STYLE
From Issue #5
The Lolita Image
The Double Standards of Style
By Terry Lynn W.
Looking
at the extent of the media attention given to the image of female teen pop singers, it is obvious
that a sexist way of thinking still exists. How can the media
and the public be critical of the Britney's, Christina's and
Jessica's of the world for their wardrobe, (or lack thereof),
but not be critical of the LFO's, Backstreet Boys and 98 Degrees?
These
male groups also embrace the 'less is more' wardrobe when it
comes to their concerts, videos and photos but the media backlash
is not there.
Female sexuality has always been a topical issue: how far can
a woman take her sexuality before it becomes bad taste? Why
do males get away with baring their chests without coming under
fire by critics?
"I definitely think that everything has its time,"
says Anastasia, one half of the Montreal duo Sky. "But
it's her (Britney) body and no one told her she had to dress
more sexy. It comes down to what the masses do with it. It becomes
a reflection of our society. If you were exposed to more European
cultures you would see far more sexuality and no one seems to
have a problem with it there."
The image Britney projects is partly the idea of her promoters
who are savvy enough to know that the Lolita image can enhance
her career. Her music may be deep-rooted in the teen market
but her image crosses over into the adult market where she is
often shown on adult magazine covers posing seductively while
still maintaining an 'innocence'.
No matter what we may think of Britney, this marketing ploy
has worked in her favour in terms of commercial success. Promoters
know that selling these Pop artists as a fantasy boy or girlfriend
to their fans can only enhance their appeal, despite the talent
these groups may or may not have.
It was their video for 'Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)'
that showed the Backstreet Boys in all their (mock) striptease
glory. It was enough beefcake to rival the female singers' cheesecake,
but the boys have become less blatant over the years.
Were we really shocked when Britney executed a striptease on
the MTV Awards? I.d. are an up-and-coming vocal group based
in Toronto. Twenty-two-year-old group member, Gary, believes
that there is a difference between the way that female artists
and male groups use their sexuality.
Gary explains, "With the girls...Britney and Christina...they've
got half tops and they are pretty much naked. There's one thing
with sex appeal and there's another with flaunting your sex
appeal. I think with the boy groups...there might be one or
two groups out there where they are all naked (Blink 182) or
have their shirts off...but the majority of them don't. I don't
see B4-4, N'Sync or anybody in concert or at award shows take
off their shirt. They come across very sexual but that's sex
appeal...you can't help it. If that's your personality it's
gonna come out. Britney and Christina are actually using sex
as a tool to sell. Being uncovered and wearing practically nothing...I
think it's the vanity of the girls."
The reality is that if artists are adults they should be allowed
to dress any way they choose. However, if criticism is directed
towards the female, then the male should come under fire as
well.
For example when, then 16-year-old, Moffatts drummer, Bob, appeared
in nothing more than his boxers in the video, 'Girl of My Dreams',
it hardly caused a ruffle. There was no media backlash that
said that he was too young to be appearing half-naked lying
on a bed. Would the reaction have been different if 16-year-old
Mandy Moore was lying half-naked on the bed?
"There is no backlash because of the simple fact that they
are male. Males who go around topless are still considered respectable
because they have been doing it for so long," states 17-year-old
Torontonian, Ammee.
Nader, a 15-year-old Britney fan, says, "I think that Britney
is an honest person. I went to her concert and I don't think
that her clothes are sleazy. She wears those things to keep
cool…the girls like to look at the boys just the way that
the guys like to look at the girls. I don't think that there
is anything wrong with what any of these artists are wearing."
Tina, a 13-year-old LFO fan proves that girls also have double
standards. "I saw LFO in concert recently and they were
hot! The fact that Brad and Devin took off their shirts was
an added bonus." However, at the mention of Britney Spears,
Tina shrieks, "Ewww! Britney is a skank. She walks around
half naked."
I then point out that what she finds disgusting in Britney she
found appealing in LFO.
Without missing a beat she answers, "LFO are talented...they
can sing, unlike Britney, who needs to strip because she has
no talent."
There will always be a difference of opinion when it comes to
the images that pop stars project. But if we are going to get
into debates about the subject let us make sure that we level
the playing field and modify our critical thinking. In fact,
let's just start thinking and using our better judgment, after
all, what we do, what we say and what we wear is still ultimately
up to us. We have to expand our minds because how we perceive
female or male artists can be a reflection of how we view each
other.
