Date of Award

2018

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Social Sciences

First Advisor

Hernandez, Sarah

Area of Concentration

Sociology

Abstract

This study examines the extent to which the lyrics of popular music portray sexual consent and beliefs and behaviors that contribute to the reproduction of rape culture. Using content analysis, I explore the top 20 U.S. Billboard songs each year from 2013-2017 (n=100). Based on the selected definitions of sexual consent and rape culture, the lyrics were coded for explicit and implicit mentions of sex, asking/telling consent, assumed consent, coercion, objectification, being overcome with lust, alcohol, and drugs.,. Chi-square tests demonstrated a significant correlation between the presence of sex in a song being accompanied by alcohol, assumed consent, coercion, drugs, objectification, and being overcome with lust. The findings show that popular music's portrayal of sexual consent is minimal, instead tending to portray behaviors that disallow consent (drugs, alcohol, coercion, assumed consent) in conjunction with sex; therefore these lyrics reinforce rape culture. Furthermore, songs that exclude sex also contribute to the objectification of women and hence facilitate the reproduction of rape culture. Future research on the impact of these messages is proposed, as is the importance of media literacy education for teens.

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