Sexism in Pop Music

Bachelor Thesis from the year 2018 in the subject English Language and Literature Studies - Other, grade: 2,7, Humboldt-University of Berlin (Anglistik / Amerikanistik), language: English, abstract: This thesis has the purpose to attend to questions of the likes. Where are all the female musicians? Are there really so little of them or are they simply underrepresented? How are female musicians represented and portrayed if they are successful or trying to gain success? All of these questions above are heavily drenched with more or less visible sexism. The first part of the thesis focuses on explaining how the current status quo has developed and what is keeping it firmly in its place. The second part deals with the various existing forms of sexism, examining carefully the forms that are more difficult to recognize such as microaggressions and microinsults. The final part looks closely at the female body and how it is used, portrayed and exploited, arguing that the female body is a social construction, shaped and used for clear purposes. Possible ways out are examined as well as the difficulty in seeking a transformation of representation since oftentimes solutions stem from the same source that created the problems in the first place. The purpose of this thesis is neither to shame men nor condemn the industry altogether, although I will be critical and harsh of things that must be eyed critically. I attempt to shine a light on a new path that not only female artists have to take, but one that can and should be created hand in hand with record labels, managers and all people involved in the music business.