Not really my answer, but for those not familiar with the music, maybe go look at lyrics before answering. I have a few songs in mind to build a case for Aguilera, and especially the one she does with Lil Kim about sexual double standards.

I think that there are a lot of ways to be a feminist, and self-identification is enough, which is not to say that you can't acknowledge someone as a feminist, yet not agree that all the choices they make are consistent with that identification. Like April implies, I don't think there are sexual standards that you have to meet in order to "count." Indeed, isn't a healthy view of sexuality a very important part of feminism?

That said, I do wish people like Christina and Britney, if they do consider themselves feminists, would occasionally act with less of an eye towards capitalist mercenaryism and more of an eye towards all of the implications of their images for young people. Christina flashing what her mama gave her is in itself of limited subversiveness. It's not terribly challenging to the dominant culture for her to spend her career titillating men (okay, boys) and encouraging girls to imitate her so as to share in that attention, feminist logos or not.

If one of them appeared on the cover of a feminist mag, my first thought would honestly be that that magazine was trying to sell more copies and attract more young teenagers into their readership - neither of which is necessarily negative at all, but both of which might cause some people to question their journalistic integrity. Cash creates a conflict of interest, and I don't think you can talk about figures like Christina and Britney without talking monnnay.

What would it take for me to consider them feminist icons? A very public refusal to take a record deal or a commercial contract from a company (like ALL of them) that holds discriminatory policies or distributes sexist images or materials might be a start. Getting on TV and asking young women to write to Congress about feminist issues would help, too. Girl Power's great. Legislative power's better. I don't doubt that they consider themselves feminists, and that's great, but to reach icon status, I'd like to see more money-where-the-mouth-is.

Here. I think both of them contribute to feminism, but I'm not sure they're icons of feminism so much as icons of girl power. Girl power is only one aspect of feminism - it's important, but as Ms. 9 mentioned, it misses the politics.

Also, Christina kicks Britney's ass. As pro-feminist icons go. ;)

My comments are on my blog.
http://the-goddess.org/blog/index.html

I would like to comment on Britney and Christina. Being a liberal, pro sex feminist myself, I totally am open on the subject of sexual expression. While music videos portraying rap artists surrounded by half naked women is more acceptable, what about women who are the artists(Christina and Britney) themselves who make the conscious decision to portray their own sexuality in any way they choose to? Christina has continually stated that she feels empowered to be able to express her own sexuality whether it is in music videos or not. I personally would do it myself because I believe that what they are doing is challenging the norms that have for so long attached a stigma to women who choose to express their sexuality in whatever way they choose. Why should others who proclaim to be feminists, attach themself to the same chauvinistic assumptions or cultural norms that have defined how much women can express themselves? More power to Christina and Britney!!! It's about time!

This relates to the discussion:

Nicole Maynard
Feminist Icons: Paintings, Drawings, and Prints
November 2 – 27, 2004

“Feminist Icons” is an exhibition exploring sexual politics, spirituality, and motherhood. Picasso’s minotaur is made into a sex object, a nude Virgin envisions her baby’s destiny to be crucified, while a red Buddha-like woman nurses peacefully. In The War Between the Minotaurs and the Centaurs, a heroine with a unicorn’s head takes on a David pose (from The Rape of the Sabine Women) in order to intervene. The Twin Towers burn in the background. A minotaur in the foreground holds a gun, casting traditional mythology in a contemporary light. Women’s psyches in all their complexity are given uncensored visual form and are placed in the context of western culture in the twenty-first century. Maynard is a “painter’s painter” who transforms materials into sensuous, visceral, challenging artworks.

On view at the Bowery Gallery, 530 West 25th St. 4th Fl., from November 2 – 27th, opening reception November 6th 3-6pm. Gallery hours are Tuesday – Saturday 11 am – 6 pm. For more information visit www.bowerygallery.org or call 646.230.6655. This exhibition contains adult subject matter; parental discretion is advised.

I think the problem with calling Britney a feminist is that a feminist is here to help women fight issues of oppression. With such over-sexualized images of the pop star, her influence is often a negative one. With such a young fan base (tho old as well) and women already overly concerned with their body images, Britney is contributing to the body image problem. Third wave feminism is about fighting this "ideal body image" and overly sexualize depiction of women. Posing in Rolling Stone naked (bar her panties) and RALPH magazine has me dissagreeing- feminism is about challenging- not accepting and depicting yourself as a sex object. Doing exactly as Radical feminist feared, being a sex object.

really the problem is that female pop stars have to be sexualised inorder to become famous. even with the artists who are said to be the "goody goodys" of pop culture its evident. Look at Jessica Simpson for example. she was a virgin until mariage but she still feels that she has to be pictured swiffering her floor in underwear to be a legitamate artist. what does that say about our society?

really the problem is that female pop stars have to be sexualised inorder to become famous. even with the artists who are said to be the "goody goodys" of pop culture its evident. Look at Jessica Simpson for example. she was a virgin until mariage but she still feels that she has to be pictured swiffering her floor in underwear to be a legitamate artist. what does that say about our society?