21 October 2010: Page 386 Directed Freewrite

Female Sexuality in Pop Culture

Throughout time, women have been second to men. This has been manifested continually in literature, politics, and a myriad of other things. Although as a society, we have progressed and evolved over time with this issue, women are still viewed as objects and not as equals to men. We see this profoundly illustrated today in pop culture music.

Some critics would argue that women “find both affirmation and power in the fear that their sexuality creates in men” (Lipsitz 378). However, the people saying this are men. Other critics would argue that women should find freedom in the fact that they are no longer being denied of their sexuality, “. . . sexual topics in dance-hall lyrics provide an alternative to the denial of women’s sexuality in most popular music” (378). They view that this type of music is a better alternative to other music, music that demonizes women. A critic by the name of Cooper goes as far to say that “. . . sex –affirmative songs by women in dancehall music need to be understood as a reaction against the masculinist . . .” (379).

Many members of communities where this type of music is popular, find it to be “irredeemable sexist” (378) and downright embarrassing to their communities. This type of misogyny is counterproductive of the point that critics are trying to make. Women who demonstrate their sexuality through music do it only for the pleasure of men and this type of music is produced for that purpose. It is not for women to express themselves; it is for the men with them to enjoy. It is said that “One manifestation of the misogyny exacerbated by new social relations comes through the symbolic value given to male perspectives in immigrant music” (380). It is about how men view women. It is about how men view women viewing themselves. There is no female perspective which ultimately is complexly misogynistic.

I am not a feminist and I feel often times too many people are. However, with certain things, such a pop culture, I find a clear demonstration of the objectification of women by men. Critics say multitudinous positive things about what this music does for women, but I feel for the most part it is not because they actually believe it. It is although they are trying to be politically correct, and say this regardless of their actual standpoint. Women have made great progress over time, but there is still room for more.