Place1 Christina Place David Kopp Wrt95 September 22, 2008 The Perception of California Girls In today’s society, music has a huge impact on both how different people, generations, races, genders, etc. are perceived as well as the perception each group has toward one another. Not only does it put a stamp on different groups based on appearance, it also stereo types them based on what region of the world they live in. Two artists that have helped in classifying certain people based on location are Gretchen Wilson, in her song, “California Girls”, and Gary Allan in his song, “She’s so California.” Both have helped reinforce the superficial idea about the women in California whether it be in a positive or negative aspect. Although Gretchen Wilson and Gary Allen Both express their views on the “California girl”, Gretchen Wilson gives more of a southern outlook as opposed to Gary Allen’s personal experiences with this type of woman and is better able to connect to the larger audience. In the song, “California Girls”, by Gretchen Wilson, we were given a more outsiders view on the stereotypical “California girl.” She mentions they all have plastic surgery and wear size 0. She also continues to criticize Paris Hilton and how she is a person of little substance. I feel for the majority of Place2 people, woman especially, California is viewed as a place where beauty is one dimensional. From personal experience, coming from Ohio to California, I would have to agree in saying those who are not too familiar with this area view the girls here as stick thin, blonds with fake breast. I feel Gretchen Wilson’s southern, down to earth attitude appeals to the vast majority due to the fact that the average woman is well over a size 0 and do not have the perfect lives Californians tends to give off. Also by her saying, “Aren’t you glad we’re not all California girls,” allows for the public to better connect with her song in that everyone wants to be desired and at some point...