Gender in Music Videos

We are going to watch Beyonce’s 2011 video for Who Rules The World (Girls)

Who Rules the World (Girls)

How is Beyonce being represented? What kind of woman is being portrayed through her performance?

In what ways is her image constructed? How is this representation built up? It may be helpful to see how her aggressive leader image is constructed and how she is also constructed as a sex object.

What factors do you think govern this representation? Why has this image been carefully created for the star? Is the image the same as the reality?

Many of Beyonce’s fans are young teenage girls – many will respond positively to her girl power image – why? Can you think of any concerns older women , especially mums, might have about this representation?

What do YOU think – is this a positive or a negative representation of women? Progressive or regressive?

Can you think of any other artist whose image has given cause for similar concern?

Farmer tells Rihanna she is too raunchy for his land28 SEPTEMBER 2011Rihanna got her marching orders after a farmer objected to the pop star peeling off her clothes while filming a new video on his land – but she received a warmer welcome in Belfast. 

Farmer Alan Graham, 61, was so shocked to see the singer in his barley field wearing a red bikini that he pulled up his tractor, objected to her “inappropriate state of undress” and called a swift halt to proceedings. 

Christina Aguilera and Rihanna 'too raunchy' for X Factor 

Christina Aguilera and Rihanna's racy performances on X Factor have been slammed for being too raunchy for a family TV show.

Fans complained that the two stars were dressed too sexily for their pre-watershed performances. 

Rihanna sported a strapless bra and high-waisted pants for her rendition of What's My Name while Aguilera wore a low-cut black dress as she sung the song Express from her new film Burlesque last night. 

(Metro: 12/12/2010)

Here are two CD covers for you to analyse how they represent women. Try also to consider why you think these stars have chosen these images:

We’ll now look at another video for Eminem’s 2010 single Love the Way You Lie, which also features Rihanna:

Love the Way You Lie

The central characters in the narrative are played by Megan Fox and Dominic Monaghan.

Can you identify the way the male characters are shown in this video?

What about the female characters?

Think about the way the characters look/ what they do/ the different styles of music

This portrayal was quite controversial when it came out – can you see why people may have felt concern about these gender representations?

Usually we accept that what we are seeing is a fictional performance. What do you know about these two artists that maybe made this song feel much more personal and realistic?

Why do you think Eminem decided to promote these ideas about male and female behaviour?

Do you think they are okay or do you have any reservations about seeing them in a music video?

Here are three CD covers for you to analyse how they represent men. Try also to consider why you think these stars have chosen these images: