Discrimination Against Women in Songs
Women are still stereotyped today and often portrayed as helpless victims. Our songs represent gender stereotypically as the American White Male keeps the humankind safe from democracy as women are degraded to a second class. The stereotyping of women is seen in several areas of the media, in the lyrics to our popular songs and in our movies. Our children have become so exposed to songs and their lyrics that degrade women that many young adolescents think the song, I am a Barbie Girl is just a song sung by the Ken doll as a reflection of what Barbie's plastic world is all about. But I have a hard time tolerating some of the sexist issues. That actually goes along with the image of Barbie in this song. This song suggests that blondes can not think for themselves. Therefore Barbie must do things like beg on her knees to get her male partner's attention. The song states to young children that, you, as the owner of Barbie, can make her perform. "You can undress her anywhere, you can brush her hair, and you can even run your fingers through her blonde hair." These words send a powerful double meaning to young girls listening to this song. Young girls get the image that they too can be a, "Barbie Girl and live in this Plastic W
Although this song to a young teenager is about a plastic doll named Barbie, the hidden messages are very clear to a mature adult. This whole song sets a tone of how a girl should act if she desires a man and his attention. The image of Barbie set according to the lyrics in this song is that of a brainless blonde who only knows how to use her body to get what she wants. The lyrics also suggest that her only role in life is to pleasure others. The male voice in the song is supposed to represent the Ken Doll. His tone comes across deep and demanding, as he tells Barbie, "You're my doll, rock-n-roll feel the pain, kiss me here, touch me there, hanky panky." This suggests that if Barbie is his girl, then Barbie should let Ken do whatever he wants because he is the white male in charge. These lyrics suggest to the young listeners that nice girls, Barbie Girls, let boys do what ever they please. Even hanky panky, young teenage girls just need to roll with it and feel the pain. Barbie replies to Ken's request by saying, "You can touch, you can play, if you only say I am yours." Again this statement suggests to girls everywhere that they should let their boyfriends touch and play with them as long as they
Some common words found in the essay are:
World Barbie, Barbie Girl, Barbie Girls, Let's Barbie, Girl Barbie, White Male, Barbie Barbie, Barbie You're, Barbie Ken, , image barbie, beg knees, barbie girl, barbie image, women degraded, plastic world, touch play, lyrics suggest, barbie doll, girls image,
Approximate Word count = 820
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)
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