It seems that music videos have always presented sexual images. For example, it is difficult to forget the semi-naked women who accompanied 1980s rock bands in their videos that were shown all over the world. But lately it seems that sexual images are used by both men and women: female singers are increasingly presenting themselves with less clothing and sexier dance moves.
In her article "How pop became porn", Liz Jones talks about pop star Shakira's latest video for her song "She Wolf", in which the singer appears in her most sexually explicit video so far, almost naked and dancing very provocatively inside a cage. She writes with concern: "The images can be seen in the video for her single, She Wolf, which will be watched obsessively, again and again, by thousands of young men and women, many of whom will form the opinion that writhing in a cage is precisely the way 'sexy' women should behave."
Shakira is a very interesting case. She started her career in her native Colombia, writing songs written by herself and playing the guitar. Over the years, as she has become better known internationally, she has undergone a transformation, changing her appearance and her musical style, and making sexier videos. Jones writes: "When I asked Shakira, the Latin American superstar, how she can square being sexy, wearing skimpy clothes, with her charitable work championing children in the developing world, she replied indignantly: 'Of course I can square it! I think my image is one of being powerful, in control.'"
Shakira is not the only female pop star doing this kind of videos, and this raises some questions: Are over-sexualized images of female singers really empowering women? Or are the images of semi-naked women in cages or crawling on the floor perpetuating old stereotypes of women as submissive sexual objects? Considering how often these type of videos are seen by people of all ages in many countries, the answers to these questions are extremely relevant.
To read the full article, including information about the initiative in the U.K. to ban sexually explicit videos before 9 p.m., click here:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1254145/LIZ-JONES-How-pop-porn.html
This article really appeals to me because I’m a pretty big advocate for getting people to understand how much shit (especially on MTV) is found in pop culture. It is still hard for me to believe that a show like “Jersey Shore” is the highest rated show in the history of MTV. What does this say about us as a society? Or better yet, what does this say about the primary demographic target of this show - 15-25 yr. olds? How is exposure to media like this likely to influence the behavior or belief system of those who watch it? Do high levels of exposure to content that degrades women and empowers men change the way we look at the status of men and women in real life?
Here is an interesting thought: There is a lot of research being done now looking at the effects of violent video games or violent media exposure on aggressive behavior. There is some disagreement about this in this realm of research, but there is evidence showing that higher levels of exposure to violent media is likely to be accommodated by higher levels of aggressive behavior or tendencies. This research is highly based on social learning theory, from my understanding at least…..So how is other media any different than this? Based off of some of the findings from violent media research, wouldn’t you expect a young girl exposed to a high level of “pop culture media” to base their conception of “sexy” or “what it takes to be sexy” AT LEAST partially on media influence? And if you ask me, we can make these judgments about sexy (just as an example) whether we agree with what we are exposed to or not. You can say the same thing about several other controversial issues on television, radio, and the internet. Individuals from an older population might be less susceptible to these media influences, but children and adolescences seem to be at a particularly higher risk. This is due to not only the fact that they are younger and less experience, but (as the articles mentions) younger people are spending far more time in front of the television, on the internet, ipods, iphones, and playing video games than any other demographic. So what kind of perception of the world are people going to have in 20 or 30 years compared to today? With the freedom the media has in this country, would you expect stereotypes of specific groups ever to be eliminated (or at least close to eliminated) when what people see and hear on TV or the internet only perpetuates many of those stereotypes, thus highlighting between-group differences and ignoring between-group similarities?
So this is my rant on how the media is f’ing people up. I’m not saying we need to have more control over what gets put on TV or the internet; I just think that consumers need to have a better understanding of how reality is separate from the “reality” on screen. I would expect that somewhere down the line, there will be some sort of public service announcement type of thing promoting awareness of the influence of specific programming on human behavior.
I couldn't agree more with Ryan. It is ridiculous how much garbage there is in the media. I always felt that I was getting too old, or even worse: more conservative (chills went through my spine just saying that) when lecturing my 18 year old brother about how MTV shows such as Jersey Shore or the Real World do nothing but degrade women and show us everything that is wrong with society.
Going along with what Ryan is saying about the research of media and violence, I recall learning about how watching pornography increases the acceptance of violence against women, along with greater acceptance of rape myths. Rape myths include ideas such as: "she deserved to get raped because she was wearing sexy cloths" or "she was raped because she was probably being flirtatious".
I fail to understand how women such as Shakira, models, and other celebrities equate dressing/dancing/acting/singing provocatively with being powerful women. It is absolutely asinine to me. Do they honestly think that by prancing around in skimpy clothing or no clothing at all is going to get respect from men and women? What message does this send to young women? Be powerful women by degrading yourself? I just don't get it...
To comment on what Elizabeth and Dan said there is a lot of garbage in the media. There probably is a kernel of truth behind these articles you guys have been reading, but I have been looking at this issue from a different stand point. Say your the pop artist walking around in the skimpy clothing such as Shakira or whomever it may be. Depending on what you are singing or doing, your success in pop, R&B, Hip HOP, Rap, or even movies has a lot to do with sex and portraying negative behaviors. I'm sure you can find research that shows people in general want to see something that exposes negative behaviors. The music and movie industry are multi billion dollar industries because of what people want to see. Getting back on the music subject, Lets take Shakira for example, we all know that she really cant sing all that well ,but she is a grand master at moving her hips which is really why shes famous. KEEP IT REAL!! If she got up there looking like a down home church girl, standing still, nobody would come to her concerts let alone buy her music. I don't want to speak for her but I'm sure she wants to sell records and sell out concerts to stay a float in the music industry. To get grammys you have to sell lots of albums and with the style of music she sings sex plays a major role. She knows that she has to put something on that shows some skin to get peoples attention. I don't think she is focusing on how people are viewing her more than how many millions she is making. Yea this maybe a selfish act by not thinking about how women are portrayed,but Im sure she worked hard to get where she wanted to be in music and she knows what has to happen for her to stay at the top.
This goes for rappers to like they want to sell albums so they talk about killing people, hoes, bling bling, cars, snd other things that people want to hear. Also they put sexy women in their videos because that attracts attention and it helps their ratings. I know a girl that is in a rapper named Pete Pablo's video Freak a Leak. I was talking to her about the way women are being downgraded through the media one day and she told me that she danced in the video to pay for college. She didn't have to get naked or anything she just had to shake her booty a little bit. She wasn't thinking about how people perceived her, nor making a impact on society rather she was thinking about graduating from college with a degree in biology. Most people would think that she is a hoe, slut, or something but she is actually a respectable, intelligent, goal oriented person. This is also just doing business. Shes not going to sleep with them after the video she was just there to make her money and go about her business. I said that to say making money in the POP, R&B, Rap industry involves sex. If you want to portray yourself in a good image sing gospel or something. There's nothing wrong with that , but everybody doesn't have the vocal ability, the anointing, nor the resources to sing gospel. Also you won't make as much money singing gospel as you would singing in other areas.
Looking at this issue it is a hard thing to compare or fix. The media is playing an enormous role in how the entertainment industry is turning out. I don't deny that one bit but coming from the artists perspective do you focus on your image and what people think about you? or do you adapt to the environment and give people what they want and make millions in the process? Yeah this stuff in the media is effecting our young people but its such an arduous task fix it. If the media was made all positive, A LOT OF PEOPLE WOULD BE WITHOUT A JOB. The movie industry would fall to the ground along with the music industry. It could also have a effect on the economy as well. I think it would be easier just to have awareness's and shows that promote positive role models so children can see the difference between the two. I said all this to say that your not going to be able to change sex in the media. This is the direction in which its going in fact I see it getting worse. Parents just have to do a better job promoting positive images, restricting what their children interact with, educating and explaining these issues to them so it allows them to see positive and negative images.
Lets see where to start, over the past 18 years the image that is women have in the music industry has changed if you think back it started with Madonna with her song "like a virgin" and her over sexual demands such as she did with the "blond ambition" tour and her "truth and dare" movie. Cristian Aguilar "dirty" song, Lil Kim "how many licks", TLC "Red Light Special" or one that empowers women such as TlC "Unpretty", Maxwell "This Womens' Work and Fortunate" giving women the power for who they are not as a object. On the other hand there are artist that degrade women such as biggie "Me & my Bitch", Ludacris "ara codes" and the ying yang twins "wait (whisper song), 50 cent Candy shop.
But does the idea come with a consequence, women who are promiscuous is known as a bitch or a ho!, in the eyes of a man, but is it the same for a man, "no" they are known as a "player" or that his "pimping". In my opinion one should judge the other person, because it is human nature to procreate.
This come to the other idea of men who our players there is a responsibility to take care of their offspring, because it takes a real man to be a father and a dad, rather then being a donor! For women if you see this in a man, then why don't you see it it is being blinded by lust, low self esteem, or the so called love.
Back to the music, if sex sells in a industry that make million to billions of dollars a year from a different music artist, but it all depends on the artist, because they are the ones selling a product and a image.