Is Sabrina Carpenter Really a Representation of Feminism?

By: Lily McMenemy, Assistant Opinion & Layout Editor

This Valentine’s season, who better to talk about than everyone’s favorite pastel loving, baby doll, short-n-sweetheart, Sabrina Carpenter? Appearing with perfect blonde bangs, bold blush, in baby blue and belting, the star has quickly branded herself with a unique style that pulls from vintage allure and modern coquette culture.

Erotic lyrics and suggestive dance styles have allowed her to bring new meaning to the term “bedroom pop,” while cultivating a sex positive persona. What’s interesting is that she often contrasts the sexuality in her music with themes of disappointment, frustration and dissatisfaction in men – I once saw her music described as “horny misandry” online. The hits “Tears,” “Manchild” and “Please Please Please” feature witty lyrics about how low standards are for men in relationships and how she has to beg for the bare minimum, mixed with catchy lines that express desire. She has mastered the art of sexual frustration. Some of my favorite lyrics include,

“Whatever devil's inside you, don't let him out tonight

I tell them it's just your culture and everyone rolls their eyes” - Please, Please Please

“A little respect for women can get you very, very far

Remembering how to use your phone gets me oh so, oh so, oh so hot”- Tears

“Whole outfit you're wearing

God I hope it's ironic” -Manchild

“This boy doesn't even know

The difference between "there," "their" and "they are"

Yet he's naked in my room” - Slim Pickins

In my experience, women tend to find her music empowering. I personally feel confident and less concerned about men’s opinions when I listen. However, men are quick to sexualize her. So, is her man-hating and man-loving music feminist?

Many people feel that her music and image are regressive and enforce subversion to men because it is so sexual in nature and allows for objectification. Others feel that it is the opposite, and that it is a reclamation of sex in a way that she controls. My friend, Gianna Gullo said, “she sexualizes herself for herself, men sexualize her for themselves.”

For a pop star to be so wildly popular and appealing to men while criticizing them under their own noses is powerful. She’s like a siren luring them with sex appeal, and then whispering to them that they are dreadful.

My view: her hyper-feminine persona is an empowering display that allows women to be women for women, in annoyance with or despite men. Carpenter does this while still acknowledging men are present in a woman’s world and that, for many, they can seek relationships with them without losing their “power” or independence. She doesn’t pretend that men or attraction to them doesn’t exist. She embraces it, while also embracing its shortcomings. Her entire act is cleverly stating how obnoxious guys can be while pandering to them and pretending to be the helpless, big-eyed, beautiful girl in need of saving. Men fall for it, but she’s in control the entire time. She knows exactly what she’s doing, and so do us girls, but we’re in on it.