The idea of the “male gaze” might sound like something complicated, but once you start noticing it, it’s honestly everywhere. The term basically means that a lot of movies, ads, and even social media posts are created from a straight male point of view. This doesn’t mean every director or advertiser is doing it on purpose—it’s just a pattern that has been repeated for so long that it feels normal. But when you look closely, you start to see how often women are shown mainly as something to look at instead of as real characters.
Take action movies, for example. The male hero usually gets to wear practical clothes and focus on the actual plot—saving the world, fighting villains, or whatever the mission is. But the female character? Even if she’s running for her life, she somehow manages to have perfect hair, tight clothing, and makeup that never smudges. On top of that, the camera often focuses on her body in slow, lingering shots. It almost feels like the movie wants the audience to admire her appearance more than her actions. This is a clear example of the male gaze at work.
Another really common example shows up in car commercials. You’ve probably seen a super shiny sports car with a model in a revealing outfit posing right next to it. The woman has basically nothing to do with the car’s performance, yet she becomes part of the advertisement. This happens because companies often assume their main audience is men, so they use a woman’s body to grab attention. As a result, the female model becomes more like a “decoration” than a real person.
These patterns aren’t harmless—they influence how people think about gender. When women are constantly shown as objects to be looked at, it can make some women feel like they always have to look perfect or “camera ready.” It also teaches viewers, without them realizing it, that women’s looks matter more than their voices or abilities. This doesn’t mean women can’t enjoy looking good or expressing themselves. It just means that the media often pushes one very narrow idea of what women are supposed to be.
Understanding the male gaze isn’t about blaming anyone for liking certain movies or styles. It’s more about becoming aware of how these patterns shape the way we see people. When filmmakers and creators with different backgrounds get involved, we start to see more realistic and varied portrayals of women—ones where they are full characters instead of just visual add-ons. The more we notice these patterns, the easier it becomes to support media that treats everyone like real, complex human beings.
References
Mulvey, L. (1975). Visual pleasure and narrative cinema. Screen, 16(3), 6–18.
Berger, J. (1972). Ways of seeing. London: Penguin Books.
Gill, R. (2007). Gender and the media. Cambridge: Polity Press.
Beautifully clear and compelling. You translate a complex concept into an everyday lens without diluting its nuance, defining the male gaze in plain language and then showing it through vivid, relatable examples. The action-film and car-ad sections are especially strong: they spotlight how camera focus, styling, and framing assign value, turning theory into something we can’t unsee. I also love your balanced tone—no blame, just sharp observation—and the way you trace real consequences for identity, visibility, and self-worth. Your closing emphasis on diverse creators and more humane storytelling lands powerfully, leaving readers informed, empowered, and eager to watch more critically.
I think your blog explains the idea of the male gaze in a very clear and relatable way. The examples from action movies and car commercials make the concept easy to understand, especially the way you show how women are often presented more as visuals than as full characters. It helps readers notice patterns in media that they may not have thought about before.
You also did a good job showing why these portrayals matter in real life, such as influencing how women feel about their appearance or how society values them. One small suggestion is to include an example of media that avoids the male gaze, so readers can see what more balanced representation looks like.