Mens Health: Language and Representation

Language:

1.
Men's Health has a very conventional white background and central image that is place bang in the middle of the front page. The main image they decided to use was a well know figure, Vin Diesel (star power). In the image, we can see Vin Diesel putting a very serious expression on and in a strong stance to show off his muscles. This can be linked to masculinity as it may very represent some traditional masculinity views such as having to be strong with muscles and not showing emotions etc. These ideologies have been fitted into the magazine to suggest that the person is heroic, dominant and strong which is very suitable for this type of magazine. The use of different fonts (serif and sans serif) allows the magazine to target different audience groups which different education levels.

2.
Front cover:
The main cover uses 3 main colours, blue, black and white. This colour scheme tends to be associated with a more masculine colour scheme compared to colours like pink or purple which have been traditionally seen as more 'feminine'. The magazine also chose Vid Diesel to be their main/central image. In the majority if not all of this roles in films, he has been shown as a hyper masculine character which always plays the hero role. This can be related again to traditional masculinity and where our current society is with that. On the other hand, the magazine touches on the topic of mental illness, this subverts traditional masculinity and the expectations of traditional masculinity.

Editors letter:
The layout of this page takes a more modern approach with an artistic way of laying out the contents page. With numbers in different directions and the pictures not in a single row or even having pictures in it, it can attract a different group of audience, perhaps a more artistic audience. This will also help give off an aesthetic pleasure to current audiences. As for the editors letter, it is written informally and directly to the audience which is a convention within magazines such as GQ. With the informal language and direct eye address, it means that the audiences feel more included in the magazine which could link to the personal uses and gratifications theory which was personal relationships. A link between the editor and the audiences.

Article page:
The layout itself is a conventional layout of an article in a magazine. Two columns of writing about a specific topic. The reason why this page stands out is the content itself. This page features a man of older age talking about his story as to why despite his age, still decides to run marathons. In a magazine talking about health generally targeting younger audiences, seeing a feature of an older figure doesn't see to fit. However, this can also meet their goal in attempting to boost the motivation of their audiences to get out and get working out for a better lifestyle. Seeing an older generation who stereo typically are unable to do things such as running marathons, do the 'impossible' makes them think if he can do it then I can too. This method of motivation can really work against a mass audience.

3.
Todorov - The current equilibrium is the current unhealthy lifestyle of the audiences. The disequilibrium is the magazine getting them to go out and do exercise and to diet etc. The new equilibrium after that is the audience having a new and better lifestyle due to the events in the disequilibrium.

Propp - Character theory can be infused into this by viewing people like Vin Diesel or the marathon man as the hero who will be the main inspiration to the audiences change with the editor acting as the donor who lead the audiences to the hero's.

Barthes -

• Enigma - The cover lines
• Action - The image of the marathon man

4.

I think that the editors letter creates more male insecurities but purposely in order to make themselves sound more appealing and for financial gains. By creating these insecurities, it then means that the editor can tell the audience that by reading this magazine, it will include how to solve these so called insecurities. This encourages people to buy the magazine who feel self conscious about their insecurities.

5.

This page does this by featuring an older generation male who is stereotypically seen as incapable of restless actions like marathons doing exactly what they are expected unable to do. With this subverting of stereotypes, it can link to the theory since the stereotype itself is seen as the repetition and the way the marathon man subverts this is seen as the difference in the theory.

Representations:

1.

The first clue to gauntlets ideas of masculinity being shown within this magazine is the way masculinity is shown in the front cover. Vin Diesel who is depicted as a hyper masculine character, is used as the central image. This alone reinforces the traditional views of a man in the way that men should be strong and emotionless. On top on this, Vin Diesel tends to play the hero in films which is another way that the magazine supports the traditional masculinity views. Gauntlett also suggests a generational gap. Even though the magazine itself is aimed at an audience between their 20s to 40s, the featured article of the marathon man subverts man stereotypes which acts as a motivational element to the audience. Although unconventional in a health magazine, still a good idea and method.

2.

Zoonen said that the media often reinforces sex role stereotypes which is reinforced within Men's Health. By having Vin Diesel as the cover image, from the way he is posing to his facial expression and general vibe, it emits a very 'masculine' feel to it. Some of the cover lines add to this where some come across as strong and a bit aggressive once again being a more masculine trait to have. Women on the other hand tend to be put in a more submissive role. For women's health magazines, females are still sexualised more than men with more flesh shown and the female is always wearing make up and is very likely had a lot of editing done to the image to make them look more sexualised in order to gain more views.

3.

Corrosive masculinity can be linked to the CSP. She suggests that gender is just a set of connotations which the society normalises. This ultimately leads to terms such as normalised traumatisation which can create a lot of issues with genders. As for the male gender, it could make then have mental issues where they are being told to confine emotions and expressions as a proof of power. This may have led an amount of males feeling lost and create a feeling of not belonging.

Academic analysis:

1.

Men's Health also leads audiences on advice for a more healthier and fashionable lifestyle.

2.

Advertising can create a base to allowing men to gain self identification through products being advertised in the magazine.

3.

• Butler
• Zoonen
• Gauntlett

4.

The article encourages their audiences to work hard for their body in secrecy but to show off their results in public. In other words, to show off their physical appearances but to hide the work put into it. As for evidence, the global market for male grooming products were said to have grown immensely in just under a decade with an annual rate of 5.7%.

5.
Men's Health being a health magazine shows the bodies of the male figures as strong in order to inspire the audience and make them want to work harder for a better body.

6.
The article suggests that men are also sexualised in the media alike females. New concepts of masculinity are socially constructed by the minute in order to fit this ideal type of man.

7.
Metrosexuality is the feeling of wanting to look good by investing in grooming products and self care products in order to have a nice physical appearance. This can be linked to Men's Health as there are adverts within the magazines for things like razors which are grooming products said to make a man look better.

8.
The section that discusses the topic of 'Homogenous bodies' touches on the stereotypical depictions of what masculinity is. The ideology that men should be strong, powerful, emotionless, expressionless etc just so that they are successful and wanted.

9.
The magazine offers different views on the topic of masculinity. Some that reinforce traditional views of masculinity and some that subvert them.

10.
I believe that Men's Health is smartly constructed in order to gain a most profitable outcome. The very first page (the front page/cover) suggest a traditional view of masculinity in order to point out insecurities to their male audience members. Then in the next page, the editors letter involves an informal article which in all tells the audience that there are tips within this magazine that can help them break away from these insecurities. Later on, the article of the marathon man acts as one of the first motivating factors for the audiences to have faith in the magazine and its content which would eventually lead to brand loyalty and a increase in amount of audience members through word of mouth. Therefore, I think that Men's Health shows both a negative and a positive view on masculinity.