The Male Gaze and Oppositional Gaze

The male gaze is is defined as a man’s impression of seeing a woman. Consequently, the word “survey” is used quite frequently in both articles, in my opinion, what men do is evaluate the women he looks at. The man will then decide his next course of action based on his evaluation. “One might simplify this by saying : men act and women appear. Men look at women. Women watch themselves being looked at. This determines not only most relations between men and women but also the relation of women to themselves.” (Berger, 47) 

The male gaze is pervasive in art because in history, it has showed that women were not valued in art as they should be. The naked body was seen and unappreciated. In history books, naked men are valued, their sculptures appreciated and memorable. Naked sculptures of women were seen as ordinary, with the subjects mostly unknown. "What is the sexual function of nakedness in reality? Clothes encumber contact and movement. But it would seem that nakedness has a positive visual value in its own right: we want to see the other naked: the other delivers to us the sight of themselves and we seize upon it - sometimes quite regardless of whether it is for the first time or the hundredth." (Berger, 58)

The male gaze is pervasive in popular culture because men have always been in a role of power, and allowed to be in situations where they have some form of control of the public, therefore, controlling media. The age in which we live in has developed a mentality that there is only women beautiful woman, and that anything less isn't undervalued or unappreciated; anything less is discarded and irrelevant. 

Images of Beauty Used Against Women Article

The oppositional gaze, as descried by bell hooks is, "hard intense looks." It is an not physical action, seen as "resistance." A non physical "political" statement. (Hooks, 115) Seemingly, the gaze has always been prevalent, but in slavery is where it began to be punished. African American slaves were beaten if not killed for looking at their owner directly in the eyes, it was seen as disrespectful.  This unfortunately developed into a mentality that parents began to use as slavery ended. The thought process is that, the parent as power (like a slave owner), and a child must be obedient (as a slave would) to their parents. Therefore, a child who gives a "hard intense look" to a parent, would be making a rebellious punishable statement. As bell hooks stated, she was torn because children when yelled at are told to look at their parents, not look down at the ground yet in everyday situations, looking is what might get them in trouble and it can be confusing. 

I like most men, am not ashamed to say that I look at women I do not know and evaluate or survey them in my head, it would seemingly be against human nature not to. Reading these articles has opened my eyes to a new outlook and new understanding towards just how deep my gaze can impact someone, not only negatively as well. I think that, as superficial as it might sound, for both men and women, if they feel as though they are having a bad day and a person of the opposite sex gives them the "gaze" it just might brighten their day.