Article Link:
http://feministhemes.com/lady-gaga-feminism-so-hard-to-believe/
The media is a powerful influence on the way that we perceive reality. The images and messages that we internalize from the media teach us what is normal and how we should act. In regards to gender, the media attempts to enforce gender roles by delivering stereotyped images and messages for people to imitate. The McQuail reading states that “Feminist research assumes a rather straightforward ‘sender-message-receiver’ sequence in which media are conceived as transmitting particular messages about gender (stereotypes, pornography, ideology) to the wider public.” The problem with this is that those who control the media are mostly white rich men. “There is every incentive for them to present the capitalist, patriarchal scheme of things as the most attractive system available – and to convince the less privileged that the oppression and limitations of their lives are inevitable.” However, feminism attempts to challenge the norm by stressing the importance of remodeling and reinforcement by parents, teachers, and the media in the attainment of gender role behaviors. Feminists also focus their efforts on creating and changing laws to promote women’s opportunities and equality. They also stress the liberal ideal of increasing women’s public visibility and criticize traditional stereotypes. So can anyone be considered a feminist?
A hot topic that interviewers seem interested in investigating is whether or not Lady GaGa is in fact a feminist. Although the pop star says yes she is, some people are having a hard time believing it. The article I found discusses the stereotypes linked to feminists, and tries to answer the question as to why it’s so unusual for Lady GaGa to be considered a feminist. The part in the article that stuck out to me questioned “Is it because she is a pop star, and somehow we have obscured pop music/stardom with instant sell-out status, misogyny, and manufactured faux empowerment?” The link between pop stars and gender stereotypes is very strong in most cases, and Lady GaGa definitely fits the criteria for some of the stereotypes. She is seen as a sex symbol from her choice of barley there clothing and suggestive dance moves. However, the correlation between pop stars and gender stereotypes is being challenged. In Lesley Robinson’s article, she discusses how Christina Aguilera’s video for her song Dirrty is an example of sex-positive post feminism which “embraces a feminism focused on individuality, independence and women’s choice to engage in heterosexually attractive bodily display.” Although female performers do work within patriarchal conventions, they have a lot of control over what they create and are largely marketed to a female audience. In Christina Aguilera’s video as well as Lady GaGa’s and many others, their performance implies self-assuredness and authority which undermine the objectification. They flaunt the fact that men cannot control female sexuality. “The ongoing and dialectical struggle between woman and patriarchy is constantly renegotiated in cultural productions. Rather than serving only to disseminate the ideas of male hegemony, popular music acts as a stage upon which the many nuances of an emerging female identity are played out.”
What are your thoughts on gender and pop culture? Do you think that someone like Lady GaGa can be both a stereotype in regards to being a sex object, but also be a feminist? How can we challenge or change these stereotypes?
I think the question of whether Lady GaGa is a feminist is a really interesting question. Gaga, like the media, has gained lot of power and from this has the ability to exude a lot of influence on her fans and followers. The fact that she has been deemed a fashion icon, a sex symbol and now this question of a feminist, just justifies how much of an ‘icon’ she has actually become.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I’m not a fan of her. She’s a little too extreme for my taste, but as for her music, some of it I don’t mind. My personal opinions of her aside, I think in terms of her as a feminist—this notion holds a little bit of weight. The fact that she is so extreme, actually can work to her benefit whether she’s aware of it or not. We live in a society where women are still portrayed a certain way and seen in a certain light—and gaga is changing that. Even with her outlandish outfits and the way she presents herself, as obnoxious as it can be; she is essentially empowering women and in a sense trying to redefine the standards. In the McQuail reader, Linda Lazier-Smith stated, “Although the demographies (the math) has changed dramatically, the attitude (mentality) has not… We seem to be suffering from a cultural lag—our culture’s beliefs and attitudes and opinions on women are lagging behind the reality about women.” Gaga is aiding in the switching of people’s opinions and attitudes, and if not actually executing the change, she’s making people aware that changes do need to be made.
If we go by the example you gave about what it means to be a feminist “increasing women’s public visibility and criticize traditional stereotypes,” Lady Gaga is doing just that. She’s giving people, specifically females, and the power to embrace individuality and go against the norm. In Lesley Robinson’s piece, Lasara explained a new version of feminism as being, “based not in the propagation of the myth of victimization...but in the true strength and liberation of being who we are, who we want to be. This new feminism does not disallow and disavow lipstick and bras, but encourages a creative mix of sexy and strong, saucy and strident.” Seeing female singers like Gaga embracing their femininity and using it as an empowerment tool, because of her huge following and influence, truly does have the ability to change what it ‘means to be a woman’ even in the slightest degree. Although she is objectified to a certain extent, I think if people switch their focus and look at it in this way, she can be seen as a feminist too.
I think that being a “feminist” is almost always misunderstood. Usually if a woman says she is a feminist, people think that she hates men or thinks women are better than men. In all reality, that’s not true. Look it up: Feminism isn’t about putting men down; it’s just about equal rights and opportunities for both sexes. I once had a teacher ask my class, “Raise your hand if you think women should vote.” When everyone raised their hands my teacher said, “Guess what, you’re ALL feminists. You’re a feminist as long as you think men and women should have equal rights.”
ReplyDeleteHaving said that… I think women DO see Lady Gaga as a feminist. She is a shining example of a woman who has been successful on her own, without the help of a man. Gaga has worked hard and has conquered the music industry in a big way. She can sing her lungs out and she can dance too. Plus she’s a fashion icon. She’s proven that she can do it all.
In a study of television portrayals of women, Lichter, Lichter & Rothman found that female characters “are portrayed as the weaker sex. They are less likely to be mature adults, are less well educated, and hold lower status jobs." Feminists like Lady Gaga are showing women today that you can break the mold that the media says you must fit. I think Gaga also embodies Sheppard's notion of "a fierce sexual autonomy that flaunts the very real fact that men ultimately cannot control female sexuality" (Robinson’s article). I think that Gaga appears strong and feminine at the same time, whether she’s on the red carpet or in her music videos. She might want a man… but she doesn’t NEED one. I think that is the message that she exudes. Love it!
In regards to Lady Gaga being both a sex object because of her pop-fame and a feminist, I look at it like this: it’s the difference between who she is and what she is. Who she is, is a feminist. What she stands for may be a sex symbol. The article points out the stereotype perfectly : “feminists are only women, they are not attractive (ugly), hate men (perhaps because their ugliness denies them a suitable mate), hate children, are lesbians, angry, don’t wear make-up, witches, choose career over family, cock-blockers, want to rule over men.” Lady Gaga doesn’t really fit any of those descriptions, which is why people question her feminist title.
ReplyDeleteThe argument is that Lady Gaga cannot be a feminist and a pop-star at the same time. Why not? Lady Gaga may be a questionable public figure, but when she voices her opinion the media is quick to share it. According to Leslie Sleeves' article, liberal feminists “focus their efforts on creating and changing law to promote women’s opportunities for intellectual growth and professional success.” (393) Recently, Lady Gaga has rallied for equal rights for more than one issue. She’s an extremely powerful and courageous woman outside of the political spectrum. I don’t understand how anyone can deny she is a feminist based on the fact she is also pop figure.
I really enjoyed this topic and question. While Lady GaGa is not one of my favorite people, feminists typically are. During my time at Quinnipiac, I have taken many women's studies courses all whose main emphasis was to destroy the stereotype of feminists. This stereotype consists of the ironically "manly" woman,both unlikeable and not rational.
ReplyDeleteLady GaGa is criticized for objectifying women through sex. Lady GaGa critiques te public for caring. Leslie Steeves recognizes the argument that "Many liberal feminists believe the inequity is simply a matter of irrational prejudice that can be solved through ratinal argument. Many others however borrow ideas from socialization theory and research." I beleive Lady Gaga's feminism applies to the latter. In terms of socialization, female expectations and childhood gender roles, GaGa lets very few social norms affect her, nevermind gender norms.
I agree with Leigh's concluding statement in her comment. Her lack of dependency on a man speaks loudly. While she fits few molds, and independent woman is what feminism is all about.