I didn’t think my trip to Vegas would particularly influence my thoughts on future research. However, I find myself now considering a study using either content or discourse analysis due to my experience on the trip.

Susan Douglas’ writings on Enlightened Sexism (http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d.html/ref=redir_mdp_mobile/188-0958452-8748029?a=080508326X) along with the mass amount of ads for prostitution, showgirl productions, and the like had me thinking about how we should research and explain this particular type of entertainment, as Douglas focuses primarily on pop culture references.

For example, does advertising for prostitution or showgirl productions include the assumption of “enlightenment” of these women, showing a strong woman who is comfortable with her sexuality and asserting her own power through these acts? Are these women shown in ads to be acceptable entertainment because people think we have progressed past objectifying women, or “enlightened sexism” as discussed by Douglas.

While analyzing pop culture is certainly necessary, using this theoretical lens to analyze documents and ads that are more overt sexual entertainment may continue to help in our efforts to explain and eradicate sexism.