Lady Gaga's Influence On Rape Culture

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Ever since, sex has been part of culture and society - either as a biological process of reproduction or as a way of fulfilling sexual desires. Given this important role of sex in every culture, it is relevant to outline different definitions of sex made by men and women. In former times, women were rather seen as bodies existing only to fulfill men's sexual desires. Indeed, women did not perceive themselves as being on the same level as men and thus, having the same sexual desires as their counterparts. Therefore, scholars draw exactly here the fine line between rape - the act of forcing the woman to have sex - and sex that both parties want and enjoy. In fact, rape laws did exist only to the extend to protect the virginity of young daughters, …show more content…

Music and music videos have always been an interesting form of contemporary popular culture and thus, always delivers a kind of message to an undefinable mass. Given this significant influence, it is relevant to outline how music is used to deliver such powerful messages. In the context of rape culture, it is important to figure out how to best highlight such a precarious but highly relevant issue since it influences every member of any culture. Although men have also been victims of rape, this paper will start with an examination of women's treatment and sexual acceptance by society since rape started with the wrong social classification of women. Given female historical consideration, it can then be analyzed how this wrong treatment emerged in a culture called 'rape culture'. Consequently, characteristics and effects on victims can be scrutinized giving a detailed meaning to rape culture. Further, the process of socialization of young men living in fraternities and brotherhoods will be taken into account in order to outline the way how a 'frat-life' can influence harshly the way of treating women. In the following, it will be of importance to offer a detailed overview about the content of the documentary The Hunting Ground not only to contextualize Gaga's song but also to indicate her purpose of writing it. After having focused on the documentary, the song itself will be scrutinized, analyzing the usage of language as well as the graphic content of the music video. It will be then possible to outline how Gaga addresses to the victims and how Gaga handled such a precarious social problem. Finally, the term paper will offer a conclusion underlining the effects of Lady Gaga's song on

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