Sexism in Rock
By: Bronte Pisz
Tags: Womens Rights, Sexism, Rock And Roll

Bronte Pisz

“She’s there to love me both day and night, never grumbles or fusses always treats me right, never runnin’ in the streets leavin’ me alone she knows a woman’s place is right there, now, in her home.” Yeah… right. As a whole, the music industry, specifically rock ’n’ roll and rap, relentlessly objectifies women to their bodies and swiftly gets away with it by writing insults or misogynistic slurs in their lyrics. Some artists choose to show women in a positive light, and those who choose not to are usually the ones getting the most profit and recognition. I’ve reluctantly concluded that sexism is very prevalent in the entire rock culture yet predominantly overlooked by most of its listeners and supporters. Before sexual songs and behaviors were regulated or revolutionized in the fifties and sixties, women in songs were pictured as everyone’s ‘dream girl.’ Nevertheless, as soon as the man’s image changed, so did the woman’s. Males went from good innocent boys that everyone’s mother would approve of to lust-filled boys that “Can’t Get No Satisfaction.” Hence, women were no longer portrayed as sweet, morally-fit girls, but as sex objects which were passed around and only seen for their bodies. The enigma is that rock started as teenagers rebelling against the traditional status quo as a group. However, unfortunately rock music has not evolved so that it is equally representative of both genders. A girl went from being someone to sweep off her feet and be romantic with to being told to obey their men and then their bodies’ objectification in music and music videos.

I created this infographic to show specific points that express the inequality between men and women. It can be challenging to see the big picture or the root of the problem when different stimuli and information are mixed in. This infographic helps visually show each issue and helps distinguish the difference between those, and how it all goes into the need for supporting gender equality. I want to communicate that these are just five examples of the uncountable number of dilemmas that gender bias or gender inequality leads to. I chose the five problems that, in my eyes, are most comfortable to understand from an outside point of view and probably the five most common instances where gender inequality is found. I chose the simplistic symbolism that I did because there aren’t many pictures that can ultimately show the act of being misogynistic. I wanted this infographic’s overall look to stay very formal and organized, which is why I didn’t use pictures of real people or real objects. I believe that each problem’s symbol can be remembered better than a shot of a random man or woman. My audience is our society in general though I would hope emerging adults and their cohorts would see this blog post and hopefully recognize or start to realize the amount of inequality in our society. Yes, this post is about the inequality of men and women and other gender identities. However, gender equality is only one step in the right direction of complete equality. Not only is it hard to recognize places of bias when you’re on the other side, but it’s also even harder when you don’t know what to look for or where to look. The subject of inequality can be brought to almost anything, whether it’s music, TV, radio, movies, job opportunities, educational opportunities, and so much more. Inequality doesn’t even have to be about gender. Our society has so many different variations of inequality and so many places where it can be found that it really does need to be broken down and organized into issues that people can clearly interpret. I hope this post can help people of all ages recognize parts of gender inequality that maybe they couldn’t see or empathize with before for the new generation’s betterment.

With some songs, it becomes debatable as to whether or not there is misogyny within the lyrics. “Music is often left to the interpretation of the listener, thereby making it difficult to parse out and identify specific instances of misogyny.” (Byrd) I understand that songs can portray women sexually without doing it in a derogatory or objectifying manner. However, the problem with sexual references to women in rock music is that those references are belittling or sexist most of the time. Most people can probably reference at least five rock songs by men with lyrics that objectify or curse women, yet it would likely be challenging to think of three songs that encourage women. Women’s objectification musically expands farther than just lyrics and is specifically apparent with women’s representation in music videos within any genre. Usually, in music videos, if the lyrics reference a woman, she will embody all societal beauty standards; unless they are trying to shame or make fun of a woman. “Viewers expect to see scantily clad women, gyrating against men and each other” (Adney). It has become evident that most women in rock ’n’ roll music videos exist for visual gratification or furthering outlandish depictions of women.

Like most things, finding a career in music was also a hill women had to climb over even to be included in it. It becomes more and more aggravating to see the demise of strong, independent women in songs, while men are seen as wealthy and macho. That sort of stereotypical representation of women takes away a woman’s power from her own body, when seeing older and younger women act sexually becomes expected by society. Just because women have the same anatomy, and that anatomy has become objectified by many different groups to look and act a certain way, does not mean all women fit into the category that has become expected. There are more arguments in the aspect of the rock industry’s respect differentials from men to women. “Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has included only about 10 percent women, and the Blues Hall of Fame not much more” (Randall). Men and women have both contributed so much to the cultural and avant-garde parts of music that it should genuinely bring everyone together in the hope of uplifting every person who listens.

Children also listen to this music, whether through YouTube or Instagram, TikTok, or even a sibling. The role that trending music has with any emerging adults and children is vast. What is the characterization or depiction of women that we want this upcoming generation to have? Music does change the way people perceive things, since perception is 90 percent of your reality. “Themes such as perpetuating gender norms, normalized sexual violence, and the objectification of women reflect the power differentials that shape social interaction within the wider culture” (Byrd). For me, this stereotypical perception of women being seen as dependent on men, or there to abide by a man, is ultimately a step in the wrong direction for progressing societal and gender norms. A very lucrative woman’s beauty magazine that still puts outdated ideologies and material in their articles and online is Cosmopolitan. The only advertisement I’ve seen for them is about being a “better” girlfriend or wife, usually changing your appearance. These “tips” are not to better your self in a moral way or tips to help you feel better about yourself. It is merely to please your boyfriend or husband (“21 Spicey Sex Moves Men Crave in the Bedroom”). Women have shown time and time again that we are entirely in control of how we present ourselves and that societal beauty standards are almost impossible to achieve naturally.

Photo by Jernej Graj on Unsplash

It is a fact that societal beauty standards change time and time again, just like fashion trends. The way people, specifically women, are perceived and treated should not be justified because the lyrics rhyme in a song that was most likely made to profit industries rather than express true feelings or emotions coming from the artist.

Artists who do choose to lift women up are praised by their fan base for doing so. Most of these artists are women, and I think it should be a mixture of all artists from all genres to help lift women and every minority group. One woman who was praised for the encouragement of women was Taylor Swift. “Fans praise her for the respect she shows for herself both on the red carpet and in her videos; as a minor, she wore dresses and costumes that did not expose too much skin or present her as a sex object” (Adney). How Taylor Swift presented herself for an extended period of her music career was truly wholesome as her audience was usually teenage girls. Let’s not forget the rock stars that showed some girl power, too, The Hollies. They made a really cool song that I always listen to: “Long Cool Woman In a Black Dress.”

It seems as though the older women get, the more provocative they become within the music industry. Having men and women in the music industry who decide to present themselves and their relationships in a meaningful way helps their audience perceive their situations more meaningfully.

Music’s influence is so vast that women must be treated equally to men for gender equality in the music industry. It should go without saying, but apparently doesn’t, that degrading lyrics simply shouldn’t be used. They’re just lyrics, right? Wrong. The voice that music has is thunderous, and most fans see their favorite artists as role models or someone to strive to be like. They shouldn’t be expressing hateful or degrading lyrics towards anyone, especially women. Many people think that calling women slurs or objectifying them is okay, because some women embrace their bodies and personalities. The problem with that is our society needs to learn the difference between equality and equity. Equality is what we strive for, but it doesn’t make sense to give everyone the same thing: everyone is starting in different places. We need to support the changes that get us to a place of equity. A person’s body is not one to be judged, but their own. Women are frequently called “sluts” in song and real life when they embrace their sexuality, and at times are referred to in this insulting regard unrelated to sexual behavior. “To slut-shame a woman for what she consents to do sexually perpetuates the idea that women should not consent to sex, and should instead accept it passively” (Farida D). If we cannot modify the way females are expected to portray themselves, even musically, what is the chance that society will change their perspective on gender equality in general?

The expulsion of sexism in rock and roll is a miniscule step forward in the progression of gender equality, not just between straight men and women ,or between the audience of rock and roll and the artists, but for everyone. The imprint that viral lyrics have can become ingrained into society, and we, the people, need to support the songs, artists, and labels that push for the existence of equality. A song I personally like and look to for the aspect of equality is “Come As You Are” by Nirvana. I believe that everyone should be comfortable with how they are and how everyone around them is. We truly have the power to change society’s behaviors and norms for upcoming generations, and we should take full advantage of it while we can. Our parents changed the course of community in almost every aspect, just through the music they listened to and the clothes they put on. Simply imagine what our generation can do with all of the tools we have gained to communicate through music and social media, movies, TV shows, etc. This post is not being written to the male population alone, but virtually everyone. Men who are guilty of sexism or misogyny are not the only problem, and that needs to be acknowledged. Women also degrade other women and men. People who are not yet evolved to the point of seeing every gender identity as equal usually have a problem stemming from something completely different, but the point is that, as a man, or as a woman or any variation, you should receive support for being nothing but your authentic self. Not helping the problem is only contributing to the oppression of people in your own society.