I hate life.

uDuring the period of 1980 until now, how have women been portrayed in pop culture?

Historical Context

Beginning in the 1980's women started being seen as "sex symbols" in society. This is partially due to both women gaining freedom and independence within their lives, and women such as Madonna and Christina Amphlett becoming prominent in the pop culture scene. From there women transformed into the "modern day" woman, and relished in their new found rise of momentum.

Document 1

Source: Photograph of 1980's pop sensation, Madonna, 1980's.

Document 2

Source: Jenna Mittelmeier, a writer for The University Daily Kansan, an article titled A Generation of Sex Symbols, 2007.

Progressing way past the days of Elvis' hip shaking, today's society is no stranger to sexuality and controversy. From the Internet age of celebrity pornography (Paris Hilton, Chyna Doll, etc.) to Janet Jackson's 2004 "wardrobe malfunction,*" we have far surpassed subway grates and short white dresses. In today's age, tabloids are no stranger to crotch shots of women without underwear (Britney Spears, anyone?) or women kissing women at the Video Music Awards.

*In the 2004 Superbowl half time show, Janet Jackson's top "fell down" exposing one of her breasts. Her agent and other sources claimed it was not a planned stunt, but instead a "wardrobe malfunction."

Document 3

Source: Various Musicians lyrics

Oh you don't think you need game, homey you better have it
Cause women cheat like men, only they better at it
You kiss your girl on the cheek, thinkin' she sweet
She got a man to meet at least for every day of the week
RHYMEFEST All girls cheat, American Hip Hop band, 2006.

I'm a Barbie girl in the Barbie world
Life in plastic, it's fantastic
You can brush my hair, undress me everywhere
Imagination, life is your creation
I'm a blonde single girl in the fantasy world
Dress me up, take your time, I'm your dolly
You're my doll, rock and roll, feel the glamour and pain
Kiss me here, touch me there, hanky-panky
AQUA "Barbie Girl", Popular Bubble Gum Dance Band, 1997.

I wouldn't if I were you
I know what she can do
She's deadly man, she could really rip your world apart
Mind over matter
Ooh, the beauty is there but a beast is in the heart
(Oh-oh, here she comes) Watch out boy she'll chew you up
(Oh-oh, here she comes) She's a maneater
(Oh-oh, here she comes) Watch out boy she'll chew you up
(Oh-oh, here she comes) She's a maneater
HALL & OATES "Maneater", a "rock and soul" band from Pennsylvania that gained most of their fame during the 70's and 80's.

Document 4

Source: Picture of Matel's Barbie doll, early 1990's version.

Document 5

Source: Swami Ram Charran, a writer, from the novel The Power of a Woman, 1990's.

In today's world of chaos, turmoil, and destruction; only a restored respect for women can rescue this world out of distress and take it out of its present predicament towards a new century of peace and love. A woman is needed in a leadership position to perform this task. Wherever the woman is disrespected chaos exists in that location. Did you ever stop to think what would happen if today there were no women in the world.

Document 6

Source: Elizabeth Wurtzel, female American writer and actress, from New York Time's bestseller Bitch, 1998.

"The biggest problem that women have is being ambivalent about their own power, ... We should be comfortable with the idea of wielding power. We shouldn't feel that it detracts from our femininity."

Document 7

Source: Stephen Stills, an American musician, from an interview with Rolling Stones Magazine, late 1990's.

There are three things men can do with women: love them, suffer for them, or turn them into literature.

Document 8

Source: Anonymous post by user LoveShark Baby, Inc., from Yahoo Answers, 2008.

In the 1900s: Woman, where's my food?
In the 1910s: No, you can't vote
In the 1920s: OK, you can vote, but no smoking
In the 1930s: DOOOH - I said no smoking, but OK, if you insist
In the 1940s: Thanks for the "Dear John" letter. That's just what I needed here in this piss-filled trench
In the 1950s: I said, Woman where's my food?
In the 1960s: Woman where's your bra?
In the 1970s: Woman where are you going?
In the 1980s: Child Support? You make twice as much as I do!
In the 1990s: OK, The SitComs and TV ads have me convinced - we men really are doofuses (sic). You win. I'll sit here on the Barcalounger™, being hopelessly irrelevant.

Document 9

Source: Borat, a satirical character from popular the British show, Da Ali G Show, broadcasted in America, 2000's.

There are many job opportunities in the US and of A. For men, construction worker, taxi driver or accountant. For woman, prostitute.

Document 10

Source: Post from Anonymous, from the Rantings of a Young Man in a Feminized Society, May 2006.

"What's money? A man is a success if he gets up in the morning and goes to bed at night and in between does what he wants to do." Bob Dylan
Sadly though, I find that a significant number of men slaving away are not doing it for themselves, but they are doing it because of their nagging wives. They had to move into the suburbs, buy a house with a white picket fence that was way beyond what he could afford. He had to buy the gas guzzling minivan and SUV. Then come the kids. She wants them to go the the (sic) fancy private schools, away from the inner city riff-raff (most likely the offspring of the badboys she used to *sleep with* when she was younger). Then it's ballet and dance recitals, little league baseball and football, and then you have to start putting money away for their college education. From marriage until death, he will always be making payments of some sort. A sad existance (sic) indeed. That is no way to live life.(*edit*)

Document 11

Source: Anonymous male, from a blog American Women Suck, 2008.

I am not angry with American women. I merely pity them. I pity them for embracing feminism without any critical thought. I pity them for making men the enemy and not loving partners. I pity them for their unsuccessful struggle with their own rules. I pity them for not understanding that life is about compromise and that compromise is not weakness.