How were women portrayed in the lyrics of popular early 2000s songs?

Abstract

This research aimed to analyze the portrayal of women in popular early 2000s music, focusing on misogynistic stereotypes. A selection of 10 popular songs from the years 2000 to 2009 was analyzed, and operational definitions were used to identify and quantify the presence of stereotypes in the lyrics. Graphs were generated to illustrate the most common stereotypes regarding women in this music.

The findings supported past trends and the hypothesis, revealing that women were often depicted in a demeaning, infantilizing manner. The prevalent use of terms like "baby" or "girl" portrayed them as immature, reinforcing gender stereotypes of women being weaker and in need of male guidance and protection. Such infantilization limited opportunities, undermined autonomy, and contributed to a culture of sexism and misogyny. Furthermore, popular early 2000s music frequently sexualized women, reducing them to physical objects and perpetuating harmful gender norms.

Comparing the research to prior studies on hip-hop and rap music, it was evident that popular early 2000s music also dehumanized and degraded women through stereotypes. However, unlike hip-hop and rap, this genre did not exhibit the same level of violence in its lyrics.

This research highlights the negative portrayal of women in popular early 2000s music and emphasizes the potential impact on societal attitudes, particularly on the millennial generation and Generation Alpha. Addressing these issues is essential for promoting gender equality and challenging harmful stereotypes in popular music and beyond. Further research could explore changes in stereotypes over time by analyzing music from later decades and different genres.

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