Increasingly sexy? Sexuality and sexual objectification in popular music videos, 1995–2016.

Abstract

We conducted a longitudinal visual content analysis of 462 popular music videos from 1995 to 2016 analyzing the depictions of sexuality, sexual objectification, and ambiguous sexual expression. Our analysis paid attention to the gender and race of the musical artist in each video, as well as the video's music genre. Regression analyses revealed that depicted sexuality and sexual objectification did not change during the period studied. However, ambiguous sexual expression, including sexual gestures, sexual poses, and sexual facial expressions, did increase over time. Furthermore, female music artists were more often portrayed as sexually objectified than male artists. Male artists were more likely shown to objectify other individuals compared with female artists. Moreover, Black and non-White artists were more often shown presenting ambiguous sexual expression than White/Caucasian artists. No significant differences occurred when comparing music videos from the R&B/hip-hop/rap genres with music videos from the pop genre. Our findings are discussed in the light of objectification theory and social-cognitive theory leading to suggestions for future research. Public Policy Relevance StatementOur study shows that depictions of sexuality and sexual objectification continue to be a ubiquitous element of mainstream music culture. Moreover, depictions of ambiguous sexual expression increased over time. Overall, our findings suggest that today's music videos might increase selfobjectification, stereotypical gender role beliefs, and self-sexualizing behavior among adolescents and young adults.

Nudity of Male and Female Characters in Television Advertising Across 13 Countries

“…Showing male and older primary characters with more dress than younger and female ones can be interpreted as gender stereotyping. Moreover, nudity of younger female models can also be critically discussed in terms of sexual objectification (Karsay et al, 2018(Karsay et al, , 2019. If women, especially young ones, are depicted with less dress than men, then they may be associated with physical appearance rather than other attributes.…”

Popular Music Media Literacy: Recommendations for the Education Curriculum

“…Music genre and racial differences in sexual content are also prevalent. Hip hop, rap, R&B, soul, and pop music contain higher levels of sexual content compared with other music genres (Flynn et al, 2016;Smiler et al, 2017;Terry et al, 2016;Turner, 2011;Wright & Qureshi, 2015), and minority music artists are more likely to display sexual content in their music in comparison with White artists (Karsay, Matthes, Buchsteiner, et al, 2018).…”

“…Music videos frequently sexualize and objectify women (Aubrey & Frisby, 2011;Ross & Coleman, 2011;Turner, 2011;Wallis, 2011). While there was no reported change in the level of depicted sexuality and sexual objectification in popular music videos between 1995 and 2016, ambiguous sexual expressions have increased (i.e., sexual gestures, sexual poses, sexual facial expressions; Karsay, Matthes, Buchsteiner, & Grosser, 2018). Male artists are more likely to include sexual content in their music and to objectify both males and females compared with female artists (Smiler et al, 2017).…”

“…Male artists are more likely to include sexual content in their music and to objectify both males and females compared with female artists (Smiler et al, 2017). Female artists are more likely to be portrayed as sexually objectified compared with male artists (Karsay, Matthes, Buchsteiner, et al, 2018) and are more likely to objectify themselves (Flynn et al, 2016). Additional sexual references in music include sex as a priority for men, sexual violence, women defined by "having a man," simulated sexual acts, and sexual innuendos (Andsager & Roe, 2003;Bretthauer, Zimmerman, & Banning, 2007).…”

“…This perspective, known as self-objectification, results from habitually engaging in body surveillance where individuals monitor their own body in comparison with cultural ideals (Fredrickson & Roberts, 1997; McKinley & Hyde, 1996). Exposure to sexual content in popular music may be related to increased self-objectification and self-sexualizing behaviors among female consumers (Aubrey & Gerding, 2015; Karsay & Matthes, 2016; Karsay, Matthes, Platzer, et al, 2018; Trekels, Karsay, Eggermont, & Vandenbosch, 2018). In fact, even limited exposure to sexual content has a significant impact on self-objectification (Roberts & Gettman, 2004).…”