Objectification In The Music Industry

Introduction The music industry continues to be a part of individuals’ daily lives. The lyrics that make up the music have the ability to create new ideas about topics even after the song is over. Women are typically a target that is objectified throughout many different media platforms. The problem with the objectification is, it affects the way people view women, along with the way women view themselves. This objectification found in musical lyrics serves the purpose of being entertainment for the listeners.

Objectification

Objectification is defined “as the treatment of a person as simply a body or as discrete body parts, rather than as an entire person considered beyond physical characteristics” (Flynn, 2016). Another article defines

According to Rasmussen, females in country songs in the 2010s are objectified more than in the past (Rasmussen, 2016). There are more female singers in the country music industry in today’s society, however the industry is still dominated by male artists. (McClane-Bunn, 2010). McClane-Bunn also states that when women singers are represented, the audience does not solely focus on their musical abilities, but the audience is also concerned about their appearance (McClane-Bunn, 2010). Research shows that country songs are more likely to refer to woman’s appearance, women in tight clothing, women as objects, and talking about women by using slang (Rasmussen, 2016). While country music has females sharing their point of view in their songs, objectification of women is still present. However, female artists are creating a new way for the audience to embrace the music that is empowering to females (Keel, 2004). These studies show how female country artist can began to spark change among this music

While the majority of country music listeners are females, the artists are writing about traditional gender roles in their songs (CMA, 2014). According to Leight, most of the top songs in recent years have been by male artists and singers (Leight 2015). In these songs, women are being marginalized through harsh female gendered stereotypes (Caramanica, 2015). Media usually portrays women in traditional roles and does not step out to portray them in non-traditional roles (Rasmussen 2017). For example, the men in country music videos are usually working and the female characters were shown looking visually attractive, instead of getting their hands into any type of work (Rasmussen 2017). Research says that the portrayal in country music of female gender roles has changed over time. Pruitt says, “between 1955 and 2005, women in country music were more likely to be portrayed as sexually and relationally empowered, and pursuing a non-traditional female gender role has become more acceptable” (Pruitt 2006). Now in today’s culture women are the subject to harsher stereotypes than they were in the past country