Since its release in 1965, “Respect” has been used by various parties to represent different causes, all of which challenge the original song’s notion of the respect of women. Despite of this, the feminist agenda remains to empower and respect women in all aspects of society. The song allowed for a new portrayal of women which eradicated the common perception of women as purely housewives and members who should be dominated by men.
Franklin’s iconic song “Respect” was one of several sparks that eventually set fire to the hegemony that was present in America and the world at the time. The idea that women’s roles were in the home and “real” jobs were left to men and that women were weaker and inferior to their counterparts (men). The new ideology being created due to Franklin’s song was that women were stronger and more capable than they had previously been given credit for, and that they should earn respect for it. The song “Respect” completely shifted the perception of women at the time. The male gaze to observe the women as incapable of being respected was transformed into that of female gaze striving to be respect in a male dominated society.
Aretha Franklin’s song “Respect” had a tremendous societal significant at that time, for it shifted the cultural portrayal of a women. The song’s lyrics rise the question of how women are treated and how they should be treated. The words “All I’m askin’ is for a little respect when you get home” highlight the double standards of that time. The women were treated as purely housewives that received no respect. However, they no longer wanted that role, but instead wanted to be respected. The lyrics “is to give me my propers” clearly states the things that woman wanted and expected from society; in this way, she was defying the concept of ideological hegemony that women were supposed to be soft housewives. Through the song, Franklin was able to provide women with the ability to receive their respect, which the male hegemony prevented.
The creation of Franklin’s “Respect” represents the feminist goal to shift cultural perspectives of women. The hierarchical structure set by the dominant male groups that “discouraged women from their own creativity and myth-making” was beginning to crumble, since a new wave of feminist ideas was coming forth. To conclude, the song “Respect” is a pioneer feminist idea that shifted the perception of women as soft housewives into strong hardworking women that deserved Respect.
Franklin’s iconic song “Respect” was one of several sparks that eventually set fire to the hegemony that was present in America and the world at the time. The idea that women’s roles were in the home and “real” jobs were left to men and that women were weaker and inferior to their counterparts (men). The new ideology being created due to Franklin’s song was that women were stronger and more capable than they had previously been given credit for, and that they should earn respect for it. The song “Respect” completely shifted the perception of women at the time. The male gaze to observe the women as incapable of being respected was transformed into that of female gaze striving to be respect in a male dominated society.
Aretha Franklin’s song “Respect” had a tremendous societal significant at that time, for it shifted the cultural portrayal of a women. The song’s lyrics rise the question of how women are treated and how they should be treated. The words “All I’m askin’ is for a little respect when you get home” highlight the double standards of that time. The women were treated as purely housewives that received no respect. However, they no longer wanted that role, but instead wanted to be respected. The lyrics “is to give me my propers” clearly states the things that woman wanted and expected from society; in this way, she was defying the concept of ideological hegemony that women were supposed to be soft housewives. Through the song, Franklin was able to provide women with the ability to receive their respect, which the male hegemony prevented.
The creation of Franklin’s “Respect” represents the feminist goal to shift cultural perspectives of women. The hierarchical structure set by the dominant male groups that “discouraged women from their own creativity and myth-making” was beginning to crumble, since a new wave of feminist ideas was coming forth. To conclude, the song “Respect” is a pioneer feminist idea that shifted the perception of women as soft housewives into strong hardworking women that deserved Respect.
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