328489
Musical exploration: Sexual objectification of women
Henry Ross, BS,
College of Nursing; College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Heather Blunt, PhD, MPH, CPH, CHES,
College of Education and Health Professions; Department of Health, Human Performance and Recreation, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR
Popular music videos are often indicative of characteristics that are similar to viewers’ culture and social norms. Hip hop and rap music, which are particularly popular within the African-American community, often reflect a sexually degenerate culture, promoting promiscuity and disregarding safe sexual practices. Music plays an important role in the exchange of values and information, and sets the precedent for accepted and copied behaviors. This artistic expression, while reflective of deeper societal issues, increasingly confers an objectified perspective of black women, with acts of gender violence and sexual exploitation. A novel measure for media-based sexual explicitness (ME) was used to guide qualitative analysis of lyrical and visual content from 20 hip hop and rap music videos. This process yielded multiple themes that pertain to sexual objectification and violence toward women (e.g. demoralizing content and sex trafficking). Addressing current societal issues regarding female sexual objectification requires a multifaceted approach to identify the source of these ideals and how they affect the viewing audience. In efforts to reduce public health concerns regarding women's sexual health, this approach involves taking a closer look at covert and overt messages within the hip hop and rap genres.
Learning Areas:
Diversity and culture
Learning Objectives:
Demonstrate use of ME measure in lyrical and visual qualitative analysis.
Identify and discuss relevant music video segments.
Formulate increased awareness of public health issues through close examination of video content.
Keyword(s): Sexuality, Sexual Risk Behavior
Presenting author's disclosure statement:Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: During my studies at the University of South Florida, I was a research assistant and group facilitator on multiple research projects. These projects were focused on women's sexual health, with a focus on gender violence, sexual exploitation and sexually transmitted diseases. I am currently an HIV Outreach Specialist at DACCO, where I focus on education, outreach, prevention, testing and linkage to care for HIV positive clients.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines,
and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed
in my presentation.
