Miley Cyrus. A modern approach on Feminism? (PDF)

Seminar paper from the year 2017 in the subject Communications - Intercultural Communication, grade: 1,7, University of Hildesheim (Institut für Interkulturelle Kommunikation), course: Seminar Popular Culture in Intercultural Contexts, language: English, abstract: In this modern world of the 21st century, where new media and influential celebrities seem to rule over teenage hood and adolescence, feminism has taken on various different, at times contradicting forms. A range of famous singers, actors, models and so on declare themselves as modern-day feminists, but seemingly fail to go into the depths of what their statements and actions actually mean and, more important, could be interpreted to mean. In the interconnected cultural spheres today's global citizens wander, the variety of opinions and attitudes people carry around is as vast as ever and it has become almost impossible to shield oneself against influence of others. When it comes to popular culture, especially, the global influence of few people and what impact they have can be remarkable. Celebrities like Miley Cyrus, who are often seen to be role models for young girls and women, and thus conceded a special responsibility for them, are shaping the cultural dimensions of what is deemed relevant and desirable in, especially, Western culture. The issue of sexualization of young girls has been a controversy Cyrus has been located in herself, and has been commenting on, as well. Over the past few years she has created an image of a strong, independent rebel-woman who does not like to play by society's rules, breaking out of the realms of what is deemed acceptable.
Resistance against current social discrepancies embedded in gender indifference, utilizing a certain way of style and bricolage of various cultural elements - ranging from things like personal clothing to writing a song and editing a music video to be released for the public - that seems what modern Miley Cyrus is all about.