Blog #1 -- Ain't Your Mama
Prompt 1: The cultural artifact that I decided to represent women in today’s society is the music video called "Ain't your mama” by Jennifer Lopez. The music video contains several versions of Jennifer Lopez transposed into different settings where women aren't treated equally to men: a 1950's kitchen, a 1960's office, a 1970's factory, and a 1980's executive boardroom. It shows the women in those eras saying"no," to the men in their lives--husbands, bosses, and colleagues--and refusing to be looked down upon.
Prompt 2: This video shows how women have had enough of being treated unfairly. They are fighting back against the men who are wanting to control them. Jennifer Lopez main lyrics are saying how she does not want to be in charge of cleaning or cooking for the “man of the house.” She wants the man to get up and do things on his own without being lazy. In the 1960’s office, it clearly shows how she does not want to be sexualized by other men when she catches the man staring at her cleavage. In the 1970’s factory, women are tired of following guidelines to the man boss who is a man so they fight back by breaking glass bottles. In the 1980’s executive boardroom a man takes her folder and closes the door behind her. This shows how this is common to today when the man takes credit for the work that women do. Overall, towards the end, all women team up to demonstrate to the whole world that they are done being treated unfairly.
Prompt 3: When I first saw the video it made me realize how nothing has changed in how we see masculinity or femininity. Although we say gender roles have changed, some still remain. As for me personally, my mother is still teaching me that I should be the one to cook, clean, and maintain the children while the father is supposed to go to work and then come home to just sit, eat and rest. I believe that we should stop following these roles and instead have people split duties. As for me, when it comes to me having children, I am going to teach my husband that we need to equally clean, cook, and take care of the children. As for my children, I will teach my daughter that she should never feel the need to depend on a man, she should instead work for herself and to have her side of money. While my son, he should treat all women with respect and appreciate for all the hard work they will both accomplish with life because one person cannot always be holding the relationship. Instead, two people need to work together in order to keep the relationship going.
Prompt 4: The cultural object would be the music video by Jennifer Lopez, “Ain’t your mama.” The social world would be either the whole world since it involves men and women. The creators or producers would be Jennifer Lopez or the ones who helped make the song which was also Meghan Trainor. I believe the intended audience is towards all women in general because it is teaching them that everyone should be treated equally and not based on their gender or to who they identify themselves as.
I agree with you Joselin. I was raised with the same ideas as you. My mother treated us differently according to our gender. For example, I had different chores than my brother. I had to clean the house, laundry and wash the dishes while my brother only had to walk our dog. Also, my mom used to tell me that I could not play with my brother because he had to play with same gender. He was not allowed to play with the same toys as I was. However, I do believe that these ideas are slowly changing. They might still be relevant in a very traditional household but I feel like now women are more aware that they can challenge their gender role.
ReplyDeleteHi Joselin,
ReplyDeleteI think your cultural artifact was a great representation of the inequality women have faced overtime and the message within the song is exactly the kind of change we need. I grew up listening to J-Lo but actually have never heard this song so I was a bit amazed by not only the portrayal but also the representation, and the way it ended with a women’s march. I experience the same comments from my family as well and sometimes it gets on my nerves because I don’t enjoy cleaning, I can’t cook and I definitely can’t and will not stay cooped up all day watching the kids. I agree with what you said about there being split duties and how to raise the child(ren). I get a bit disappointed with the way my family raises the kids but I’m happy to say at least I recognize the differences and change can start with me.
Hello Joselin,
ReplyDeleteGreat post on analyzing the gender roles that have been set for men and women and expressing how Jennifer Lopez managed to flip the script through a music video. It is unfortunate that for decades and even today women and men (mostly women) feel compelled to abide to certain societal norms. I am sorry that you had to experience such norms in your own household, but it is great that you acknowledge that you are much more than being in a home cleaning and cooking!