The United States faces a challenge: a significant decline in sexual activity nationwide. This trend, excluding , indicates a widespread . Relentless criticism of and, alongside the growing emphasis on and conventional motherhood, has undoubtedly fostered an atmosphere in the U.S. where sex is perceived not just as a means to an end (procreation), but also as an inherently intimidating act. Simply put: our economy lacks sensuality. Therefore, it was hardly surprising when Sabrina Carpenter unveiled the cover art for her forthcoming album, Man’s Best Friend, causing controversy and serving as another focal point for America’s unaddressed sexual tensions.
The cover of Man’s Best Friend depicts Carpenter in a black mini-dress, with an unseen man tugging her hair, suggesting a sexual interaction. The image was immediately labeled “controversial,” a designation Carpenter is accustomed to. Her recent live shows and dance routines have sparked among parents who consider her an unsuitable role model for youth. In a Rolling Stone , Carpenter stated that her critics contribute to her music’s fame. “It’s always amusing to me when people object,” Carpenter clarified. “They say, ‘All she sings about is this.’ Yet, these are the songs you’ve popularized. Evidently, you enjoy sex. You’re fixated on it.”
Her assessment is accurate. Her acoustic performances, which are typically straightforward, personal renditions where she speaks eloquently about heartbreak, receive less attention compared to her over-the-top, provocative acts, where she playfully engages in roleplay with her dancers. ( reference at her Paris show) These bolder performances are widely recorded and circulated on social media, whereas her more intimate shows are seldom seen beyond her concert venues.
Furthermore, she is not the inaugural pop star to face accusations of sexual impropriety. Rather, it represents an unsettling initiation ritual within our popular culture. Consider the numerous pop artists who have experienced similar condemnation: Janet Jackson, Madonna, Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera. Janet Jackson’s upbeat single “Pleasure Principle” debuted during Ronald Reagan’s presidency. Madonna’s “scandalous” Sex coffee table book, banned in multiple countries, was released while George H.W. Bush was campaigning for president. George W. Bush served as Commander in Chief when Spears and Aguilera shed their innocent images for more provocative ones. Sexism, like racism, is not exclusive to the music industry, but the imposed on women in music mirror the prevailing societal and cultural standards of their respective eras. The pervasive presence of conservatism, particularly prominent during President Donald Trump’s second term, directly clashes with pop stars who embrace sexual positivity.
While most Americans report a lack of sexual activity, the intense reaction to Carpenter’s album cover suggests that, perhaps, they desire it. However, rather than acknowledging their sexual urges candidly, individuals project their frustrations onto the most prominent figures in society, including pop stars.
The core issue is this: The problem isn’t that she simulates sexual positions onstage or appears on her hands and knees on her album cover. It’s neither an attempt to glorify intimate partner violence nor an elementary lesson on . The real problem lies in federal policies that have cut funding for and access to sex education services in the U.S. The problem is the country’s regression towards conservative ideologies, which disproportionately (and adversely) affect women, people of color, and queer and transgender individuals—all under the guise of “family values.” The problem is that we are further from making sex enjoyable—and satisfying—for women than ever before.
It is possible Carpenter did not aim to engage in the ongoing cultural conflict concerning sex and conservatism in the U.S. when she unveiled the cover art for Man’s Best Friend. She might even be among the few Americans not affected by a sexual downturn. (Good for her, if so!) However, this album cover does appear to be her embrace of a respected tradition among women in pop music. It serves as her assertion that women should possess autonomy over their sexuality—a stance many pop stars have taken before her.
Most importantly, the Man’s Best Friend album cover brought to light a profound reality within our insecure American psyche: The difficulty in engaging in healthy sexual behaviors, amplified by the surge of conservative material on social media, causes women who are self-assured in their sexual preferences and desires to become targets of unjust criticism and aggression. This confidence appears daunting to them simply because it looks so liberating.
Sabrina Carpenter is not the issue. Our collective lack of sexual fulfillment is.