Bitch in Business is one of many parodies inspired by Meghan Trainor’s music video for her song “All About that Bass” (2014). The parody was created by CBS Follies, a student group at the Columbia Business School. The parody music video examines the double standard of how men and women are viewed in business settings, where women are deemed bitches for behaving in the same way that men are admired for.

discussion

What does it mean to be a “bitch in business”? What are the positive qualities this parody associates with being a bitch?

How is the portrayal of men in this video different from how men are usually portrayed in music videos? Is it ever similar to how women are portrayed in music videos? How?

Why are women in business called bitches? What evidence from the video supports your answer?

The video calls out the idea that business is for boys and babies are for girls. At the same time, it later refers to “eggs freezing” as part of being a “bitch in business.” What relationship between motherhood and business does this construct? Do you agree with this relationship or think there is a different/no connection between the two? Why or why not?