What are you listening to?
How many times have you met someone who is listening to music and then repeating the lyrics of that song?, If this have ever happened to you and you have paid attention to what they say, I am sure that you have asked with concern “what the fuck are they listening to” ?, because without having the adornment of the melody the letter collides with any principles instilled in the house. These anti-values are settling in society and each day are transmitted by the power of music, therefore they are settling on the behavior of society.
Music always communicates a message. What messages are the most common? Unfortunately the most common are sexist messages that mostly affect the female gender by promoting stereotypes. In them the woman is a weak being and dependent on her male counterpart, manipulative and naive. "One of the dimensions of music is the transmission of gender stereotypes. Songs in which each sex is identified with a social function or dances in which roles associated with men or women are assumed, "says Marta Fernández, a musicologist at the Complutense University of Madrid. "Assigning personality characteristics and competencies to people based on sex is a discriminatory practice that limits the development of people, both women and men," continues Dr. Fernandez.
The musical genres where these stereotypes are found are varied, but the most popular are reggaetón and hip-hop. In them we can find that the female figure is used as an advertising object (sexual). An example is shown in the song Hip hop by Robin Thicke: "You're the hottest bitch in this place! Tried to domesticate you, but you're an animal. Baby, it's in your nature Just let me free you, I'll give you something big enough to tear your ass in two. " Although it may not sound as alarming as it is, but the mere fact of calling women as animals to be domesticated reflects this sexist model. In example, we have it in the song of Tony Dize: "She blinds you when she arrives with his skirt marks every man chases after her, to see where she goes in his own way and looks fine when dancing with her tricks you, if you let yourself go"(spanish:“Te ciega cuando llega con su falda marca todo hombre la persigue, para ver dónde va se entrega a su manera y luce fina al bailar con su maña te envuelve, si te dejas llevar”) -(reggaeton).
To what extent does it affect this type of music in society? Since, according to Steven Molina Lic. Collective Communication: "Music has become part of the routine of many people, depending on what is heard, can have a role of representing who we are and who we can become; Music can be understood as a means of integration, in which the form of consumption reconfigures social norms. " This "social reconfiguration" more affects the young people who are more susceptible to this, forming in them an education of gender inequality that is directed more often to perpetuate virile archetypes of power, domination and subordination on the woman who lives for And to please the desire of the man. "- says Mr. Steven.
On the other hand, In response we see mostly composers who speak of a "rebel" woman who try to destroy this stereotype being "warriors", fighters and independent, nevertheless imitate the male models. For example: "... you do not care if what you do is right or wrong or whether it has consequences or not. Just think of enjoying, ignore what others tell you. He does not like the classic roles in the couple. He wants things to change. But, basically, they imitate manly positions to do this, they even dress in masculine ways "- affirms Professor Juan de Dios Morán of the University of Extremadura.
Sílvia Morón, a pedagogue and member of the research group on Violence and Media in Blanquerna states that "songs are the reflection of the society we have and we build, and the society in which we live is sexist and discriminating" and that this stereotype Is accepted by both men and women, and so songs like Robin Thicke's triumph. Professor Silvia continues: "There is an objective public that approves it, to which these productions please; If there was widespread rejection, no such issues would be launched. "
Now, although we live in a "modern" age where society is democratic and we are all equal before the law, this gender inequality still exists. This inequality needs to be combated with a change in the way the image of women and language is used in music to foster an atmosphere of equality between the two genders without women having to assume a male role in order to achieve Whatever she wishes.