Gender Biases In Pop Culture

Because of the patriarchal control within pop culture, women are being objectified to please the gender biases of society. Women are forced to present a particular image that fits into pop culture standards as shown in Lady Gaga’s music video “Applause”. Applause is a song written by Lady Gaga in 2013 and was created to express how she appreciates performing because of the support from her fans. This song targets the idea that musicians use their audience’s approval to demonstrate how successful they are. It is a common belief that the less clothing one wears, the more successful they will be. “Perhaps the "porno-ization" of the pop star affords her less protection, allowing the public to blindly accept that these young celebrities are indeed

She dresses for her fans and trusts that her “little monsters” will continue to support her and her image. This is difficult for performers to do because they are afraid to change into the images that their fans may dislike. Thus, it could cause them to become unpopular. But, Lady Gaga would rather be proud of her own image than suppress her appearance for society. “The argument could be made that women are in control of their own exhibition of their bodies. However, other videos assure us that men are "pimps," the ones in charge, and women are merely subordinate "hos”,” (Levande 306). The use of male control in music videos can be interpreted as the patriarchal push in society. Moreover, Lady Gaga represents a resistance to this push because she has no strong male roles within her music video. This being said, the image of nudity is used within her music video. But, the difference is that Lady Gaga is showing how she is proud of herself and she is thus empowered. “Feminists experience equally valid, but sometimes competing desires to, on one hand, protect girls from objectifying and misogynistic versions of female sexual expression and, on the other hand, allow girls the freedom to experience and express feelings of sexual desire, pleasure, and agency,” (Peterson 293). Strong female role models are important to adolescent girls. Kids follow the actions of the

Females are connected to gentle emotional and social ideas (Trier-Bieniek and Leavy 4). In music videos, women tend to portray affable characters. Lady Gaga appears happiest is when she is showing her true self, which is not always exactly how society views females. By presenting this image, Lady Gaga displays that she is not afraid of possible criticism. She is also refusing to change her image despite the force to comply. “This participant described herself as taking “control” and rejecting common discourses about the expected female sexual role,” (Peterson 311). In the video, she is shown wearing large, dark angel wings. This represents her inner dark side and that all people can have evil parts to them. Typically, musicians would not show this side of them with fear that it could push away their fan base. This represents how Lady Gaga is defeating the critics to show her inner self and show that she is accepting of herself in every way. By accepting who she truly is, Lady Gaga is able to convey herself as a stronger person. A common conception that represents monstrosity is everyone being exactly the same. Despite what society is trying to push on you, she represents the idea of being true to who one’s self. This is an important message to the next generation because Lady Gaga is trying to call to attention the notion that its possible to