Strawberry Shortcake

Melanie Martinez's 'Strawberry Shortcake' is a poignant critique of society's objectification of women and the pressures they face regarding their appearance. The song delves into the internal conflict and external judgments that women often encounter, particularly in their formative years. Martinez uses the metaphor of 'strawberry shortcake' to represent the female body, which is objectified and treated as a commodity for male consumption.

The lyrics express the protagonist's discomfort with her body image, influenced by unrealistic beauty standards epitomized by Barbie dolls. The song addresses the societal expectation for women to maintain purity while simultaneously being objectified, a contradictory message that confuses and pressures young women. The reference to being sent home for a short skirt highlights the victim-blaming culture that holds women responsible for men's actions.

Martinez's song also challenges the narrative that women should be blamed for men's lack of self-control. The line 'Just teach him to keep it in his pants and tell him to stop' is a direct call to shift the responsibility from women to men for their behavior. The song is a powerful statement against the sexualization of women and the culture that perpetuates it, advocating for a change in how society educates men about respect and consent.