Sean Hall

MASCULINITY AND AUTHENTICITY ANALYSIS

THESIS

• Through a textual analysis of the September issues of Game Informer, Mens Health, and Esquire, the progression of the male role in society will be examined with two key themes in mind- masculinity and authenticity. The advertisements in the three magazines will be analyzed sequentially, in order to follow the progression of age and how the advertisements-and their portrayals of masculinity and authenticity- change as a result.

• Game Informer:

• Total Audience- 8,165,321

• 88% Male

• 64% are 18-34

• Median Age-22

• 73% single

• Esquire

• Total Audience- 2,790,000

• 72.1% Men

• 68.4% 35+

• Median Age- 44.6

• 43.2% Married

MEDIA KITS• Men’s Health

• Total Audience- 12,473,000

• 83.5% Men

• Median Age- 37.4

• 49% Married

MASCULINITY AND AUTHENTICITY • 55% of advertisements (and reviews)

in Game Informer are based on a violent male based video game

• 49% of advertisements in Men”s Health depict a young, athletic, and built man

• Over 77% of Esquire advertisements include signifiers of extravagant wealth and/or situations of grandeur