"Šoppamise" sooline representatsioon

Date

2004

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Abstract

Description

The goal of the MA thesis was to describe and analyze the gender dimension of a certain form of consumption called “šoppamine” (to shop and shopping in English). Being part of a larger research initiative that focuses on cultural practices characterizing our society these days (Margit Keller’s Ph.D thesis, Raili Roo’s and Merilin Seepter’s BA thesis’s), this thesis adds an intriguing angle to the existing research material and offers additional opportunities for understanding and critically analyzing Estonian consumer culture. In addition to the research carried out at Tartu University, different theories focusing on consumer society and shopping practices as well as theories on gender form the theoretical basis of the current thesis. The empirical analysis of the thesis is based on consumer interviews and media texts. 70 ad hoc as well as in-depth oral interviews were carried out with consumers in Tallinn and Tartu. In addition to those, 100 print media texts published in years 2002 – 2004 and including the word “šoppamine” or some of its forms are analyzed to get an overview of the concept’s media representations and to compare those to consumers’ opinions. Both quantitative and qualitative research methods were combined in the research, the main theories used were the ones of Miles and Huberman (1994) and Norman Fairclough (1995). The two general hypotheses of the thesis were the following: First, that “šoppamine” is considered to be a feminine practice and connected far more with women than men both in media texts’ representations as well as in consumers’ opinions. Secondly, that media represents more homogeneous picture when it comes to the gender aspect of “šoppamine” while consumers themselves share more heterogeneous point of views and do not see the practice only as a feminine one. The following research questions were formed: 1) how do our consumers see and understand the gender aspect of the discourse of “šoppamine”?; 2) how is “šoppamine” and its gender aspect represented in Estonian print media channels?; 2.1) are women more connected with “šoppamine” than men?; 2.2) what are the explicit and implicit connections dominating between “šoppamine” and gender?; 3) why does the representation and (re)production of “šoppamine” and its gender aspect appear as it does? Summarizing the results of the research one can conclude that both hypotheses were verified – the practice called “šoppamine” really is primarily connected with women more than men both in media as well in people’s minds. But among consumers also an alternative, “equal” mindset is seen reflecting an opinion that both sexes actually do “shop”. Such a representation is not visible in media texts. Analyzing the both texts one found out that consumers have rather ambivalent evaluations towards “šoppamine” – both men and women criticize the practice while the ones positively minded are mostly women. The same tendency can be seen in media – opinions and evaluations vary from very positive, encouraging and even heroic discourse to critical and condemnatory. Tabloid media is logically more positive towards “šoppamine” while daily and weekly papers focused on “harder” news reflect more critical views. As the thesis focuses on gender aspect, the ideas about the content and purposes of “šoppamine” are important. Based on research one can claim that those ideas differ when comparing consumers and media representations. Both parties agree the practice includes hedonistic, pleasurable and fun sides; also that it is mostly oriented to everything that’s external. People say “šoppama” when they buy clothes or shoes but they do not say it when buying food for example. The abovementioned difference between media and consumers’ views appears when interpreting “šoppamine” as an activity focused to mainly watching (process-oriented) or mainly buying (result- oriented). In media, the latter dominates while consumers interpret “šoppamine” mainly as walking-watching-choosing and after that maybe buying. That kind of concept is more about spending time and less about spending money; different from the one that media represents - in media “šoppamine” is often presented via buying (a lot). In connection to that it also arises topics about exaggeration and extremes when it comes to the practice. Dependency, craziness, emotionality and lose of control are some of the keywords that often “pop up” in media texts in connection with “šoppamine” and women. But the consumers interviewed like to describe themselves as much more reasonable and thrifty than the media image. The self-image of critical and rational, somewhat “enlightened” consumer is very usual when it comes to men; by important others women are more connected with emotions, impulses, also credulity and influenceability. Women themselves more or less agree with those rather stereotypical opinions but still do not think that extreme, maniac forms of “šoppamine” are of a real danger for them or for Estonian society in general. Summarizing the social aspect of “šoppamine” one can say that the practice is mostly directed to others. Men almost always like to go shopping with others, families or friends while women sometimes prefer to do it alone, “taking their own time and doing their own things”. That marks a procreative aspect of “šoppamine” specially important for female consumers. One can conclude that “šoppamine” in modern Estonian consumer society no doubt is a feminine practice although it always doesn’t have to be a practice carried out by women – many “new age” men may do it as well as they are not afraid of feminine connotations that might arise. And even if there are widespread views about “šoppamine” as hedonistic, egoistic and trivial activity, the practice still offers several resources for women as well as men to carry out their individual and social life projects.

Keywords

H Social Sciences (General), magistritööd

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