Feminism and Pop Culture - Research Paper Example

Feminism and Pop Culture Basically, pop culture has been understood by many to be the wide array of occurrences and things around individuals from day to day. Wherever an individual goes, he/she is faced with brand names, movie titles, and advertisements. One influential avenue of pop culture is music. Trends, styles, and ideologies are introduced into the mainstream through different genres of music. Music has been a powerful tool for conveying emotions and philosophies. Though its definition is quite variable throughout diverse cultures and age groups, the combination of sounds still poses influence to everybody. Dissidents have been using arts as couriers of their rebellion. Songs’ messages can address issues like poverty, unemployment, and discrimination. Understandably, music evokes emotions which can motivate people to act on an issue. In addition, a variety of records articulate feminism in their lyrics. The song Sisters Are Doin’ It for Themselves was released in 1985 by RCA (Radio Corporation of America) Records. It is a hit duet by Eurythmics (British pop) and Aretha Franklin (R&B/American soul). Aside from reaching the Top 20 U.S. Billboard Hot 100 pop singles chart and Top 10 UK Singles Chart, it also reached top 10 on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart (Chart Beat). This song has been considered to be a modern feminist anthem. It was written by Eurythmics members, Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart. This composition is the result of the social revolution in the 1960’s and 70s wherein a lot of young women rebuffed the role of being baby makers and house wives. It also reflects the “girl power” philosophy of its time in the 1980s. The title of the song speaks well of women’s independence. Females do not always need to depend on men to accomplish their daily tasks. Unlike the old days, womenfolk can be trusted to handle financial issues at home. It is not only the men who can analyze where funds go and how to make worthwhile investments. They have become more open-minded about what they are capable of, as well as braver in trying out the possibilities of their chosen pursuits. For example, by the 20th century, women in many countries had gained the right to vote and advanced their status in politics and education. In the 1980s, there were already women doctors, lawyers, and engineers, though few in number as compared to men. In fact, according to Discovery, “over half of college graduates are women in 1986” (“Women of the Century”). Many of them also pursued higher education in law, business, and medicine. The lyrics are quite clear in advocating women empowerment. In fact, the first lines are already poignant regarding how times have changed in treating the so called “fairer sex”. For instance, in the line, “ so we’re comin’ out of the kitchen”, it means that those days where wives are just locked up at home doing household chores are already history. Indeed, a number of women nowadays are breadwinners along with their husbands. For some, their husbands are the ones in charge of household chores. In a report on comparing women and men’s salaries from 1980 to 1986, it was found out that although men in general had higher salaries, women were able to enjoy more frequent promotions and higher percentages of pay increase (Gerhart and Milkovich 2). It further explained that one of the main causes for their income progress was high performance ratings. However, the reason why many of them could receive promotion was because most were employed in lower levels, thus, making the chances for elevation bigger. On the other hand, this is related to a recent article which was just published last November 13, 2011, in Mail Online. It says, “one woman in five now earns more than her husband or boyfriend” (Barrow). The study suggests that the percentage of females having higher salaries as compared to their partners will continue to increase. Though this statistics is based on United Kingdom population, this reflects the worldwide shift that we are having concerning women being more economically dependable. Nowadays, mothers, as well as grandmothers, are not only tasked to look after their children and grandchildren. It is already accepted and even expected that women, just like men, can be capable and responsible for looking for sources of living. The other lines of the song also point out independence, “Standin’ on their own two feet, and ringin’ on their own bells”. It means women can make their own music in this world. They can survive and meet challenges with what they have and who they are. This exemplifies that more and more females do not depend much on the opposite sex anymore. They can make use of what they have and what they know to meet their daily challenges. They are also capable of creativity, strength, and initiative in different areas of the society. This is resounded by another line, “The fairer sex got a new exterior. We got doctors, lawyers, politicians too.” For example, women can be trusted to be leaders of civic affairs and engage in cutting edge creations. For instance, Randice-Lisa Altschul invented the first disposable cellphone in 1999 (Bellis). The idea came to her when she was about to throw her phone due to her frustration regarding poor connection. In 2009, Fortune magazine awarded Indra Nooyi the title of the most powerful woman in business when she brought $60,000,000 revenue to PepsiCo (“50 Most Powerful Women”). She also promised to make the company save $400,000,000 in their yearly expenses. In Forbes magazine, Angela Merkel is ranked as the most powerful woman and female politician (Goudreau). As a German Chancellor, she directly controls $2.9 trillion GDP of her country, as well as influences $14.8 trillion of the European economy union. Furthermore, the word “exterior” may also represent the support that women are having in advocating their rights. There have been organizations, laws, and charity works mushrooming all over the globe concerning women support. There are non-government organizations that address battering and other forms of violence against women and girls. A lot of groups, such as “Global Fund for Women”, are also engaged in raising financial support which asserts to promote feminine economic security, health, education and leadership. International laws on women’s human rights have also been recognized in several treaties. “The conscious liberation of the female state…” This line talks about the ever expanding consciousness of people concerning women’s fight against suppression. This song reflects the so-called Women’s Liberation Movement during its time. This period of feminist activity began in the 1960’s and lasted through the early 1980’s in the United States (Burks). This lead to several legislations such as no-fault divorce, Women’s Educational Equity Act, Equal Credit Opportunity Act, and others. In those decades, issues on gender sensitivity in the family, work place, and sexuality were actively addressed. This movement was a response the postwar patriarchal society during the 1940’s and 1950’s. That era placed emphasis on the domesticity of women’s roles. By “conscious liberation”, it is implied that there is a growing alertness of signs of women oppression and a mounting enthusiasm for freedom. Examples of this would be actively sponsoring movements against harassment, unequal pay, and other forms of exploitation. Towards the end of the song, the lyrics go “Everybody take a look around, can you see… there’s a woman right next to you”. These words represent the visibility of females in the society as compared to the past. About half a century ago, the single way for a woman to earn esteem was through marriage. However, at present, things have fortunately turned out to be more gender sensitive. This may be in language, mass media, governance, commerce and trade, instruction, and other areas. In general culture, women are gaining more acceptance. For instance, when it comes to language, there are feminist books that use the pronouns “he/she” to advocate nonsexist terms. In labeling professions, sex segregation is being discouraged by utilizing neutral terms such as flight attendant instead of stewardess or steward, and representative instead of congresswoman or congressman. More and more organizations are getting recognized in fighting violence against women in mass media. There is also an increasing number of females advertising expensive products unlike before. It can be observed that there is a shift in women’s roles when it comes to advertising. Currently, there are more products that address men’s roles in accomplishing household chores. There is also lesser discrimination against women in the workplace in various organizations. They can now be allowed to dominate a company unlike before. Their intellect and expertise in education are also recognized. There was a time when females were not allowed in advancing themselves in the military and law enforcement field. Presently, there are already many female soldiers in different national armies. Gender sensitivity seminars and courses are already parts of curricula across the globe. There has been an expansion of information in schools and other learning institutions when it comes to gender issues. The chorus of the song sends the message that women mean business concerning their rights. This is exhibited in the lines, “We ain’t making stories and we ain’t layin’ plans, 'Cause a man still loves a woman and a woman still loves a man”. Women are fighting for equal recognition and respect because they mean it. It is not just for show or for mere attention. This is a serious issue in the society and forms of oppression should be properly addressed. It does not mean that women want to take over the world or dominate men. They just want equality and fair chance in advancing themselves in respect to the environment they live in. This means focusing on eradicating multiple burden, condescension, backlashing, sexual innuendo, economic marginalization and other forms of gender discrimination. The aforementioned ideas concentrated on the improvement of women’s status over the years. Indeed, there has been notable progress. However, the reality still posesses plenty of nations, organizations, and individuals who harbor narrow-mindedness regarding this issue. There are also a few who only give lip service on women’s rights but reflect gender insensitivity in their actions. Relating it to Friedan’s book, The Feminine Mystique, the society, specifically the media, promotes the idea that women’s main role is to find a husband, have children, and put their needs among others (Quindlen 524). For example, an article in 2009 in Women’s Media stated that many women choose to stay at home despite their outstanding educational background and job opportunities due to discrimination and parenthood (Hilary).Though many women want to advance in their careers, they may still be pressured by some factors in the community to sacrifice most of what they want to do. In addition, drama series like Desperate Housewives and movies like Woman of the Year foster the principle that women should play more subordinate roles and stick to their household chores. Friedan adds that women have been expected to confine themselves to home and that they are not supposed to be involved in higher education and politics. Regarding Wolf’s work entitled The Beauty Myth, the author asserts that women have become slaves of beauty standards that are impossible to attain (10). Hence, females are too engrossed in making themselves appear more “acceptable” rather than focusing on more useful avenues in bettering their lives. Magazines and other forms of mass media have portrayed “beautiful” women to be flawless, body perfect, and supermodel-like. Nonetheless, the responsibility is not only one way. If women are really serious about gender sensitivity issues, they should also have the initiative to find beauty in less superficial things. If women are not making stories, they should also strive to be attractive in areas like humanitarian efforts, economy, and education. They should also work on being emotionally stable, accept their weaknesses, and have the drive to achieve goals in life. These actions will surely deliver the message that they are indeed “doing it for themselves”. In her work, McIntosh wrote that men acknowledge that women have fewer privileges though they do not necessarily recognize that they themselves are over-privileged (McIntosh 1). Moreover, there have been evidences of opportunities related to one’s race. It has been observed that skin color has been influencing people’s chances and benefits. In order to truly have a “conscious liberation of the female state”, all individuals must be aware of the actual state of things. True consciousness means accepting of the reality of the environment and acting about it after some significant introspection. Thus, the value of tolerance must be underscored in individuals’ actions and perceived in their actions that masses may respect each other’s differences, get along better, have peaceful actions, be less criticizing, value others’ decisions, and get united as human beings. All in all, countless upturns have been evident in the light of feminism. Nonetheless, just like everything else, it is unattainable to achieve a Utopian society especially when it comes to women’s justifications. For that reason, what citizens can ensure is to persist in working towards a gender-friendly humanity as decisively as they can. Works Cited Barrow, Becky. “Rise of Female Breadwinners as One in Five Women Earn More Than Their Partner.” Mail Online. Daily Mail, 13 Nov 2011. Web. 14 Nov 2011. Bellis, Mary. “Disposable Cell Phone.” Inventors. About.com, 2011. Web. 14 Nov 2011. Burks, Mary. “Women and Post WWII Wages.” National Bureau of Economic Research. 2011. Web. 15 Nov 2011. Gerhart, Barry and Milkovich, George. Salaries, Salray Growth, and Promotions of Men and Women in a Large, Private Firm. New York: Cornell University, 1987. Print. “50 Most Powerful Women in Business.” Money. CNN.com, 2010. Web. 14 Nov 2011. Friedan, Betty. The Feminine Mystique. Hilary, Lips. “Blaming Women’s Choices for the Gender Pay Gap.” Women’s Media. Women’smedia.com, 2009. Web. 14 Nov 2011 McIntosh, Peggy. White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack. Philadelphia: Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, 1989. Print. Quindlen, Anna. Betty Friedan: The Feminine Mystique. New York: W.W.Norton and Company, 1997. Print. Stewart, Dave and Lennox, Annie. “Sisters Are Doin’ It For Themselves.” Lyrics Freak .2010. Web. 14 Nov.2011. Trust, Gary. “Ask Billboard: Sisters Are Doin’ It for Themselves.” Chart Beat. Chart Beat, 29 April 2011. Web. 14 Nov 2011. “Women of the Century.” Discovery Education. Discovery.com, 2011. Web. 15 Nov 2011. Wolf, Naomi. The Beauty Myth: How Images of Beauty Are Used Against Women. New York: Harper Collins, 2002. Print. Read More