Task 6- Introduction & 1st paragraph

This critical investigation will look at 'How does the R&B genre construct certain gender ideologies? Why might this be a concern in a post feminist society?' I've chosen to do this because gender roles are quite interesting in R&B videos as they are played around with and this provides new messages to audiences. Feminism is a equal rights movement against men for women and we thought to be said in a post feminist era. Post feminism is a society where men and women have gained equality. The R&B music videos I am looking at will explore the changes in traditional gender roles starting with Aretha Franklins respect, then using Neyo's Miss Independent and Rihanna's Hard to demonstrate that men and women can be different and its okay to be. Although Ithink my research will prove that its more acceptable for a woman to be masculinised than a men to be feminised because there is more social stigma.

In the olden days the dominant ideology behind R&B was men were like the red blooded dominant alphamales and women were the sexual objects but were to be looked at but not touched, as it would of been too controversial for raunchier scenes but today's generation is desensitized to all the sexual content. R&B emerged from soul music originally which was similar in the content they'd be singing about love, lust, lack of respect from men and just generally being emotional and feeling put down by their men who were seen as protectors and women the nurturers. Aretha Franklin soul singer of the 70s had a hit with 'respect' as it was a song most women could relate to in that time period where men where the breadwinners and women were housewives. From a Marxist perspective women are thought to absorb the anger that males face when they're alienated at work because of the power of the ruling class. Due to laws like the sex discrimination act women are now able to work.The song contrasts with my texts such as in Neyo's Miss Independent working women are seen as more respectable and more desirable to men so its still about competing for men's affection. However it could suggest that we shouldn't emasculate men because of this. However with Rihanna's hard it could be argued that respect is always gained as she acts like one of the lads and gambles away. Even in the lyrics we see that shes concerned with the material items that men are usually concerned about causing gender trouble 'I need it all ,the money, the fame, the cars, the clothes' as men like to flash about. This differs from Aretha Franklins respect where she demands ''All I'm askin' is for a little respect when you come home'. The similarities between all 3 texts is the whole idea of whoever is more dominant has they key to do what they like and is more of the leader than the follower.