Listening, but Not Being Heard: Young Women, Popular Music, Streaming, and Radio

ABSTRACT The recording and radio industries have faced a reckoning over their lack of gender equity. While Generation Z is poised to become the dominant music audience, research on the wants and needs of young women listeners is lacking. This study used focus groups to investigate how Generation-Z women feel about today’s music and audio media options. Specifically, their musical tastes are more eclectic, but they find little appeal in current popular music, and they see widespread disrespect for women in music. Participants also recognize that current trends of male-dominated radio presentation are likely to turn potential women listeners away.