Gender Stereotypes In John Steinbeck's In Da Club

Being that the song is highly proclaimed and has reached such a broad audience, one may conclude that his songs have the ability to impact the ideologies of many. Although this is the case, his songs include rude lyrics and messages such as “I'm gon' make her panties wet when she see the way I flex” furthering the mindset that the feelings of women are subject to the actions and achievements of men. Women in his music are depicted to be Jezebel figures, those easily convinced and influenced by male figures of power. This further perpetuates hegemonic masculinity, misogyny and the submissive stereotypes associated with women as projected in rap music.

Demeaning language is also exhibited in the work of New York native 50 cent. The use of vocabulary

This is exhibited in the music videos of rap songs for artists often incorporate luxurious items and women. In the music video for “In Da Club”, there are many frames of 50 cent rapping, whilst woman in provocative clothing are positioned inconsequentially next to him, admiring him as he raps. This affirms his dominant role in the video through revealing how appealing and desired 50 cent is, something which is meant to suggest status. This also represents women as irrelevant and meaningless, as he dismisses each one within seconds. A stereotypical hip-hop/rapper is seen as a player, and 50 Cent being seen with many girls’ lives up to this stereotype. The music video is set in a night club, which is often associated with the lifestyle of alcohol and girls. 50 cent also remains topless through the majority of the video. He embodies the conventions of Hip-Hop through speed, power, girls and wealth. His dressed image is that of “bling” and next to multiple attractive

Often rappers to promote themselves as dominant and relevant figures of power, they likely rap about their material wealth and desirability among women. In order to convey their popularity among the female population, sexist and objectifying illustrations and language are used and ultimately establish belittling perceptions of women. Negative portrayals of women in the media bring implications which span beyond the simple entertainment of youth. The undeniable presence of rap in modern culture prompts maturing youth to have misleading impressions of women as loose individuals who are readily at the disposal and control of men. While such portrayals of women in the media influence the behaviors and attitudes of young men, they are equally as harmful among members of the African American female population. Women may potentially suppress such opinions and eventually begin to recognize themselves as inferior to men, lowering their self-perceived value from doing so. Sexist rap music acts as a way to desensitize audiences to the exploitation and objectification of women. In order for social structures to demonstrate equality toward women and female rappers, consumers, rappers and directors must be mindful toward degrading ideologies concerning