PUSSYCAT DOLLS BUTTONS

Gender representation:

FEMINIST READING: (MULVEY) Sexual Objectification and the Male Gaze (Laura Mulvey 1975):

• Presence of women solely for the purpose of display (rather than narrative function)- looking seductive attracting male attention (image 1).

• Female on display is passive and objectified for a male gaze regardless of viewers gender (image 2).

• Voyeuristic treatment of female body in ‘male’ videos – use of dancers as adornments to the male ego

• The inclusion of women for display is a staple element in music video’s – across all genres;

• Women connote to-be-looked-at-ness and are the object of the male gaze.

• Sexual power derived from physical attractiveness to men.

• Snoop’s voyeuristic male gaze/POV shots invites male viewer to join in (image 4).

• The seduction of the male audience by adhering to gender stereotypes, attractive females, seductively dressed, connotations of lap dancing (image 5).

• The Doll’s used literally as objects to create patterns in an aerial shot (image 6).

Image 3

Image 1:

Image 2:

Image 3:

Image 4:

Image 5:

Image 6:

POST FEMINISM A re-appraisal (modernising of Feminist values

Believes in the decline of sexisms- greater equality between the sexes.

Argues that women are now more independent and less reliant / dependent on a male economically as well as emotionally.

(liberal feminist share these views also)

Objected to theories which position them as objects of the ‘male gaze’ now a “female gaze”. Women are now actively choosing their match, which gives them more power, respect and rights.

This was about empowering women and a celebration of femininity.

POST FEMINIST READING: Identifies a ‘female gaze’ - women actively desiring men (image 7).

Women began to assert their right to dress and be sexually attractive, they are now able to express them self in any way they chose to, they now have greater power.

--Offer messages of sexual empowerment - assertive, provocative and in control of ‘the gaze’ (image 7).

“I’m a sexy mama/Who”- the dolls use their appearance to be sexually promiscuous to their advantage for them self to be more assertive, confident and in command. This subverts assumptions/stereotypes about females using sexuality to appeal to males only. Women (pussycat dolls) are aware of their actions however still use their sexuality when they choose to. This shows they have control over themselves and the situation.

Uses a provocative male address challenging Snoop to “loosen up my buttons babe” – however they go on to say “I wonder if im to much for you I wonder”- the lyrics represent the female to be in control, through dialogue they do the commanding which subverts serotypes. They are also being patronising through their dialogue.

Image 7:

This image shows the females pov, this is the female gaze, she is in control as she is approaching the male. The female walking is represented to be very confident and determined, this suggests females now have more rights and are more outspoken.

This image shows the female is in control of the situation, in the image she is moving away from the male. This represents the female to now have power over her relationship with a man. This suggests that feminist view that a relationship is dominated by the man and society is patriarchal is subvert in this image.