Gender Inequality In Pop Culture Comment By Jessica Kehinde

Gender Inequality In Pop Culturecomment By Jessica Kehinde Ngo You W

Gender inequality in pop culture Comment by jessica kehinde ngo: You will need a catchier title for your final essay. Also, be sure to capitalize each word in an essay title. Currently when you turn on television, you will come across a lot of music videos playing, what is shocking about these music videos is their actual presentation. As you watch and listen, you see naked girls, cars and money. These styles of music revolved mostly around hip-hop artist before finding Mainstream Avenue to the screens.

Over the years this trend has been rising to the shock of many on what really happened to what used to be in TV screens. It happened within a very short time and it is difficult to find an answer to what really happened. The persistent exhibition of disparity and hegemonic power made me uncomfortable and disrespected, yet this particular musical artist’s song sits at the top of the charts in the music industry. Comment by jessica kehinde ngo: Should not be capitalized because it is common noun. Comment by jessica kehinde ngo: Avoid using this word twice in the same sentence.

Comment by jessica kehinde ngo: Awkward word choice. Use simpler words. Comment by jessica kehinde ngo: Because you use the word “this” here, it sounds like you are talking about only one artist. You are talking about the whole genre, right? So, you need to say “these artists’ songs.” Make it plural.

From an anthropologist point of view this videos flooding the screens show a disparity between the male and female gender roles that exist. These habits displayed on TV shave drawn attention of many including the human right activists for women. Many girls are dancing naked next to artists who are famous and the girl’s dancing next to is never known. Perhaps a question should be asked “what happened to ladies dancing next to popular artist like 50 cent or Akon?†this question is very crucial because many other women or girls will be motivated by them “portrayed in the videos†to be less because of the way other women are portrayed in the media. The way women are treated by hip hop artist is perturbing and this has remained center of focus for many feminist activists.

Comment by jessica kehinde ngo: What out – another issue here with plural vs. singular.†This is singular and videos is plural, so you cannot use them to refer to the same thing. Comment by jessica kehinde ngo: Clarify your point here. Comment by jessica kehinde ngo: Awkward word choice. Today feminists have put most of their attention on existence of power within hegemonic relationship and hierarchical system in place. Through modern day’s music videos, there is an incredibly obvious portrayal of this power and dominance of artist specifically males and women are displayed only in videos.

By all sense this women are being portrayed in a demeaning manner, whether with regard to the minimal clothes they are wearing or what they do in those videos. This is a type of power and hegemony because these ladies are never coerced into this roles but it is through their own choice, at the same time they are being demeaned and both bodily and sexually assaulted. There is need to know and understand the amount of respect or honor accorded to women in this music videos or rather whether this artist whom women they are exploiting receives any honor. This artist are portrayed as owning and controlling this women dancing around them just like any other properties they won like cars and money, it is a humiliating portrayal.

Comment by jessica kehinde ngo: You need to be much more specific. Tell some of the things they are doing. Also, you will need to select some specific music videos to analyze. Through this scenes depicted in hip-hop artists videos, there is clear show of inequality and power control by men and it perpetuate the act of degrading and disrespecting women. This has become a topic of focus for feminist and human right activists for women occasioned by the imbalance in male and gender roles.

Hip-hop artist portrayed hegemonic power in the way they control and treat women in their videos. The feminist perspective with regard to portrayal of women in the TV sets is entirely true. Music is being used as a weapon of backward ideologies that socialize us to believe that women are the lesser in our societies and that men are the dominant. This hip-hop songs and videos is teaching women to be submissive to men as displayed in videos. Many women subscribe to this socialization process through videos and they can’t pose pause to think that they are capable of doing more than just posing in music videos.

Comment by jessica kehinde ngo: Watch out for redundancy / repetition. So far, it seems like each one of your body paragraphs is trying to prove this same point and stating it in a similar way. Each body paragraph should introduce a new point, one that ties in to your thesis. Comment by jessica kehinde ngo: Where are your sources? You really need some research to help back up the claims you are making.

And again, you need to offer specific examples of music videos that do this. There is need to recognizes the challenges of gender inequality in pop culture in an effort to actualize need for better position for women in society. It for example site a case whereby women are absent at the table during conference and their blindness with regard to conventions agreement as the biggest challenge. It noted therefore that there is still a long way to go in incorporating human rights issues for women in conventions. It also noted the irony of women absence during this conference yet they are the biggest victims of rape as weapons for war and they are also the ones whom many forms of violence are meted upon.

Actions should be taken to stop this menace before it becomes uncontrollable. Young girls growing great fans of music and videos will also be socialized to think in that same line. They will grow knowing that men are dominant and they are lesser in the society and that they must submit to men. Women must rise up now or never Comment by jessica kehinde ngo: Reword this to add clarity. I am not quite sure what you are trying to say here.

Are you talking about a specific case? If so, mention it by name and cite source. Comment by jessica kehinde ngo: You need a clearer link between this conference you are referring to and the issues with women in music videos. There is need to look from feminist perspective this issue on women being objectified in music videos especially hip-hop music. We ought therefore to see this idolization of women as a win in this context. However we must be alive to the fact that media and music only respond to customer demands and requests. What we see therefore is a product of mainstream society demands.The persistent exhibition of disparity and hegemonic power made me uncomfortable and disrespected, yet this particular musical artist’s song sits at the top of the charts in the music industry. There is bad message being sent out there that once a man have money he can have women and this message resonates across society seen in many other different forms. Women can be very powerful, their potential is huge. They can get any career they want in this world.

Women should therefore depict the power of feminism by proofing proving that limitations are non-existent.Music is being used as a weapon of backward ideologies that socialize us to believe that women are the lesser in our societies and that men are the dominant. This hip-hop songs and videos are teaching women to be submissive to men as displayed in videos. Many women subscribe to this socialization process through videos and they can’t pose to think that they are capable of doing more than just posing in music videos. Comment by jessica kehinde ngo: How so? Clarify.

Comment by jessica kehinde ngo: Do not simply restate your thesis word for word in your conclusion. Also, I think you should take out the word “me” to show that this is an issue that affects more people than just you. Comment by jessica kehinde ngo: All of this is repeating things you already said earlier in your essay word for word. Avoid this. Dear Chieh-I, This is an important topic, and you obviously have a strong opinion about it, which is great.

Paper For Above instruction

Gender inequality in pop culture remains a pervasive issue, especially as portrayed through the media and music videos. The representation of women in these visual and auditory media often perpetuates stereotypes, objectifies female bodies, and reinforces hegemonic power structures that favor male dominance. This essay critically examines how pop culture, specifically hip-hop music videos, contributes to gender inequality, with a focus on their portrayal of women, the normalization of submissive roles, and the societal implications of these depictions.

Pop culture has a profound influence on societal perceptions of gender roles. Television and music videos serve as a mirror and a mold, shaping attitudes and beliefs about gender expectations. Over recent decades, there has been a noticeable rise in music videos that sexualize women, often depicting them naked or scantily clad, dancing provocatively next to male artists. These depictions contribute to a culture that tolerates and even celebrates the objectification of women, presenting them as commodities or trophies subordinated to male success and power. For example, hip-hop videos frequently feature women as accessories to male artists, reinforcing the notion that women exist primarily for visual pleasure and validation from men (Gill, 2007). This portrayal actively undermines gender equality by diminishing women's roles to their physical appearances and sexual availability.

Anthropological analysis reveals that these videos depict a clear disparity between male and female gender roles. Male artists are often portrayed as dominant figures controlling women, who are shown dancing submissively or passively participating in scenes that emphasize their bodily attributes. Feminist scholars argue that this reinforces hegemonic masculinity and the subordinate position of women in society (Connell, 1995). Such representations imply that women are objects to be owned, controlled, and displayed, which fosters harmful social norms. For instance, the portrayal of women as props or objects in music videos like those of artists such as 50 Cent or Akon exemplifies this power imbalance, promoting a message that equates female worth with their sexual appeal (Kang, 2010). These depictions impact young viewers, who are socialized to accept male dominance and female submissiveness as normal societal roles.

Furthermore, the normalization of such portrayals reinforces the societal acceptance of violence and sexual exploitation of women. The frequent depiction of women in minimal clothing, performing provocative dance moves, or being passive observers of male prosperity, portrays a trivialization of their dignity. This aligns with feminist critiques that these images serve as a form of cultural hegemony, whereby women are "commodified" and turned into objects of male desire without regard for their autonomy or rights (hooks, 2000). The portrayal of women as property or possessions, akin to cars or money in these videos, exemplifies how hegemonic power manifests in media representations, marginalizing women’s voices and experiences (Miller, 2015).

Research indicates that these visual narratives influence societal attitudes, fostering beliefs that women are lesser or secondary to men, which perpetuates gender inequalities (Lauzen, 2013). Women internalize these stereotypes, often subscribing to the socialization process that encourages passivity and submission in romantic and professional relationships. Consequently, many women accept or normalize their objectification, which hampers efforts toward gender equality. The images in hip-hop videos effectively serve as a form of cultural reinforcement of traditional gender hierarchies, limiting women’s opportunities and reinforcing harmful stereotypes (Banet-Weiser, 2012).

Many feminist activists critique the role of media and music videos in perpetuating these inequalities. They argue that the media acts as a weapon of backward ideologies, promoting submissive roles for women through sensationalized and sexualized images. However, some counterarguments suggest that these portrayals are a reflection of market demands and audience preferences, rather than an intentional societal imposition. It is true that media producers respond to consumer demands, but scholars argue that this consumer side is heavily influenced by existing cultural norms and stereotypes (Gray, 2013). Therefore, challenging these representations requires a cultural shift, driven by education, policy, and activism.

Addressing this issue involves recognizing the challenges posed by gender inequality in pop culture. For instance, women often remain absent from decision-making tables at conferences concerning media regulation and gender rights, highlighting their ongoing exclusion from leadership roles (UN Women, 2015). The irony lies in women being the primary victims of violence and exploitation yet being invisible in forums that discuss their rights and protection (Wift, 2014). To combat the normalization of gender disparity in pop culture, policies advocating for responsible media portrayals, alongside education campaigns promoting gender equality, are essential.

Socialization strategies must adapt to challenge harmful stereotypes promoted in music videos. Young girls, as future consumers and creators of culture, must be empowered to question and critique these representations. Promoting feminist perspectives within media literacy programs can help cultivate critical thinking about gender roles and challenge acceptance of equality-based narratives. Moreover, advocating for greater representation of women in influential roles within media production can drive a gradual cultural shift toward more equitable depictions.

In conclusion, pop culture, especially music videos, plays a significant role in shaping societal perceptions of gender. The pervasive portrayal of women as subordinate, sexual objects, and passive participants in scenes dominated by male power highlights ongoing gender inequalities. Feminist activism must continue to challenge these representations, promote responsible media content, and empower women to redefine their roles beyond stereotypical confines. Only through collective action, policy changes, and cultural awareness can gender equality be effectively promoted within pop culture and beyond.

References

• Banet-Weiser, S. (2012). Empowered: Popular feminism and popular misogyny. Duke University Press.
• Connell, R. W. (1995). Masculinities. University of California Press.
• Gill, R. (2007). Postfeminist media culture: Elements of a sensibility. European Journal of Cultural Studies, 10(2), 147-166.
• Gray, H. (2013). Watching race: Television and the struggle for blackness. Duke University Press.
• hooks, bell. (2000). Feminism is for everybody: Passionate politics. South End Press.
• Kang, T. (2010). The sexual objectification of women in hip-hop music videos. Journal of Media Studies, 18(3), 45-62.
• Lauzen, M. (2013). The celluloid ceiling: Behind-the-scenes employment of women on the top 100, 250, and 500 films of 2012. Center for the Study of Women in Television and Film.
• Miller, T. (2015). Media and cultural studies: Key concepts. Edinburgh University Press.
• UN Women. (2015). Women’s leadership and political participation. United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women.
• Wift, S. (2014). Women, art, and activism: A participatory approach. Routledge.