvey’s use of the males gaze suggests that she thinks that audiences including females have to see women as sexual objects from a male’s perspective due to their portrayal. This theory can closely be linked with the women starring in music videos although it does vary in genres. 

The first example which demonstrates the theory about "Males Gaze" would have to be within the music video, "Single Ladies" - Beyonce. The music video features three women including Beyonce wearing skin tight outfits exposing their legs and arms whilst what would be considered as provocative dancing. Her exposed body will attract men who have them strong sexual desires and it may even draw in some females who find Beyonce's body inspirational in an attempt to fulfill their desires for the perfect body. Also, the absence of men, may make Beyonce more desirable for the male audience due to the fact, it will seem like a personal performance for him as no other men are around to watch and place their gaze upon her. 

Another music video which showcases the theory regarding the males gaze is "Tonight (I'm Lovin' You) by Enrique Iglesias. This music video sexualises woman on a whole new different level as opposed to Single Ladies. In this video we witness, a male, Enrique who is in what seems to be a strip club with women strutting their stuff with their bare chests and boobs hanging out. It becomes a perfect example of the males gaze as it shows what the men actually want and how they relieve themselves of their sexual frustrations. It deals with their frustration as the video demonstrates some sexual activity which would appeal to the male audience. The music video always dismembers the dancing women so the focus is on specific parts of the body and again the emphasis on the body parts of a woman attracts a stronger male audience.