Confession, surveillance and subjectivity : a discourse analytic approach to advice columns

This dissertation applies the theoretical ideas of Michel Foucault -viz. confession, surveillance and subjectivity - to advice columns from three South African women's magazines. An interpretative analysis effects of discourse, renders salient the relationship between knowledges, discursive practices, power and institutions. Using, as a standing point, Wendy Hollway's work on subject positioning of women in discourses concerning heterosexual relationship practice, the ways in which women are impelled to ""work"" in psychologized and medicalized ways to effect normalization in ""crises"" of ""physical attractiveness"" and ""monogamy"" are examined in advice texts. These technologies and practices produce rewards of power for Subjection, and these powers are critically discussed in terms of (a) ""liberal"" / ""humanist"", ''feminist'' and ""Foucauldian"" strategies of women's empowerment, and (b) the formal dynamics and constraints of advice columns.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Department of Psychology

Year dc:date.issued

1994

Author dc:creator

• Wilbraham, Lindy Anne

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Levett, Ann

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/7858

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/7858