He‟s so Dreamy, She‟s so Beautiful: Celebrities, the Representation of (Pre-)Adolescent Femininity in M, and Self-perception by Jennifer Ann Elizabeth Campbell Bachelor of Applied Journalism, Honours, Kwantlen University College, 2004 A Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of MASTER OF ARTS in the Department of Sociology Jennifer Ann Elizabeth Campbell, 2008 University of Victoria All rights reserved. This thesis may not be reproduced in whole or in part, by photocopy or other means, without the permission of the author. ii Supervisory Page He‟s so Dreamy, She‟s so Beautiful: Celebrities, the Representation of (Pre-)Adolescent Femininity in M, and Self-perception by Jennifer Ann Elizabeth Campbell Bachelor of Applied Journalism, Honours, Kwantlen University College, 2004 Supervisory Committee Dr. Helga Hallgrimsdottir, Supervisor (Department of Sociology) Dr. Cecilia Benoit, Departmental Committee Member (Department of Sociology) Dr. Margo Matwychuk, Committee Member (Department of Anthropology) iii Supervisory Committee Dr. Helga Hallgrimsdottir, Supervisor (Department of Sociology) Dr. Cecilia Benoit, Departmental Committee Member (Department of Sociology) Dr. Margo Matwychuk, Committee Member (Department of Anthropology) Abstract In this thesis, I critique the representation of pre-adolescent and teen femininity in M and the influence of the teen fan genre on identity development. This discussion revolves around a social semiotic analysis of four texts and two sub-texts, and a social semiotic auto-ethnographic exploration of my experience as a reader of teen fan publications. Among the texts, a feminine identity is represented through eight interlocking semiotic themes: fashion and beauty, celebrity idolization, entertainment, consumerism, heterosexuality/romance, friendship, celebrity as occupation, and affluent lifestyle. My research findings show that the portrayal of femininity in M is a narrow and unrealistic ideal. Conveyed through celebrity worship, femininity is a highly (hetero)sexualized, racialized, thin, able-bodied, affluent, mass-mediated, and (self-)commodified ideal that perpetuates age ambiguity As the discussion of my adolescence shows, the representation of femininity in the teen fan genre can thwart creativity and contribute to a negative self-concept. Finally, teen fan magazines were important in assisting in the creation of a (pre-)adolescent feminine self, but it was only one institution in which my identity formed. My self-concept emerged from social regulation via the interconnected relationship among teen fan magazines, mall and school cultures, and family. iv Table of Contents Supervisory Page............................................................................................................... ii Abstract............................................................................................................................. iii Table of Contents ............................................................................................................. iv List of Figures................................................................................................................... vi Acknowledgments ........................................................................................................... vii Dedication ....................................................................................................................... viii Chapter 1: Introduction ................................................................................................... 1 Introduction ......................................................................................................... 1 Youth, the Teen Fan Genre, the Youth Market and Identity Development........ 2 The Teen Fan Genre and Celebrity Idolization................................................... 4 The Portrayal of Femininity in M, Self Image, Social Semiotics and Theory .... 4 Organization of Thesis ........................................................................................ 5 Chapter 2: Literature Overview ...................................................................................... 6 Introduction ......................................................................................................... 6 Early Criticism of Mass Media Consumption and Content ................................ 7 Second Wave Feminist Critique of the Depiction of Femininity in Media ........ 9 Second Wave Feminist Impression: Youth Culture and Media Studies ........... 12 Pop Goes Feminism: Marketing A New Wave – err Brand – of Feminism .... 13 Not so Different: The Perpetuation of Beauty, Sexuality, and Consumption... 16 Slaves to Capitalism?: Girl Culture and the Youth Market .............................. 20 Reproducing Patriarchy..................................................................................... 22 Celebrity Idolization and Body Image .............................................................. 22 Summary ........................................................................................................... 23 Chapter 3: Method.......................................................................................................... 25 Introduction ....................................................................................................... 25 Re-thinking Social Semiotics: Theo Van Leeuwen‟s Social Semiotics ........... 25 Data Selection Procedure .................................................................................. 27 Data Collection Process .................................................................................... 29 Data Analysis Framework................................................................................. 30 Data Analysis Process ....................................................................................... 32 The Impact of Perspective on the Research Process......................................... 34 v Summary ........................................................................................................... 39 Chapter 4: Data Analysis ............................................................................................... 40 Introduction ....................................................................................................... 40 Magazine Analysis ............................................................................................ 40 Ad with Sidebar: Temporary Tattoos and Sexualized Femininity................ 40 Article: Male Pop Stars as Idols of Romantic Love ..................................... 46 Column with sidebar: Pop Culture and Pop Stars at the Beach .................... 49 Photo: Female Pop Star Modeling Black Femininity ................................... 55 Self-Reflection .................................................................................................. 59 Consuming Mass Media, Idolizing Pop Stars and Identity Development .... 59 Summary ........................................................................................................... 74 Chapter 5: Discussion ..................................................................................................... 75 Introduction ....................................................................................................... 75 The Representation of Pre-Adolescent and Teen Femininity in M................... 75 Mass Media Consumption ................................................................................ 76 Celebrity Idolization ......................................................................................... 77 Celebrity as Occupation .................................................................................... 77 Fashion and Beauty ........................................................................................... 78 (Hetero)Sexuality/Romance.............................................................................. 81 Friendship.......................................................................................................... 83 Consumerism .................................................................................................... 84 Affluent Lifestyle .............................................................................................. 86 The Teen Fan Genre and Identity Development ............................................... 88 Summary ........................................................................................................... 90 Chapter 6: Conclusion .................................................................................................... 92 Introduction ....................................................................................................... 92 Femininity in M: Social Semiotics and Mass Media ........................................ 92 Limitations ........................................................................................................ 93 Femininity and Girls ......................................................................................... 95 Future Research................................................................................................. 95 References ........................................................................................................................ 99 Appendix A: Overview of M ........................................................................................ 121 Appendix B: Celebrity Biographies