This is a video for the single “I Don’t Need a Man”, which was released by the pop group the Pussycat Dolls in 2006. The Pussycat Dolls are an American all-girl group that have sold over 50 million records worldwide. They were originally founded as a burlesque troupe in 1995. The lyrics of this song emphasise the independence and self-empowerment of the women, as they claim to be “fine” and “brand new” and “feel good” without a man. They also resist being sexualised and owned by men, as they don’t want “a ring” or “bling” or “a hand/If it only wants to grab one thing”. In the video, the six female members of the group dance around in revealing outfits, while performing rituals of feminine beauty such as painting their nails and shaving their legs.

discussion

What aspects of the lyrics and video do you identify as being empowering to women? Do the lyrics and video contradict each other at any time? In what ways?

Do you think this video portrays women in a position of sexual power? Is sexual power the same as empowerment?

Is saying “I Don’t Need a Man” a feminist message? Do you think of this group as a feminist group?