I have just read this article discussing this phenomenon of increasing "sexualisation" in popular culture today, with particular references to female artistes such as Lady Gaga, Christina Aguilera, Miley Cyrus and Madonna. (Article link: http://new.music.yahoo.com/blogs/videogaga/38803/xtina-gets-dirrty-againbut-is-it-just-too-much/) So just 2 points to ponder over with regards to this topic.
1. This phenomenon definitely reaffirms the age-old notion regarding gender inequality, as the focus of sexuality with regards to entertainment performances seems to be mostly on female artistes. Sure, we may see Korean star Rain stripping again in his latest MV despite the song being a ballad, but that is still among the minority as most female artistes, regardless of nationality, is expected to construct a sexy image, either currently to boost their careers or in the future to represent a more mature transformation to womanhood. Examples will include Yao Yao and Jolin Tsai. The fact that such an observation is consistent in both the Eastern and Western entertainment scenes reflects the prevalence of such a notion across nationalities and cultures.
2. Other than reflecting gender inequality, the "sexualisation" of popular culture today also reveals a notion which I will term as "lazy creativity". Across most modern cultures in the world today, sex remains a topic of sensitivity in varying degress within different societies. In the entertainment scene, where conceptual revolutions and creative breakthroughs are eagerly sought after, pushing the lines of sexual boundaries is often the most convenient way to surprise and sensationalize the consumer public whose interest and attention span are rapidly declining in this modern age of instant gratification. The need is constantly and instantly satisfy such a consumer market and the greed to reap profits in the fastest possible manner are certainly some of the motivational factors towards what we see today as the "sexualisation" of the popular culture.
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