To what extent is human identity increasingly mediated

The possession of qualities that men exert is often scrutinised by the media which has in turn altered the way that male identity is mediated. It is evident throughout different media platflorms as to how men are wanted to be perceived. Looking closely at three different medias- magazine, film and social media I was able to draw several conclusions as to how men have been increasingly mediated.

Men’s health magazine is a magazine that employs masculinity at its highest and has constructed the ideology of men which is in most cases unattainable. The front cover tends to feature a well know male figure who emits wealth and power which feeds into his appearance. The images tend to be photo shopped and the lighting is strategically placed to highlight muscles symbolising strength and power. The male audience admire the cover man who appears to be the epitome of masculinity thus making the reader want to attain a similar identity. More often than not the cover man will be hetrosexual and the cover lines and tag lines will all slant towards hetrosexual ideals. There is a complete lack of cover men with disabilities featured on the cover of the magazine which once again points to the ideals of how men should be mediated as strong, powerful and fully able individuals whom reader would strive to be like, as the cover man attracts the readers to buy the magazine because they want to achieve a similar identity. Although the media  has ways of ‘injecting’ ideals into the audience as suggested by the hypodermic needle theory, david Gaunlett states otherwise suggesting “The medias suggestions may be seductive but can never simply overpower contray feelings in the audience.” Therefore the audience process and interpret what the media relays in their own understanding yet there is an element of believe what the media says. It can be seen through alternative groups such as goths and punk who do not follow the media’s ideals for men. These social groups, which become more and more popular rebel against the norm therefore it is evident in some cases the media doesn’t project their ideals onto every male.

The British television drama 'The Night Manager' conveys ideological views of how men should be perceived through fiction, therefore it is a constructed idea of men that is being relayed to the audience manipulating the way they perceive males. Richard Roper is portrayed as wealthy, therefore exhibits strength and power, like Men's health creating a unattainable identity.Roper the wealthiest and most powerful man can be seen at the top of the social hierarchy with the other male characters out-shined by the power he holds. The social hierarchy allows Roper to abuse his social status and be a figure to be feared. Much like Men's Health Magazine the audience view Roper as a character with an unattainable identity due to his wealth and influence within society. The male characters falunt their wealth by having lavish, houses, props and bodyguards this could perhaps link to trying to have control over the female characters by using their wealth as a method of control.