In class today we spoke briefly about the future of the next generation of women. It was suggested that women like Beyonce and Lady Gaga are doing a fair amount of psyche-shaping in the youth of today, and that their videos have deeper effects on those who have not yet decided who they wish to be. This means that these women have more responsibility as role models so that the next generation doesn't grow up to be something, well, less than productive to the feminist movement.
The problem with this, however, is that we are not allowing the next generation any volition of their own, any ability to listen and not come to their own conclusions. By this logic, we would all be products of (arguably) the biggest icon of our formative years: Britney Spears.
"I'm A Slave 4 U" came out in 2001, during the height of my middle school years, a time when many kids are searching for performances of gender outside of their family. While this song is offensive on so many levels, it is catchy, and, to the middle school eye, it appears that Britney has some power over her own sexuality (although the lyrics would suggest otherwise). Britney's antics certainly didn't begin or end with this song, but I think it's a great representation of female role models that supposedly shaped our psyches.
How much influence do we really believe these performers have on us? Is the next generation better off because of the changing face of performers, or are they harmed more by a watered-down, skewed version of feminism?
Great post Caitlyn! The media has enormous influence and power on society because for some reason their is this notion that everything on TV is a fact and almost like the words of God. Your post reminded me of two pictures (I posted them bellow) I have seen circulating some time on Facebook that go along the lines of "Fuck this I'll just be a stripper." It really saddens me that we don't have enough women role models! It's a huge dilemma!! I was telling Professor J about the fact that I don't feel like I have a role model and specifically a female role model. This is probably because as a society we value beauty way more than knowledge. So when Angelina Jolie is acting in movies and showing her beauty her fame peaks but when she decides to work with the UN way more than anything in entertainment her contributions are suddenly not that highlighted and instead meagan fox is featured almost naked. It's really concerning honestly.
Caitlyn, this is a really great post! As a girl who listened to Britney Spears nonstop growing up, it is very interesting for me to take a step back and think about what I was really saying while I was singing along to the lyrics. Most girls our age not only know Britney’s greatest hits but also the choreography to the music videos. I remember being in dance class when Britney Spears first hit the scene and warming up to her songs singing about how she was “not that innocent..” You picked a great video to post because even someone who doesn’t know the lyrics would be intrigued by the title of the song alone. It is no secret that kids everywhere sing along to the songs without wondering what they really mean. Now, I’m wondering what the implications of singing “I cannot control it, I’m a slave for you.” Even out of context it is clear that Britney and every person singing along is putting themselves in the position of someone who is overpowered by a man. With today’s performers shifting to new realms, it is interesting and also slightly terrifying to see what is coming next. One thing I know for sure is even though I may not agree with the meaning of the lyrics, I can’t get them out of my head. The danger of that alone deserves recognition. These songs infiltrate our minds without us even realizing.
Each time Professor J reminds us how important it is to analyze pop culture, I overwhelmingly agree. While I grew up listening to songs such as "I'm A Slave 4 U," I certainly wasn't thinking about any meaning beyond what Britney was singing. Instead I sang along without any real digestion of the lyrics. As we've analyzed songs this week and reflected on their effects on the girls listening to them, I keep thinking that usually girls aren't listening to these songs for enlightenment. It's entertainment. Even if there is a feminist message deep in the analysis of lyrics, I don't think anyone hears that message except for academics capable of thinking about gender empowerment and music this way. Until pop stars abandon the male expectations of women: unattainable beauty, focusing on boys, and downplaying intellect, there won't be much revolution in the ways young girls seem themselves and women as a population.
Great post Caitlyn! The media has enormous influence and power on society because for some reason their is this notion that everything on TV is a fact and almost like the words of God. Your post reminded me of two pictures (I posted them bellow) I have seen circulating some time on Facebook that go along the lines of "Fuck this I'll just be a stripper." It really saddens me that we don't have enough women role models! It's a huge dilemma!! I was telling Professor J about the fact that I don't feel like I have a role model and specifically a female role model. This is probably because as a society we value beauty way more than knowledge. So when Angelina Jolie is acting in movies and showing her beauty her fame peaks but when she decides to work with the UN way more than anything in entertainment her contributions are suddenly not that highlighted and instead meagan fox is featured almost naked. It's really concerning honestly.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.google.com/imgres?q=fuck+this+I%27m+gonna+be+a+stripper&um=1&hl=en&safe=off&client=safari&sa=N&rls=en&biw=1279&bih=610&tbm=isch&tbnid=h9tyg2XFVh3HgM:&imgrefurl=http://imagemacros.wordpress.com/2009/06/23/stripper/&docid=mgyjh1EOQMYpQM&imgurl=http://imagemacros.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/stripper-lrg.jpg%253Fw%253D720&w=446&h=445&ei=hRNHT83VEYvrggfs2JGmDg&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=349&vpy=132&dur=2693&hovh=224&hovw=225&tx=83&ty=174&sig=103108471617928570080&page=1&tbnh=130&tbnw=130&start=0&ndsp=21&ved=1t:429,r:2,s:0
http://www.google.com/imgres?q=fuck+this+I%27m+gonna+be+a+stripper&um=1&hl=en&safe=off&client=safari&sa=N&rls=en&biw=1279&bih=610&tbm=isch&tbnid=RFfeDDs0dx3XcM:&imgrefurl=http://freethoughtblogs.com/xblog/2011/10/09/girls-cant-do-math/&docid=mWuK4ooJcVbp1M&imgurl=http://freethoughtblogs.com/xblog/files/2011/10/Screw_This_Shit_Ill_be_a_stripper.jpg&w=500&h=409&ei=hRNHT83VEYvrggfs2JGmDg&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=575&sig=103108471617928570080&page=1&tbnh=130&tbnw=159&start=0&ndsp=21&ved=1t:429,r:3,s:0&tx=142&ty=103
Caitlyn, this is a really great post! As a girl who listened to Britney Spears nonstop growing up, it is very interesting for me to take a step back and think about what I was really saying while I was singing along to the lyrics. Most girls our age not only know Britney’s greatest hits but also the choreography to the music videos. I remember being in dance class when Britney Spears first hit the scene and warming up to her songs singing about how she was “not that innocent..” You picked a great video to post because even someone who doesn’t know the lyrics would be intrigued by the title of the song alone. It is no secret that kids everywhere sing along to the songs without wondering what they really mean. Now, I’m wondering what the implications of singing “I cannot control it, I’m a slave for you.” Even out of context it is clear that Britney and every person singing along is putting themselves in the position of someone who is overpowered by a man. With today’s performers shifting to new realms, it is interesting and also slightly terrifying to see what is coming next. One thing I know for sure is even though I may not agree with the meaning of the lyrics, I can’t get them out of my head. The danger of that alone deserves recognition. These songs infiltrate our minds without us even realizing.
ReplyDeleteEach time Professor J reminds us how important it is to analyze pop culture, I overwhelmingly agree. While I grew up listening to songs such as "I'm A Slave 4 U," I certainly wasn't thinking about any meaning beyond what Britney was singing. Instead I sang along without any real digestion of the lyrics. As we've analyzed songs this week and reflected on their effects on the girls listening to them, I keep thinking that usually girls aren't listening to these songs for enlightenment. It's entertainment. Even if there is a feminist message deep in the analysis of lyrics, I don't think anyone hears that message except for academics capable of thinking about gender empowerment and music this way. Until pop stars abandon the male expectations of women: unattainable beauty, focusing on boys, and downplaying intellect, there won't be much revolution in the ways young girls seem themselves and women as a population.
ReplyDelete