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Abstract

Part of listening to popular music is complaining about it: Why is mainstream music so dreadful? . . . so repetitive? . . . and so the argument goes. Popular culture producers argue that they do not force-feed the public or “dupe” listeners into liking awful music. They are simply giving consumers what they want, or they are trying to figure out what consumers want. This paper explores the issue while focusing on gender and popular culture, by asking whether popular music producers and listeners agree or disagree regarding the types of artistic representations that are valuable. I find they do not, especially when it comes to female music listeners and female artist types. According to the production of culture perspective, demands of production and pursuit of market share usurp accommodating listeners, which includes overemphasis on gender stereotypes that are less popular with female consumers. Discussion includes suggestions as to why certain gendered patterns emerge in popular culture production and consumption.

Keywords

popular music culture gender

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Gender and Popular Culture

Abstract

Keywords

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References