Interrelation of Gender and Contemporary Society: Madonna

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Main Body
Conclusion
Reference List

Introduction

If we have to speak about the issue of the interpretation of interrelation of gender and contemporary society, it is difficult to find more suitable and impressive example for the analysis than the iconic image of Madonna. There is no denying the fact that she may be considered a post modern feminine icon. However, the fact remains that the disclosure of this iconic figure may be exercised in different ways: Madonna as the embodiment of political indeterminacy and constant representation of prevalence of sexuality over political power or as a message for contemporary women, which reminds them that their task is to be sexual women of style. We think that these two points of view should be synthesized and, in this case, the correct statement will appear: the image of a post modern woman, as presented by Madonna, suggests a self- sufficient sexually attractive but socially active and powerful woman.

Main Body

In the first place, the explanation of the creation of this new image of a woman in society is necessary. In order to carry out the task, we should follow the evolution of a woman in society during the twentieth century. It is commonly known that the beginning of the century was marked by the intense development of the powerful trend called feminism, though the first prerequisites for this movement go back to the eighteenth century (Walters, 2005, p. 26). This movement underwent several stages, and each stage was marked by the central task for women. As the result of the first stage, women won the right to vote; feminism of the second generation was aimed at the acquisition of equal rights of men and women, especially it concerned access to work places and equal amounts of salary for the employees of both sexes (Walters, 2005). It may be stated that the tasks of both stages of feminism have been successfully completed, but here the question of contemporary stage arises.

Madonna presents a complex image of a contemporary woman who has accomplished the second stage of feminism and represents the ideal image of a contemporary woman. Her example vividly shows the difference between a modern woman and a woman of the second stage of feminism. Besides, it should be mentioned that the current stage may be called post feminism. Now it is possible to explain the emphasis on sexuality that was eliminated on the second stage. Today women have become successful businesswomen; they rule corporations and make serious decisions concerning finance and prosperity of the businesses. However, in their hunt and chase after independence, success, and financial prosperity women have overlooked the awful side effect of their activity. As the result they have almost become agamous, the difference between sexes started to vanish, women and men started moving to one common gender. Fortunately, it dawned upon humanity that this type of development is doomed to awful results, such as extinction. And here sexuality comes back as the salvation of humanity.

The sexual image of Madonna has no intention to distract women from politics or business. The emphasis on sexuality is the desperate cry for help. In the book The Gendered Cyborg: A Reader, the author suggest the image of a woman-cyborg (Kirkup, 2000). Madonna simply suggests the way out of the problem and the only possible rescue for female inhabitants of this planet.

Though the advantages of Madonna as the icon should not be underestimated, it is also possible to set some other examples of the contemporary women who send the message of sexuality and power to all women. The picturesque example is the actress Riz Witherspoon and her character of Elle Woods, a blonde and a lawyer. At the first sight this combination is absurd, but as we know from the popular movie it has appeared to be winning. Elle Woods destroys stereotypes that hamper the progress of society. Sexuality is not the evidence for stupidity and shallowness of a woman. Certainly, such cases occur but they should not be treated as the only possible variant. On the contrary, sexuality, sense of style, and self-sufficiency are the keys for success for a modern woman. Besides, this statement may be proved by the example of the actress herself, for he is, definitely, the icon of female beauty, a successful professional in her sphere of work, and a businesswoman simultaneously.

However, the range of women who represent female gender in contemporary society should not be reduced to celebrities from the sphere of show business only. A lot of women who represent complete image of a woman of the 21^st century may be found in different spheres of society: among educators, doctors, lawyers, etc. Their names are not important; the most important thing about them is that they are successful and still remember that they are women.

Conclusion

Drawing a conclusion, it should be mentioned that the analyzed problem, certainly, deserves attention of humanity, as it directly concerns its future. Most of all, it should make emancipated women think about their nature and mission. They should reconsider their priorities, and, finally, they should make up the new model of a woman of the 21^st century to follow: a sexual, beautiful, educated, independent, prosperous, and self-sufficient woman.

Reference List

Kirkup, G. (2000). The Gendered Cyborg: A Reader. NY: Routledge.

Walters, M. (2005). Feminism: A Very Short Introduction. NY: Oxford University Press.

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Interrelation of Gender and Contemporary Society: Madonna

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