Casey Budgeon Reflective Report

In this Reflective Practice, I will be using the gendered concept “body as event” (Budgeon, 2003) to a gendered media-text, with emphasis on the issue of gender discrimination and biases in society. The Reflective Practice structure includes an introduction and description of the concept, the introduction, background and literature review of the issue, as well as the application of the concept to the media text.

Budgeon defines the concept “body as event” as, “Bodies then can be thought not as objects, upon which culture writes meaning, but as events that are continually in the process of becoming” (2003). What this means is that the body, which has always been viewed as a passive object, is more than just a mere object. Budgeon suggests that

Legler is, “the first woman to sign exclusively as a male model” (Wiseman, 2013). Unlike most people who are either masculine or feminine, Leger identifies as both masculine and feminine (Peason & Cooks, 1995; Woodhill & Samuels, 2003). Standing at 6 foot 2 inches tall, Legler is muscular, with her physique mimicking that of a man, though her voice and personality are soft and gentle, much like a woman’s (Wiseman, 2013). As she identifies with both feminine and masculine traits, Legler can be identified as androgynous. Androgyny, as defined by Woodhill and Samuels, “is thought to be a balanced identity that combines the virtues of both genders” (2003). This goes against society’s dominant view that has always needed to categorise things into binaries, particularly the construct of men/women (Budgeon, 2003). As it is deemed impossible for a human gender to be anything other than male or female, androgyny is considered abnormal, and challenges such constructed

Firstly, Legler’s decision to dress like a man goes against the “sex-appropriate behaviours” practiced by society, which has traditionally taught young boys to wear pants and shorts, while young girls were told to wear dresses and skirts (Osof’sky & Osof’sky, 1972). Secondly, her masculine physique further disassociates her with the feminine body that women have always been linked to (Budgeon, 2003). In addition to that, Legler has also gone against the popular representations set by the media. Legler shows women that it is possible for them to be comfortable in their own skin, without having to resort to drastic measures, such a plastic surgery. More importantly, she shows that it is possible to do so without needing to please anyone other than themselves. However, although she is often viewed as androgynous, Legler stresses that, “I’m not androgynous. There is no ambiguity with me” (Wiseman, 2013). This says much about Legler’s confidence, as although society is still unable to understand and define her, she is able to do so herself, without the need of approval from