A Level Sociology Education AQA Practice Exam

What concept involves the way males assess girls based on appearance?

1. Gender perception

2. The male gaze

3. Patriarchal oversight

4. Objectification theory

The correct answer is: The male gaze

The male gaze refers specifically to the way in which men observe and evaluate women, often focusing primarily on physical appearance. This concept emerges from feminist film theory, notably introduced by Laura Mulvey, who argued that visual media often depict women as objects of male pleasure, positioning them within a framework dominated by male perspectives. In contexts such as education, the male gaze can lead to the sexualization of girls as they are assessed and valued based on how they look rather than their capabilities or intellect. This perspective highlights the power dynamics at play when males engage with females, reinforcing societal standards and expectations surrounding beauty and femininity. The other options, while related to gender studies and societal views on gender, do not encapsulate the specific focus on how males assess females in terms of appearance as effectively as the concept of the male gaze. Gender perception is broader and may not specifically denote appearance. Patriarchal oversight denotes a systemic structure of male dominance but does not focus on the act of observation. Objectification theory pertains to treating individuals as objects, which is related but doesn’t emphasize the act of gazing or the evaluative nature of male assessments specifically.