It’s nothing new to say that Britney Spears goes against feminist ideals.
By the 1:37 minute mark on Spears’ new music video, “Womanizer,” which is supposed to hail her comeback into mainstream pop trash, she isn’t using her new status for a transformation. She is not Madonna. I found it difficult to reconcile her one-word lyrics with her actions in the video.
She sings with contempt about her man being a womanizer, and yet every scene where a penis is onscreen, she is on top of it, gyrating against it, but tries to give the viewer the message that it is OK. But, no, it is not OK.
First, let’s consider the audience for this video. This video probably appeals mostly to heterosexual ‘tweens and teenagers of both sexes, but most likely for very different reasons. I don’t think I would actually like my 10-year-old cousin to watch this video, and mimic the actions that take place in it.
It is no longer a secret that children learn how to behave in social environments and form interpersonal relationships based on what they see on TV. Shouldn’t the people who are on the tube the most be a positive influence? Why is it always the opposite?
Also, I would feel ashamed to show this video to my grandmother, because Spears, as a role model and media producer, is ultimately setting the foundation for what we–as a generation and a youth culture–consider important. Look grandma, we like tight leather, raunchy dance moves and, apparently, square-shaped eggs sunny-side up. Have we become so static as a consumer culture that we are now recycling the same thing from 1996? It wasn’t even good back then.
Next, let’s talk about the roles that Ms. Britney personifies. She might be espousing some sort of empowerment to women about calling out her man for ogling other women, but throughout the video, she puts herself in roles that are economically and culturally subordinate to men. She dresses up as a secretary, a server at a restaurant and a high-class driver.
Much like her flight attendant shtick in her video “Toxic,” Spears is demonstrating that the only way to stick it to the man is to act in accordance to the social structures provided. Men are paramount and women serve to please the chief.
Spears also appears nude in this video. This is also nothing new. And actually I find it the most noncontroversial thing about this video. Nudity, in this instance, doesn’t qualify for adding to, or harming, the message.
The point that hurts the most is while I understand “Womanizer” isn’t intended to be a large leap for womanhood, it feels like we are stepping back and accepting this as art–low art, but art nonetheless. This is as if it actually deserves to be among the marketplace of ideas to begin with.
That being said, I am one to be on the side of more art, however against the message it might be, it is better than stifling art. While I might not want my 10-year-old cousin to memorize the dance moves, I see value with myself and my peers dissecting the video to point out the flaws in the things that we covet. And that is what all worthy art should aim for.
With all my criticism, I actually like the video. It’s fluff but nothing is wrong with enjoying it as long as you understand the underlying implications. I dislike it because it chooses to shield reality and promotes unhealthy fantasies.
Spears’ real life of a messy divorce, child custody battles and rehab for drug addiction isn’t sexy at all. It is ultimately tragic. Again, the difference between my 10-year-old cousin and me is that I realize the sexy, faux-empowerment fun ends once the music stops.