What do you think of this research idea looking at Playboy?

Question

Hey everyone,

I am looking for opinions on the research I'm planning to do for my dissertation....do you think this is a good idea or can it be improved in any way?

I want to look at the portrayal of women in lad's mags and in softcore p**n mags, particularly Playboy.

I'm considering taking a feminist research stance and exploring female perceptions and attitudes towards lads mags and softcore p**n mags. I could hold a focus group with a group of females then conduct solo interviews with a number of women (around 10) exploring how they feel about the mags, certain images and articles. For the interviews I may be able to get a hold of some girls who have modelled in or would like to model in lads mags. I could then discuss whether such images of women can be considered empowering or oppressive, offering the different viewpoints of the women. I would also be able to discuss censorship laws, views on pornography, postfeminism, radical feminism, patriarchy, objectification and all kinds of things.

What do you all think? I really, really want to do a good job of my dissertation as I'm sooo close to getting a great overall degree so I will love any help, advice, suggestions for improvements etc. :-) Thanks! xx

Answer 1

I think you have a great idea here. I have only one issue with it and I believe this is where you need to be very careful. You, and it is easy to do, focus on ( not entirely ) the negative issues ie. "I would also be able to discuss censorship laws, views on pornography, postfeminism, radical feminism, patriarchy, objectification and all kinds of things ". It would be interesting, since women do participate in this and it is a billion dollar industry, to see how it " benefits " women.

Answer 2

There is one piece of advice , narrow your research...scientists write the best papers by being specific to one idea, instead of writing about everything that interests them..leave it to the reader to generaise their searching for knowledge-it is your job to provide an elaboration on a exact idea.

Answer 3

Nice......o and  don't tell your group what the study is exactly on because you will get bias answers then....it seem kinda extensive though.... because playboy had so many models.... Pick your Pics carefully and make sure you have a control group...

Answer 4

You idea sounds great! I am done at MA and will not be pursuing PhD and my persuasion is purely clinical, so unfortunately I have no experience in research, but what you got there is something that I as a consumer would be interested to read and incorporate into my work with my clients, so go for it! Good luck!

Answer 5

You could also interview men and contrast the opinions of males and females toward these soft core magazines.