Depiction of Women in Lyrics

Music has become ingrained within our every day lives. It ranges from the music we hear during commercials to popular mainstream artists playing over the radio, the lyrics of music has shaped roles and standards for both men and women. In the past four decades, lyrics have begun to increasingly depict sex, sexual violence and male dominance. With teenagers being the main audience for the music media the lyrics are typically aimed for that age group. Because of the targeted age group the lyrics have affected women mentally into a stereotypical role of women in society and has influenced teenagers into engaging in early sexual acts.

There are two main sources where these messages could be found within the music media, they are rock and rap. Each have a different way of depicting women but it has become an almost predictable subject to try and understand. On very rare occasions are there songs that depict women in a positive outlook, the greater majority of lyrics have established masculinity or the idea that women are the reason for the issue at hand.

In the genre of rock there are two typical forms, cock rock and teeny-bop. Both have a foundation of somehow degrading women either emotionally or even physically. Although in comparison to rap, the idea of male domination is subtle. Teeny-bop presents the male singer as a vulnerable, self-pity and in need individual; often times the lyrics are about women being formed as “unreliable, fickle, [and] more selfish than men” (Frith and Goodwin 12). Within the Teeny-bop image the men are shown as being the victim in a relationship by having crushed dreams of a long term relationship with a women; the men are shown as soft, romantic, loyal and anxious to find true love where it has bec...

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... performing artist or arousal properties of the songs. Even the humorous violent songs increased aggressive thoughts (Partenheimer).

One of the main concerns is regarding the long-term effects that violent/degrading music has on an individual. There has yet to be studies done that would explain the effect music has on a person for a extended period of time.

It is obvious that content within the music media matters regardless as to how it is presented. Decades ago lyrics were not as demeaning for women or men, but with music evolving the way it has, it is important to analyze each part of the lyrics to understand the effects. Society is surrounded by music and has very little influence as to the subject or what is being said. However understanding what the messages are is a start to prevent the misogamy, the idea of male dominance and sexual references or acts.