Ariel Levy’s argument in her article tries to argue how on a raunch culture women tend to engage themselves in sexuality performances, which are not usually their sexuality expressions but are premeditated for the pleasure the males in the society or appear as if they are trying to be pleasurable sex objects. She puts across the notion of the female chauvinist pig representing women working the masculine mentalities.
The author's main purpose of writing this article is to convince readers and even critics that the American culture has taken a sinister turn especially when it comes to the female sexuality. She also tries to portray how anti-feminist cultural agenda perpetrators are influencing “female chauvinist pigs.”
The author challenges and in some cases makes fun of the new culture’s sexualization by how women tend to feel empowered by objectifying themselves. Obviously, these women mentioned such as Britney Spears would not admit to doing this; however, in exchange for the phrase “empower” from “objectify,” how is this exactly empowering? It is true that the new culture requires every woman to decide on whether to be part of that culture or not? Nonetheless, what about who chose not to be part of that culture? Will they feel less empowered or more? Are they the ones called the prudes of the society? The point forces the query of how women chose to present themselves going back to the point that they still present themselves in the community to the male gaze and find ways to feed or not in it. Perchance, women knowing that they are in control of their body are what negates the materialization of it.
I agree with the author’s point of view regarding the similarity between the “tomming” phenomenon especially in the American antebellum periods and how the new trend has taken a new sense of direction with the success of the female chauvinist pigs. Levy points out how the trend has persisted with the new generational women wielding their success by imitating the traits of the exalted groups (in particular, men). I support her claims of how detrimental this behavior can be to feminism. If all women insist on emulating the perceived male traits, will there be a single day that feminine characteristics might in the future hold some power on its own without any compromisation?
Question 2
The culture of “Raunch” as defined by Levy is the blatant sexualization of women in the society. It is a culture that has not only become a norm in America but as a social idea whereby the world is built on sexual-self exhibition of women. The “Raunch” culture has managed to exploit the popular culture, the streets, and social lives of citizens. The Television channels are filled with strippers showing how to satisfy men needs while some showing women in tight, revealing uniforms. It has also affected female musicians, especially in their music videos, for example, Britney Spears becoming much more famous due to remaining almost unclothed in her videos (Ariel 143). In the streets, young girls probably around fifteen-year-olds, wearing cut jeans that reveal their butt cleavages while also putting on mini tops that show all their breast implants and pierced navels or wearing t-shirts written in front “PLAYBOY.” Levy further defines “Raunchy” culture as being addictive as it influenced most of her friends to start visiting strip clubs and get captivated by porn stars. At some point, it also managed to influence her whereby she commenced using the word “chicks” instead of “woman,” which she was accustomed to Wesleyan University that had strict language policy.
Work Cited
Ariel, Levi. Female Chauvinist Pigs: Women and The Rise Of Raunch Culture. Simon " Schuster UK; New Ed Edition, 2006.
