The term was coined by author Ariel Levy in her book Female Chauvinist Pigs: Women and the Rise of Raunch Culture. In it, Levy claims it is absurd that young women admire people such as heiress Paris Hilton and pop-star Britney Spears, who dress provocatively and scantily in music videos and men's magazines. She believes such trends as teens dressing in skimpy clothes for school, taking pole-dancing classes and idolising television shows such as The Simple Life are a poor substitute for true personal empowerment.

Levy says young women should look for positive role models other than ones such as Christina Aguilera, who "mud-wrestled in a humping fashion in her video Dirrty".

Critics of raunch culture say the movement is not a symbol of an age where "a woman can do whatever a man can do", but a new landmark in degradation.

In particular, Levy questions the values of our society when "the memoir How To Make Love Like a Porn Star is at the top of the bestsellers for weeks, elite female athletes take time off from training to pose half nude in men's magazines, and sparkly G-strings are made for 10-year-old girls".

Advocates of the raunch movement say it is not about being a sex object, but about women having the confidence to show off their bodies and not be afraid to take the lead in relationships.

They argue the popularity of television shows such as Sex and the City, easily available contraception and improved economic independence reflect a culture in which women feel empowered, rather than intimidated.

Supporters say pole dancing lessons and hipster jeans have all gained popularity as women become more adventurous and confident with their bodies.

They also point to the huge fan bases of Casey Donovan and Sara-Marie from Australian Idol and Big Brother to show that women do value those with self-confidence and courage.

Paris Hilton, Britney Spears and Jessica Simpson have all been labelled by Levy as poster girls for the raunch movement. Levy criticises Hilton for being idolised for acting dumb in The Simple Life and having her sex tapes splashed all over the internet.

Jessica Simpson - now high on the charts with her rendition of These Boots are made for Walking - has said: "I've always acted dumb. I'm a Southern girl and that's how I got the boys."

Levy also criticises a new TV show in the US called Girls Go Wild that shows girls flashing skin for the camera and generally behaving badly. She also points the finger at TV shows such as Outback Jack, Who Wants to Marry a Millionaire? and The Bachelor that portray women "in competitions, many of which involved bikinis, to show who was the hottest and the hungriest".

"These are women who think that because they want to take their clothes off they are not reducing themselves to exploitable commodities. These are women who, if asked, would probably tell you they genuinely believe they are rebelling against the dour, earnest and sexless image of the kind of feminist that became a dirty word - the kind of women who might have raised them. They think they are reclaiming and redefining feminism and they are kidding themselves."

"It's not like I think she's (Paris Hilton) like the devil, going to hell. I'm sure she's a nice person; it's just that I don't think we need to be looking up to her as a heroine."

"In an era when images of the Pussycat Dolls and Paris Hilton proliferate, women need to be respected as people, not mere sex objects. Enjoy the Boots Are Made For Walking film clip if you want to, boys, but also realise there's far more to a lasting relationship than finding a girl who will wash your car in a bikini."

"Do you want your eight-year-old to wear a T-shirt with 'Porn Star' emblazoned across the chest? Or how about a G-string with the slogan 'eye candy'? Or a padded bra for a 10-year-old? These are just some of the ways girls are becoming virtual porn stars, turning from tots to teens with barely any time in between."

"With the excitement surrounding Ariel Levy's book Female Chauvinist Pigs, you'd be forgiven for thinking Australia had been overtaken by young women hell-bent on transforming themselves into a cross between Paris Hilton and a Pussycat Doll."

"After watching Makybe Diva achieve 'the impossible' in the Melbourne Cup, I realise that there is something in the 'glory' of racing. Thoroughbreds are born and bred to be on the track and it is hard to imagine a horse like Diva being anywhere else. But while jockeys, trainers and owners are all aware of the risks involved, the horses aren't. The punters would do well to remember that a horse does not have four wheels and an engine - it has a brain and heart and knows how to use it."

"I really enjoy watching horse racing but it is cruel on the horses, carrying all the weight they do. The Cox Plate is the best race in my opinion because they have a set weight for their age and the best horse wins. The jockeys will be OK with the new gear padding and safety stirrups, which are very important."

"Jockeys ride at their own risk, and if they felt as unsafe as people say this sport is they wouldn't do it. I believe that horses are bred to race and it's not like they are treated badly, in fact they are looked after better than some humans. They get fed the right things, have the right amount of training and exercise and the owners always have a vet on call. So I say keep the horses racing."

"Australia's national sport is under threat. Only selfish people regard horseracing as a day for spectator gambling. The passion of both jockey and horse for racing massively outweighs the risks, which are undoubtedly recognised. Anyone with a heart would have seen this through Makybe Diva's outstanding run in the cup. Horse racing is a jockey's life, killing it would be murder."

"I believe that disadvantages outweigh the advantages. Horse racing is a wonderful and dramatic sport, but not all of us know the risks that the horses and jockeys take. It should be done with more safety and protection so no risks are taken in the future."

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