Im still a guy by Brad Paisley
While looking for an article to respond to the song Im
still a guy by Brad Paisley came on. It reminded me of the class reading by Messerschmidt, "Perspectives on Men" and "Varieties
of Real Men.”
It made me consider the stereo types that country
or southern men are supposed to portray and in what ways could those influential
stereotypes force men in to something they would rather not be, the same way many
women are forced into stereotypical identities.
Just as women and young girls are bombarded
with images and personalities they are “supposed” to embody by the media and
society, men also come in contact with things that they are compelled to
become. Whether they want to or not.
In this song the artist Brad Paisly is stereotyping
men and women through genderism, by suggesting that all women want to change
their boyfriends or husbands into something there not. And stereotyping that
man who get facials and do other things like that aren’t true ‘guys’.
In the song he says “Well love makes a man do some things he ain't
proud of and in a weak moment I might walk your sissy dog” another sign of genderism,
the only way a real man would hold a small dog is by regretting it latter or
being weak, which is also seen as negative.
Songs and other
aspects of pop culture feed the cycle of oppression through the use of stereotypes
and genderisms, and make them socially acceptable. I believe songs like these
impact many young me for example on youtube this song was played over 1,500,000
times. And because of all the publicity for a single stereotypical song
it continues further justification for mistreatment.
It is very true that songs like these are impacting teens, adults, and children. While Brad Paisley is known for making comedy songs, the sexism in them should be thought about. After all, he is using retro sexism. He is telling us that this is sexism and its funny but at the same time it is sexist. Again, gender norms and such are huge. Country music is rooted in the South though and the South has history. Their history is of strong men and the ladies who are their wives. Obviously things have changed but through the generations those gender roles are still playing out in small form. That is why in Country songs there are a lot of strong men and manipulating women. There are some artists that are working on changing these ideas but it will be a slow process. Music in general needs to change though. Sexism reigns there.
ReplyDelete-Rachael Belcher