If I were a boy even just for a day
I’d roll out of bed in the morning
And throw on what I wanted
And go drink beer with the guysAnd chase after girls
I’d kick it with who I wanted
And I’d never get confronted for it
‘Cause they stick up for me
-Beyonce
By far, Beyonce is one of the most popular vocalists. Over the year 2009, her song If I were A Boy became very popular. This song clearly sends the message that life, and specifically relationships are different for men. A female singing about how boys get away with things, and have life easier, clearly sends a message out to girls. This in no way demonstrates equality. The song implies that a girl cant where whatever she wants, and just go out for beers. Also, it says men can do what they want, and face no consequences, or confrontation. This demonstrates that men hold the power in relationships. Based on the context of the lyrics, my guess is this would be coercive power. According to Gamble & Gamble, coercive power is “the belief that someone has the ability to punish you or harm you” (206). The men Beyonce sings about hold power over the relationship because they are not confronted. This is coercive power because it is possible the women do not engage in confrontation because of some type of fear. It may be possible that they fear facing violence, drama, a fight, or do not want to risk ending the relationship. Though this song is not explicitly about power in a relationship, it is evident in this context men do hold authority.
Gamble, T. K., & Gamble, M. W. (2003). The Gender Communication Connection. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company
Beyonce-if i were a boy. Retrieved June 17, 2009, from YouTube Web site: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVTyLqkez6A
