Melbourne Cup is not a specifically or inherently gendered event, the special weekend will entail extra activities that must be planned, coordinated, and executed with gender issues in mind. This year’s Melbourne Cup carnival celebration is being marketed towards females in overt and covert ways: such as by the use of hot pink typeface and a floral background plus a prominently featured section on style and fashion that uses a female model for the menu item (Melbourne Cup Carnival 2011). Yet it is precisely the gender segregation of the races from the non-race activities that bring gender issues to the forefront. In this critical analysis of the Melbourne Cup main event, the Melbourne Cup carnival, and the non-Cup-related recreational activities scheduled before and during the event, I will draw upon the following three disciplines: gender studies, marketing, and the politics of socio-economic class.
From a gender studies perspective, horse racing can itself become the subject of critical feminist analysis. This analysis encompasses such wide-ranging issues as animal rights, the sexual symbolism of horses, and the cultural connotation and history of horses. More importantly, a feminist perspective investigates the historically male-dominated profession of the jockey. Currently, more than fifty percent of apprentice jockeys are females and numbers are likely to climb (Tolich 1996). The introduction of females to the jockey profession has not necessarily signaled gender equity. Quite the opposite, the introduction of females to the jockey profession has highlighted the gender differentials in the labor market (Tolich 1996). Just as nursing is a “feminized” profession, so too has become the field of professional horse racing jockey (Tolich 1996). Although Chantal Sutherland and other jockeys have gained considerable notoriety regardless of gender, the field itself has become a “secondary labour market,” (Dwyre 2011; Tolich 1996). This should come as no surprise, and yet it signals the entrenched gender issues that continue to plague equality. How to explain the differential labor market to a group of young people involves a strong degree of media literacy. A study of media literacy within a feminist framework also allows us to explore the visible roles and positions females fill. For example, we can point out the scantily clad drinks servers at bars, the portrayal of women in beer advertisements, and the disproportionate numbers of males in the executive boxes.
Gendered labor markets do also tie in with the gendered symbolism that the Melbourne Cup and horse racing in general entail. Horses have been considered symbols of sexuality in medieval European cultures (“The Canterbury Tales: The Reeve’s Tale Symbolism, Imagery & Allegory” 2011). It would be helpful to teach the five young people about the cross-cultural symbolism of horses, and the role horses play in various cultures in order to provide a more holistic perspective of the Melbourne Cup. We could initiate a discussion for the five young people to allow them to share their perspectives of horses and their experiences with them. A feminist perspective permits a fruitful exploration of the nature of horse racing itself as a potentially exploitative event. Horse racing can be viewed within a patriarchal framework, because the races represent the utilitarian use of animals to serve the greedy interests of a patriarchal culture (Donovan 2000).
A marketing perspective is one of the core ways to approach the holiday, and will be a springboard of discussion during the event. The young people should pay close attention to the connection between mass media events and professional sports, noting how products are sold and what imagery is used. Special attention should be paid to the intersection of race, class, and gender.
Shopping will be one of the ways we will explore issues related to gender, marketing, and socio-economic class. The official Melbourne Cup carnival event includes a special section devoted to “season, style, and fashion.” Our young people will notice what products are being marketed, and why. The Melbourne Cup carnival website shows products and fashions that are undoubtedly luxury items that appeal to the upper class white hegemony. For example, extra large wide-brimmed straw hats and other headgear with lavish decorations are of no use to a working class individual, and nor are they affordable. When analyzing the marketing of Melbourne Cup souvenirs, it will be helpful to explore the ethics of product creation by examining where the items were made, and whether or not they represent fairly traded goods. Similarly, the food being sold at the event can be construed in ethical ways, if it is locally sourced and from as many organic vendors as possible.
Outside of the Melbourne Cup itself, a shopping expedition will reveal a wide range of trends that can be critically examined within multiple frameworks. Body image is a subject that will arise, during shopping expeditions, in terms of analyzing the specific body constraints of the jockey industry, but especially when we visit the beach. The beach is a venue in which to explore the intersections between gender, marketing, and socio-economic class.
Moreover, the beach is the venue at which participants reveal their bodies. The beach is a public space, but one that allows people to take off as much clothing if not more so than they do in the private space of the home. The styles of bathing suits worn on the beach and body types are often reflections of cultural norms, fashions, and social class. The connection between socio-economic class and obesity can also be explored. This will allow us to explore body image issues for both men and women. Women are expected to be of a certain body type in order to succeed at the sport of jockeying. In what way are these expectations different from those of the modeling industry? The critical analysis will investigate whether anorexia nervosa and other eating disorders are perpetuated by the media or if they stem from other issues related to patriarchal social norms.
Ethnicity will be a key subject during our weekend, because we will critically analyze the crowd at the Melbourne Cup main event and compare that analysis to other dimensions and arenas such as the beach. The geographic locations at which the event is located, and the beaches and malls we visit, will be analyzed in terms of socio-economic and ethnic demographics. We will also explore age-related issues, by paying close attention to the attendants at each event. The ethnicity of the jockeys at the event, and the role of people of color in service industry positions will be investigated as we participate in different arenas.
The day before the Melbourne Cup will involve a panoply of diverse people from around the country and around the world. Diversity will be a key subject of discussion. We will be able to analyze the role of women in sport, the role of women in marketing, and the body images of women. Women have played a marginal role in most sports, and horse racing is one that offers the potential for gender equity. Yet it is doubtful whether the playing field is truly even or not. The politics of gender, race, and social class are evident in the equestrian traditions, which entail symbols of male dominance and of social class subordination.
References
“The Canterbury Tales: The Reeve’s Tale Symbolism, Imagery & Allegory,” (2011). Schmoop. Retrieved online: http://www.shmoop.com/reeves-tale/symbolism-imagery.html
Donovon, J. (2000). Beyond Animal Rights. Continuum.
Duncan, M.C.; Messner, M.A.; Williams, L.; Jensen, K. & Birrell, S. (1994). Gender stereotyping in televised sports. Women, sport, and culture. 1994 pp. 249-272
Dwyre, B. (2011). A Canadian heads south and makes her mark. Los Angeles Times. April 23, 2011. Retrieved online: http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-dwyre-20110423,0,4403280.column
Koivula, N. (1995). Ratings of gender appropriateness of sports participation: Effects of gender-based schematic processing. Sex Roles 33(7-8).
LeCompte, M. (1993). Cowgirls of the Rodeo. University of Illinois Press.
McEnvoy, J. & McEnvoy, J. (2001). Women in Racing: In their Own Words. Eclipse.
Melbourne Cup Carnival 2011. Website retrieved: http://www.melbournecup.com/melbourne-cup-carnival/
Sherman, Cheyene A., Fuller, R., & Speed, H.D. (2000). Gender Comparisons of Preferred Coaching Behaviors in Australian Sports. Journal of Sport Behavior 23.
Tolich, M. (1996). Negotiated turf: the feminisation of the New Zealand jockey profession. Journal of Sociology 32(2).
Get Professional Assignment Help Cheaply
Are you busy and do not have time to handle your assignment? Are you scared that your paper will not make the grade? Do you have responsibilities that may hinder you from turning in your assignment on time? Are you tired and can barely handle your assignment? Are your grades inconsistent?
Whichever your reason is, it is valid! You can get professional academic help from our service at affordable rates. We have a team of professional academic writers who can handle all your assignments.
Why Choose Our Academic Writing Service?
- Plagiarism free papers
- Timely delivery
- Any deadline
- Skilled, Experienced Native English Writers
- Subject-relevant academic writer
- Adherence to paper instructions
- Ability to tackle bulk assignments
- Reasonable prices
- 24/7 Customer Support
- Get superb grades consistently
Online Academic Help With Different Subjects
Literature
Students barely have time to read. We got you! Have your literature essay or book review written without having the hassle of reading the book. You can get your literature paper custom-written for you by our literature specialists.
Finance
Do you struggle with finance? No need to torture yourself if finance is not your cup of tea. You can order your finance paper from our academic writing service and get 100% original work from competent finance experts.
Computer science
Computer science is a tough subject. Fortunately, our computer science experts are up to the match. No need to stress and have sleepless nights. Our academic writers will tackle all your computer science assignments and deliver them on time. Let us handle all your python, java, ruby, JavaScript, php , C+ assignments!
Psychology
While psychology may be an interesting subject, you may lack sufficient time to handle your assignments. Don’t despair; by using our academic writing service, you can be assured of perfect grades. Moreover, your grades will be consistent.
Engineering
Engineering is quite a demanding subject. Students face a lot of pressure and barely have enough time to do what they love to do. Our academic writing service got you covered! Our engineering specialists follow the paper instructions and ensure timely delivery of the paper.
Nursing
In the nursing course, you may have difficulties with literature reviews, annotated bibliographies, critical essays, and other assignments. Our nursing assignment writers will offer you professional nursing paper help at low prices.
Sociology
Truth be told, sociology papers can be quite exhausting. Our academic writing service relieves you of fatigue, pressure, and stress. You can relax and have peace of mind as our academic writers handle your sociology assignment.
Business
We take pride in having some of the best business writers in the industry. Our business writers have a lot of experience in the field. They are reliable, and you can be assured of a high-grade paper. They are able to handle business papers of any subject, length, deadline, and difficulty!
Statistics
We boast of having some of the most experienced statistics experts in the industry. Our statistics experts have diverse skills, expertise, and knowledge to handle any kind of assignment. They have access to all kinds of software to get your assignment done.
Law
Writing a law essay may prove to be an insurmountable obstacle, especially when you need to know the peculiarities of the legislative framework. Take advantage of our top-notch law specialists and get superb grades and 100% satisfaction.
What discipline/subjects do you deal in?
We have highlighted some of the most popular subjects we handle above. Those are just a tip of the iceberg. We deal in all academic disciplines since our writers are as diverse. They have been drawn from across all disciplines, and orders are assigned to those writers believed to be the best in the field. In a nutshell, there is no task we cannot handle; all you need to do is place your order with us. As long as your instructions are clear, just trust we shall deliver irrespective of the discipline.
Are your writers competent enough to handle my paper?
Our essay writers are graduates with bachelor's, masters, Ph.D., and doctorate degrees in various subjects. The minimum requirement to be an essay writer with our essay writing service is to have a college degree. All our academic writers have a minimum of two years of academic writing. We have a stringent recruitment process to ensure that we get only the most competent essay writers in the industry. We also ensure that the writers are handsomely compensated for their value. The majority of our writers are native English speakers. As such, the fluency of language and grammar is impeccable.
What if I don’t like the paper?
There is a very low likelihood that you won’t like the paper.
Reasons being:
- When assigning your order, we match the paper’s discipline with the writer’s field/specialization. Since all our writers are graduates, we match the paper’s subject with the field the writer studied. For instance, if it’s a nursing paper, only a nursing graduate and writer will handle it. Furthermore, all our writers have academic writing experience and top-notch research skills.
- We have a quality assurance that reviews the paper before it gets to you. As such, we ensure that you get a paper that meets the required standard and will most definitely make the grade.
In the event that you don’t like your paper:
- The writer will revise the paper up to your pleasing. You have unlimited revisions. You simply need to highlight what specifically you don’t like about the paper, and the writer will make the amendments. The paper will be revised until you are satisfied. Revisions are free of charge
- We will have a different writer write the paper from scratch.
- Last resort, if the above does not work, we will refund your money.
Will the professor find out I didn’t write the paper myself?
Not at all. All papers are written from scratch. There is no way your tutor or instructor will realize that you did not write the paper yourself. In fact, we recommend using our assignment help services for consistent results.
What if the paper is plagiarized?
We check all papers for plagiarism before we submit them. We use powerful plagiarism checking software such as SafeAssign, LopesWrite, and Turnitin. We also upload the plagiarism report so that you can review it. We understand that plagiarism is academic suicide. We would not take the risk of submitting plagiarized work and jeopardize your academic journey. Furthermore, we do not sell or use prewritten papers, and each paper is written from scratch.
When will I get my paper?
You determine when you get the paper by setting the deadline when placing the order. All papers are delivered within the deadline. We are well aware that we operate in a time-sensitive industry. As such, we have laid out strategies to ensure that the client receives the paper on time and they never miss the deadline. We understand that papers that are submitted late have some points deducted. We do not want you to miss any points due to late submission. We work on beating deadlines by huge margins in order to ensure that you have ample time to review the paper before you submit it.
Will anyone find out that I used your services?
We have a privacy and confidentiality policy that guides our work. We NEVER share any customer information with third parties. Noone will ever know that you used our assignment help services. It’s only between you and us. We are bound by our policies to protect the customer’s identity and information. All your information, such as your names, phone number, email, order information, and so on, are protected. We have robust security systems that ensure that your data is protected. Hacking our systems is close to impossible, and it has never happened.
How our Assignment Help Service Works
1. Place an order
You fill all the paper instructions in the order form. Make sure you include all the helpful materials so that our academic writers can deliver the perfect paper. It will also help to eliminate unnecessary revisions.
2. Pay for the order
Proceed to pay for the paper so that it can be assigned to one of our expert academic writers. The paper subject is matched with the writer’s area of specialization.
3. Track the progress
You communicate with the writer and know about the progress of the paper. The client can ask the writer for drafts of the paper. The client can upload extra material and include additional instructions from the lecturer. Receive a paper.
4. Download the paper
The paper is sent to your email and uploaded to your personal account. You also get a plagiarism report attached to your paper.
PLACE THIS ORDER OR A SIMILAR ORDER WITH US TODAY AND GET A PERFECT SCORE!!!
