Jessica Berget Opinions Editor T? some, Beyoncé is the epitome of feminism. On the surface, Mrs. Beyoncé Knowles-Carter seems like a great role model. She is an extremely talented performer and a hugely successful artist who sings about empowerment and self-confidence. Indeed, many claim that she has created a new wave of feminism appropriately called “Beyoncé Feminism,’ which one student from the University of Warwick even wrote her final undergraduate sociology dissertation about. Ifyou ask me, this student chose a poor paragon. Beyoncé is not at all a good representation of a feminist. After thinking critically about the ways she exploits her personal affairs and how she brands her feminist image, I don’t think she is someone people should be calling an icon of the feminist movement. To me, the way she brands herself'as a feminist diminishes the entire movement. I believe that the kind of feminism she Public shaming Is not effective punishment represents is what is known as commercial or celebrity feminism. This branch of feminism is used to promote one’s image and brand in an attempt to increase product sales, and it is not empowering. In 2014, Beyoncé did a performance at the MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) of her song “Flawless” where at the end, the word “FEMINIST” lit up behind her. People all over social media applauded her for it. However, I feel the reason she decided to brand herself a feminist in this way was not merely to make people aware of inequality or to educate, but rather as a way to promote her brand and make money off the movement. I mean, could there be a more obvious or one-dimensional way to announce that you're a feminist than by displaying it in huge letters? I don’t think so. It reeks of slacktivism to me. I think her reason for presenting herself as a feminist is no more than a good marketing scheme. The goal of most artists, actors, and other celebrities is ultimately to push their brand, their product, and to make money—so presenting an image of female empowerment at a televised event viewed by many young, impressionable » Parents posting videos of kids being disciplined is extremely harmful Jessica Berget Opinions Editor here are plenty of ways to discipline your child, some healthier than others. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), some healthy discipline strategies are to set limits, give consequences, encourage good behaviour, or even just talk to your kids about what is right and wrong. What I didn’t find on the list, however, even though I’ve seen multiple videos of it, is public shaming or filming your children as you punish them. It’s a depressing trend I’ve noticed on social media—parents discipling their kids for bad behaviour by filming their punishment and posting it on the Internet. Moreover, some of the punishments they carry out are horrifyingly cruel. Some parents destroy their child’s electronics or force them to do it, cut their hair, or make them walk to school as they follow in the car filming them. There is a reason the AAP does not list humiliation in its healthy discipline strategies. Publicly shaming your kid is basically bullying and it can be extremely damaging to them. Punishing your kids reasonably for misbehaviour is perfectly normal but publishing a video of their punishment is probably a humiliating and traumatizing experience for them. As parents, you are supposed to be their caregivers and, I believe, set an example of how they should treat themselves and how they let others Have an idea for a story? M opinions@theotherpress.ca Ladies, let’s not get in formation » Beyoncé is not a good feminist icon because commercial feminism is not empowering teen girls is a great way to promote one’s “feminist” brand, no? I think that by associating herself and her brand with the term, Beyoncé essentially brought feminism back into the mainstream and into the consumer market. Advertising feminism at an event like the VMAs, she made the word “feminist” seem not so scary anymore. What was formerly regarded as an extreme political ideology now had support from one of the biggest female celebrities of our time. I think as a result it’s become a fashion trend, and now her and all of her songs are associated with the movement, further solidifying her position at the top of the feminist market and increasing her product sales. Another reason I disagree with her feminist facade is the basis of her most recent album Lemonade. In the album, she sings about the affair of her famous rapper husband Jay-Z. Many fans regarded this as an iconic moment for women and feminism, but I thought it was a cheap gimmick and a great way to exploit her personal affairs and her strong feminist image for album sales, which is not what I would describe as empowering. ¢ Ladies, let's not get in formation ¢ Public shaming is not effective punishment ¢ Give it some thought before you adopt ..and more! Photo of Beyonce via the 'Independent' > On top of that, she decided to stay with her husband after he cheated on her. You could say it’s a testament to what a strong woman she is, but I think her reasons for doing so are only to keep up appearances and to continue to be the biggest celebrity couple in the entertainment industry. I also vehemently disagree with the idea that it is somehow feminist to stay with your husband after he had an affair, even if you do make a successful album and loads of money out of it, but that’s just my opinion and a separate discussion. Many people out there who are doing a lot for women’s rights and equality are more deserving of the “feminist icon” label. Just because Beyoncé sings songs about girls running the world, includes lyrics about being flawless, and uses the word in her performances, it does not mean she deserves the title. Being a celebrity is largely about cultivating an image and making money—so think carefully about that when deciding who you look up to in the feminist movement. treat them. In airing your disciplinary actions to the public, I believe you are essentially showing them that they can’t trust you and this can push them into isolation—among other consequences. Public shaming is not a good way to punish kids as it can lead to mental health problems in the future. In a Psychology Today Canada article by Dr. Krystine Batcho, she summarized why shame can be a damaging discipline strategy. “Even in cases where shame successfully diminishes a behavior, one should ask, ‘at what price?” she wrote. “Shame can become internalized, and the shamed person begins to view him or herself in ways consistent with the disapproval. [...] The individual becomes both the judged and the judge and experiences self-criticism and feelings of inadequacy. When shame is internalized and becomes pervasive and enduring, a person can be at risk for developing unhealthy conditions such as depression or social anxiety disorder, the fear of being scrutinized and the avoidance of social events that evoke such fear” If humiliation is this detrimental for the recipient, then having this humiliation broadcast over the internet is bound to only exacerbate the harm even more. This trend of public shame videos needs to stop. Apart from being extremely inappropriate, it’s psychologically damaging to your children. Public shaming is not going to teach them why their behaviour is bad or how to correct it. It only serves to humiliate and torment them.