Hard Out Here Gender Analysis

Gender ideologies are present in many of the popular culture industry’s music videos. For example, males are represented according to a specific ideology of masculinity, which often associates them with power. Conversely, women are portrayed as sexual objects. According to Professor Duong, Althusser says that “ideology is a system of the ideas and representations that dominate the mind of a social group.” “Forms of media culture, such as music, provide role and gender models and lifestyle images” (Duong 2014). In this way, music videos demonstrate proper and improper behavior for men and women. One particular example that provides role and gender models is Lily Allen’s video “Hard Out Here”. In her music video, Allen satires the ways in which …show more content…
Professor Duong states how Gramsci’s essay describes “hegemony as the way in which domination is exerted onto subjugated classes by ruling.” Furthermore, it is the process by which the “subordinate classes consent to their own domination”. In this video, the ruling elite is the popular culture industry, and the females are consenting to their own domination. Gramsci says, “[it] dominates those which are its enemies…when it is in power it becomes dominant” (210). They are not accepting their objectification by others. Instead, they are objectifying themselves to demonstrate that they have the real power in the situation. Allen ridicules men’s attitudes, and therefore makes a counter-hegemonic statement. This occurs when subordinate classes consent to their own domination, and they often do so unconsciously or willingly. Allen stands next to a car fully clothed while the dancers are in minimal clothing twerking behind and under her. In this segment Allen is mocking men’s attitudes by slipping dollar bills into the bikini top of one counter-hegemonic, since the women face the camera directly and acknowledge and return the male gaze. In addition, the chorus says, “It is hard out here for a bitch.” The use of the word “bitch” can come off as offensive; furthermore it brings a woman’s worth down. Moreover, Allen is mocking the way the word is usually used. She is owning it. Although it can be offensive, Allen is trying to make a point by using that term. The dancers in this video are acting as they do in every other degrading video; they are symbolized as sexual bodies. The dancers in this video are wearing minimal clothing, are highly sexualized and are often crawling below Allen who is standing fully clothed throughout the video. By remaining fully clothed, she is associating