Introduction & Explanation of Research

     You have to admit, there is definitely a culture created around professional football. To some extent, everyone can relate to the autumnal ritual of the hard-hitting, action-packed, Sunday afternoons where all of the worries of homework and real life are postponed for yet another 4 hours. Tailgating and cheerleaders have become a part of professional football just as much as cleats, helmets, and whistles; a culture that involves the fans just as much as it involves the coaches and players. Such a culture, in fact, is so unique, that other sporting events don't seem to compare. There is a reason that professional football is the most watched season on television, and it has to do with more than just 4th and inches. Professional football has become a tradition, a pastime, for people around the country...

     ...and it's because of this unique culture that I have been interested in examining the portrayal of gender roles during the most watched televised season of the year.

Mission:

     My mission was to carefully deconstruct gender roles as portrayed in commercialized advertisement during professional football games.

Thesis:
     Although modern society likes to deconstruct stereotypical gender roles, televised commercials during professional football games are founded on the classical roles of men and women; a dominant male and a subordinate female.

I chose this topic because of the fact that I enjoy watching professional football. I also wanted to examine the question: "Why is it that while most television advertisements are ignored, the commercials aired during professional football (especially the Superbowl) are often watched intently?"

My research methods included collecting information not only through watching advertisements, but also through various internet sources that would help me to prove my thesis.

The Process Begins...

Posted up in the School of Government, notes are taken and commercials are analyzed...