The Problem With Fifth Harmony's "Work From Home"
Start writing a post
Entertainment

The Problem With Fifth Harmony's "Work From Home"

What kind of message is Fifth Harmony sending to the next generation?

3410
The Problem With Fifth Harmony's "Work From Home"
Headline Planet

When the all-female pop vocal group Fifth Harmony took the X Factor by storm in 2012, they were the definition of girl power. The members radiated confidence and style, which left young girls with new role models to look up to. Originally, this was a great thing. The women of Fifth Harmony were the epitome of female independence. "Miss Movin' On" showed us that even after heartbreak, women are strong enough to recover and learn to love themselves. "Reflection" taught us that women can feel confident in doing things for themselves instead of boys.

But with the release of the group's newest single, "Work From Home," it seems that Fifth Harmony has taken a different stance on female empowerment.

Chances are, you've heard the song, considering it's played on every major radio station at least twice an hour. If not, here's a quick summary: Girl is in a relationship. Significant other has to go to work. Girl gets jealous of the significant other's work and bargains that if he doesn't go, she'll put out for him.

As a working girl all for female empowerment, I decided to dissect these lyrics for myself. Let's start from the beginning:

"I ain't worried 'bout nothin'
I ain't wearin' na nada
I'm sittin' pretty, impatient, but I know you gotta
Put in them hours, I'mma make it harder
I'm sending pic after picture, I'mma get you fired
"

So... Let me get this straight: you know your boyfriend has to put in hours, but you're intentionally trying to get him fired by sending him pictures of your body "wearin' na nada?"

"I know you're always on the night shift
But I can't stand these nights alone
And I don't need no explanation
'Cause baby, you're the boss at home"

How can he be the boss if you just got him fired?

"You don't gotta go to work, work, work, work, work, work, work
But you gotta put in work, work, work, work, work, work, work
You don't gotta go to work, work, work, work, work, work, work
Let my body do the work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work
We can work from home, oh, oh, oh-oh
We can work from home, oh, oh, oh-oh"

First of all, that's a whole lot of work to even read. Second, I don't think having sex with your boyfriend is going to replace his income.

"Let's put it into motion
I'mma give you a promotion
I'll make it feel like a vacay, turn the bed into an ocean
We don't need nobody, I just need your body
Nothin' but sheets in between us, ain't no getting off early"

Yeah, unemployment is like one long "vacay."

And we certainly can't forget the featured verse by Ty Dolla $ign:

"Girl, go to work for me
Can you make it clap, no hands for me?
Take it to the ground, pick it up for me
Look back at it all over me
Put in work like my timesheet
She ride it like a '63
I'mma buy her no Celine
Let her ride in a foreign with me
Oh, she the bae, I'm her boo
And she down to break the rules
Ride or die, she gon' go
I won't judge, she finesse
I pipe up, she take that
Putting overtime on your body"

I don't think anyone's going to be able to afford a foreign car or Celiene handbags with no job.

All jokes aside, this new hit is insulting to everything female. Pop and rap music have been famous for degrading women in the past. So is Fifth Harmony selling out to mainstream music to make a quick buck, abandoning everything they previously believed in? Or is the group victims of a society that firmly believes in the subordination and sexualizing of women in relationships?

In all seriousness, lyrics like this are a problem. Songs like "Work From Home" tell young impressionable minds that the only acceptable relationship dynamic is female inferiority. Young girls growing up in the most sexualized generation of all time need to learn that it's okay to be independent. They deserve role models that are going to show them that they are capable of more than just "backing it up."

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
houses under green sky
Photo by Alev Takil on Unsplash

Small towns certainly have their pros and cons. Many people who grow up in small towns find themselves counting the days until they get to escape their roots and plant new ones in bigger, "better" places. And that's fine. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought those same thoughts before too. We all have, but they say it's important to remember where you came from. When I think about where I come from, I can't help having an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for my roots. Being from a small town has taught me so many important lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Keep Reading...Show less
​a woman sitting at a table having a coffee
nappy.co

I can't say "thank you" enough to express how grateful I am for you coming into my life. You have made such a huge impact on my life. I would not be the person I am today without you and I know that you will keep inspiring me to become an even better version of myself.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

87570
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

53859
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments