From Androcentrism to Gynocentrism: Gender Power Transformation in the Barbie Film Narrative

Abstract

This study examines the ideological contestation between androcentrism and gynocentrism in the Barbie (2023) film, focusing on how the film explicitly promotes female superiority over male characters. This research addresses the critical need to understand how contemporary popular media challenges traditional gender hierarchies and constructs gynocentric alternatives to patriarchal structures, reflecting significant shifts in mainstream cinema's approach to gender representation. Using qualitative content analysis, this research systematically analyzes narrative structures, character development, visual symbolism, and dialogue patterns through detailed film examination and thematic categorization. The findings reveal three key manifestations of gynocentric bias: the systematic portrayal of qualified women versus unqualified men through professional roles and leadership capabilities, the strategic use of pink versus dark color symbolism to represent effective female governance against dysfunctional male leadership, and the stark contrast in determination and goal achievement success between female and male characters. The research demonstrates that the Barbie film serves as a clear example of contemporary cinema's explicit promotion of gynocentric perspectives while systematically undermining androcentric values, representing a significant transformation in how mainstream media constructs gender power dynamics.