Gender and Sexuality Studies

Abstract

Since its release in July 2023, the movie Barbie generated billions in profit1. The keen interest for Greta Gerwig's creation is undeniable2. Some argue that the movie offers subversive representations of masculinity through one of the main characters, Ken3. Our study explores Barbie's representations of masculinity through a qualitative case study approach. To our knowledge, no study investigated this matter. The movie has been selected for its exemplarity and its potential of shaping masculinity. It has indeed been demonstrated on several occasions that Barbie's universe has an effect on individual and collective subjectivities4, 5, 6, 7, 8. A reflexive thematic analysis has been conducted based on the hegemonic masculinity conception of Connell9. The analysis has been validated through an interjudge agreement. Results show that male characters have an inauthentic and egoistic presentation of themselves, competitive interactions between men and unequal relationships with women filled with mansplaining. Therefore, the film has multiple representations of traditional masculinity which is part of hegemonic masculinity. Masculinity’s representations in the movie replicate indeed many Western stereotypes and gendered norms10. In sum, the film showed little subversion in its masculinities' expression. However, our analysis did not consider the movie’s use of irony. Future research could furthermore investigate the public reception towards Barbie the movie to see if the satire has been well understood.
Key words: Masculinities, hegemonic masculinity, Barbie, Ken, media representations, patriarchy.

References
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Biography

Marielle Hajjar, graduate student, Department of Sexology, University of Quebec in Montreal. Research interests: immigration, sex education.