Within the song Next Girl by Carly Pierce there are multiple stereotypes for both men and women. Found within these lyrics, they reinforce the sex role theory of men and women, due to the typical stereotypes men and women fulfill and act on as society expects them to.
Masculine Stereotypes:
Let him walk you to your car
- This stereotype reinforces how men are supposed to be gentlemanly to women and be chivalrous, by opening their door and walking them to their car. This reinforces the stereotypes society puts on men because women are seen as “delicate” and that some things they should not be doing. Such as opening their own door.
He’ll charm your mama with that smile
- Continuously, men are always seeking the approval of the girl’s mother and family. They do so by, “charming ” them or being overly nice in order to be on their good side.
Feminine Stereotypes:
Hey, next girl, you don’t know me / I’m just the one he says went crazy
- Stereotypically in relationships, it is understood that the crazy -girlfriend was always the problem. And that the ex-girlfriends are the issue. Never the male’s fault. This theme is seen in many other country songs such as Before He Cheats, by Carrie Underwood. That song discusses how the man is cheating on her and she goes crazy.
The next girl, I been where you’re at / You overlook a lot when he looks like that
- These lyrics show that the girls are stereotypically always paranoid about the man cheating. However when he is good-looking and tells you everything you want to hear it is easy to overlook certain red flags or features that are not okay.
Hide the red flags for a little while
- As previously stated, women tend to overlook the red flags even when they know what is going on. They also try to find the best in people and think that it is just a phase or misunderstanding. Women tend to be more understanding and forgiving even when they should not.
Shared by: Meg Lamers
Image Credit: https://989bull.com/carly-pearces-90s-laced-new-single-gives-a-heads-up-to-the-next-girl/