Sexism in Pop Videos

Sexism in pop videos

Laura Mulvey's male gaze theory

Laura Mulvey suggests that women are viewed as objects through the use of camera shots in film or music videos. The theory suggests woman can more often than not only watch a film from a secondary perspective and only view themselves from a mans perspective. Often in films a female is shown to have no importance to the plot, and only exists in relation to the male character. Laura Mulvey also suggests that The male gaze leads to Hegemonic ideologies within our society, women gaze at other women the same way men do and end up objectifying them.

Mulvey states that the role of a female character in a narrative has two functions

1.As an erotic object for the characters within the narrative to view

2.As an erotic object for the spectators within the cinema to view

Sexism in pop videos

1. Wrecking Ball

Miley Cyrus gained controversy from this music video because people suggested that it was degrading. It was also a contrast to Miley Cyrus's innocent image on the Disney show 'Hannah Montana'. However some people also suggests that it shows Miley Cyrus's transformation from a young girl into an independent women. Whilst some may see the video as exploitative, it may also be suggested that Miley Cyrus is exploiting herself, as the video gained Miley Cyrus a lot of attention, and currently has over 800 million views.

2. Blurred Lines



'Blurred Lines' gained controversy from both its music video and its lyrics. 2 versions of the video were released, a video where the models wear plastic costumes and a video where the models walk around naked. The lyrics gained controversy as some thought that the lyrics were suggestive of rape, such as 'i know you want it'. around 20 universities in the UK banned the song because of the controversy it gained.