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The Big Tease

THE BIG TEASE: FEMALE IMAGES IN ROCK VIDEO (1 hour)
Produced: 1995

Bruce McDonald, of The Kids in the Hall, interrupts their music video, Terrier to tell two bikini-clad women frolicking in the background, that they are scantily-clad and have nothing to do with the lyrics of the song, so they must leave.
This clip questions the role of women in music videos. A hypothesis might be that women's roles in rock videos are restricted to being sex objects, without self-determination, freedom or humanity.

Several clips are presented to help students examine this concept:
Love in an Elevator - Aerosmith
Young Girl Bluez - Vince Neil
Truck Load A Girls - Shabba Ranks
Dirty Little Mind  - Jackyl
Look Good  - Johnny P
Girls Girls Girls - Motley Crue

Naomi Wolf, author of The Beauty Myth, states that the harm to teens watching such videos is that these are the only versions of females sexuality that young girls and boys get conditioned to. Boys expect their girlfriends to look like the women in videos. Girls think they can't be sexual unless they look like Miss July.
The images described by Naomi Wolf are taken from:
California Girls - David Lee Roth
Sister of Pain  - Vince Neil
Poundcake  Van Halen
Students can examine Wolf's statement in light of these examples, then in light of their own experiences with music videos. Such a debate might also expand to the treatment of women in popular teen movies and television shows.

The MuchMusic line producer suggests that the crime of sexism has shifted from Metal to Hip Hop videos.
Three examples are presented:
Skinny Dip  - Ed. O. G. & Da Bull Dogs
Move Something - 2 Live Crew
Baby Got Back - Sir Mix-a-lot
Shamrocks & Shenanigans - House of Pain

The use and effects of the words 'ho' and 'bitch' are examined in several interviews, both with males and females. DJ Lethal, of House of Pain, suggests that 'Ho' is just the word that falls into the sentence to make the whole thing rhyme. The experience and conditioning of such a statement might be examined in student discussion.
Four more examples of videos are sampled for student examination:
Gangsta Bitch - Apache
Recipe of a Ho - Boss
Shoop - SaltNPepper
Unity - Queen Latifa
Students can discuss the sexism in the video excerpts presented here. They might also bring in their own videos to class which they believe are examples of fair or unfair treatment of women. These can be screened and discussed.

Students can discuss if particular genres of videos, e.g. Metal, Alternative, Hip Hop, etc. are most or least guilty of spreading the message that women are sex objects.

Students might screen a clearly sexist video, then suggest remake alternatives to the stories and images that might represent the sexes more fairly. They might also consider that the genre or lyrics of the songs make it impossible to produce a fair representation from a particular song. 

Written by: Neil Andersen
Neil Andersen is an award-winning Curriculum Consultant with the Toronto District School Board. He is also a speaker and consultant in media and communications technology. His most recent work includes the Between the Lines CDs, the teachers' study guide for the award-winning Scanning Television, and study guides for Space, Bravo! and MuchMusic's Cable in the Classroom broadcasts of original media literacy programming.

For more information about MuchMusic's educational programming -- or to give us your feedback -- please contact: 

Calla Dewdney
Public Affairs Coordinator
CHUM Television
416-591-7400 x5940
callad@chumtv.com




MuchMediaLit
Listings

The following programs air at 4 am ET on MuchMusic on the dates indicated:

January 7, 2009 – Inside your Threads

Examines the working conditions of “sweatshop” employees in Mexico and Bangladesh and provides an updated perspective on this controversial issue for Canadian youth via music.   Viewers follow three Canadian recording artists, Sam Roberts, Hawksley Workman, and Jully Black, as they encounter Mexican and Bangladeshi youth struggling to earn a living wage at a variety of apparel factories.

January 14, 2009 – MuchTalks: The Bully Factor

A round-table discussion with an audience that examines why bullying happens in schools and what students, parents and teachers can do about it.  Includes accounts from Michelle Williams of Destiny's Child and Jo O'Meara of S Club 7, both former victims of bullying.

January 21, 2009 – MuchTalks: Teen Sex

MuchMusic provides an indepth look at teen sex.  A live studio audience and a panel of teens and experts - including renowned sex educator Sue Johanson - explore the issues:  the commercialization of sexuality, STDs, abstinence, and more

January 28, 2009 – MuchTalks: Violence

A lively debate about the culture of violence.  Topics include: violence in music, video games, movies, and other forms of media.

February 4, 2009 – Womaging

Explores the issue of body image, combining feedback from an expert in the field of body image with discussion by influential female artists including former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell and TLC.

February 11, 2009 – Inside your Threads

Examines the working conditions of “sweatshop” employees in Mexico and Bangladesh and provides an updated perspective on this controversial issue for Canadian youth via music.   Viewers follow three Canadian recording artists, Sam Roberts, Hawksley Workman, and Jully Black, as they encounter Mexican and Bangladeshi youth struggling to earn a living wage at a variety of apparel factories.

February 18, 2009 –  MuchTalks: Climate Change

MuchTalks: Climate Change explores what is arguably today’s most pressing environmental concern. VJ Hannah Simone and members of Sum 41 investigate the causes and impact of global warming, and highlight outstanding Canadian youth striving to make a difference. The documentary-style program also provides action steps and information for MuchMusic viewers who want to get involved and combat climate change.

February 24, 2009 – By Their Own Hand

"By Their Own Hand" examines the interrelation of creativity, depression and suicide. The program looks at a variety of music videos that address the subject of suicide, and interviews therapists, artists and critics to understand the connection between music, art, mood disorders and suicide.

March 4, 2009 - Much Talks: Too Hot or Not

Where do we draw the line when it comes to sexuality in music videos?  When does an image change from sexy to sexist?  MuchMusic examines this question with a live audience, panelists including video director Little X, and commentary from such sexy video stalwarts as Christina Aguilera, Britney Spears, and Madonna.

March 11, 2009 – Much Talks Body Image

Join MuchMusic for an in-depth look at body image and today's teens.  From plastic surgery and eating disorders to media images and self-esteem, MuchMusic looks at society's obsession with body image.

March 18, 2009 – Hip Hop Consciousness

Hip hop artists discuss their efforts to effect positive change in their community, and comment on the materialism prevalent in mainstream hip hop.  Controversial artists like Eminem and Dead Prez contribute to the debate.

March 25, 2009 - MuchTalks Climate Change

MuchTalks: Climate Change explores what is arguably today’s most pressing environmental concern. VJ Hannah Simone and members of Sum 41 investigate the causes and impact of global warming, and highlight outstanding Canadian youth striving to make a difference. The documentary-style program also provides action steps and information for MuchMusic viewers who want to get involved and combat climate change.

April 1, 2009– MuchTalks: Violence

A lively debate about the culture of violence.  Topics include: violence in music, video games, movies, and other forms of media.

April 8, 2009- MuchTalks: Too Hot or Not

Where do we draw the line when it comes to sexuality in music videos?  When does an image change from sexy to sexist?  MuchMusic examines this question with a live audience, panelists including video director Little X, and commentary from such sexy video stalwarts as Christina Aguilera, Britney Spears, and Madonna.

April 15, 2009– Rock Stars for Sale

It used to be that musicians lost credibility if they allied themselves with a commercial product.  Now, with the line between art and commerce becoming increasingly blurry (witness Gap's recent ad campaign), the NewMusic investigates what this all means to music, the music industry, and music consumers.

April 22, 2009- Queer and Now

A special episode of The NewMusic investigates what it means to be gay in today's music industry.

April 29, 2009- MuchTalks: The Bully Factor

A round-table discussion with an audience that examines why bullying happens in schools and what students, parents and teachers can do about it.  Includes accounts from Michelle Williams of Destiny's Child and Jo O'Meara of S Club 7, both former victims of bullying.

May 6, 2009 – MuchTalks: Teen Sex

MuchMusic provides an indepth look at teen sex.  A live studio audience and a panel of teens and experts - including renowned sex educator Sue Johanson - explore the issues:  the commercialization of sexuality, STDs, abstinence, and more.

May 6, 2009 -  The NewMusic: Female Imaging Now

Female musicians seem to be relying on sexuality more than ever to promote themselves.  What influence is this having on their young female fans?

May 13, 2009 - Womaging

Explores the issue of body image, combining feedback from an expert in the field of body image with discussion by influential female artists including former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell and TLC.

May 20, 2009 - Inside your Threads

Examines the working conditions of “sweatshop” employees in Mexico and Bangladesh and provides an updated perspective on this controversial issue for Canadian youth via music.   Viewers follow three Canadian recording artists, Sam Roberts, Hawksley Workman, and Jully Black, as they encounter Mexican and Bangladeshi youth struggling to earn a living wage at a variety of apparel factories.

May 27, 2009 - MuchTalks: Body Image

Join MuchMusic for an in-depth look at body image and today's teens.  From plastic surgery and eating disorders to media images and self-esteem, MuchMusic looks at society's obsession with body image.

 

 

 






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