Lately I haven´t watched as much television as I used to, I just didn't have the time. But every time I do watch television, I am shocked. The picture of female "heroes" has changed completely.
When I was younger, my female heroes were Buffy, Xena, the girl from Ocean Girl and the three witches from Charmed. They were strong and could (mostly) take care of themselves, they obviously had men but they just weren't as dependent on them as the female characters are today.
Today the girls in television are either a nice, weak damsel in distress (see Twilight) or they are famous and the girls are told when they have to laugh (yep I am talking about Hannah Montana... I used to watch Lizzy McGuire I could at least decide whether the part was funny or not)
Even the cartoon image has changed from Totally Spies (ok I admit it they were girlish and not very proportionally drawn) to Bratz who are in my opinion rather meant for boys I mean, look at them.
It might be that I have a very one sided view on this subject and I really hope that you will all disagree. But I am afraid that the picture of girls/ women has simply changed in the last seven years. And I really don´t want my daughter (in case I have one) to watch shows like this and to think that she has to act accordingly.
So what do you think? Did I miss something or am I right?
Comments (58)
dear lord I feel old, I watchd fraggle rock. Xena didnt need just men, she had the ladies too. =P I think my fav female character was april from ninja turtles. Gorgeous and kick butt lady.
I agree. I don't see many good role models for young girls anymore - at least, none that are highly popular or publicized. They're all just pretty. What message is that?
Bratz are technically for little girls, right? I'm not really sure if they are for men, per say. Bratz kind of have weird looking heads...
Honestly, I have not been really paying attention to female heroes these days. I don't watch that much TV, either. I don't really know what is going on with society... There are all different kinds of women in this world. Some are very independent and can relate more to Buffy or Xena while other girls are more like Bella from Twilight.
@whitetrashpoet@xanga - That's true. We don't have very good popular ones. Maybe I will pay attention more to TV?
I think there's a wave of "anti-feminism" going on... women going back to the submissive nature, portraying their only the "weak female" stereotypes. Maybe it's just where I live, but I see it going on a lot.
I wanted to be Xena. I thought she was gorgeous.
it's all about competing with the other shows...they need the ratings and people like watching spineless women.
Very true. I loved Xena, I'd watch it every day after school!
Hmm.. I love House. Lisa Cuddy on there is a pretty powerful woman but then again the main character is a man...
@LaChienne88@xanga - I think what she means that they look like little sluts.
Oh my. This is what goes through my head when I flip through the channels. I miss Totally Spies. And my parents didnt let me watch Xena or Buffy :/
But there are some exceptions. Like WOWP (yes I still watch Disney.) Alex is pretty tough and independent. She always screws things up tho... & is saved by her brother... & my point is going down the drain >:
agree
OCEAN GIRL!!!!
Sorry, that's all I caught. I was convinced I was alone.
@dancesmilelaughwithme - Okay, thanks. I kind of got that but I was not sure. My grandma never liked Bratz.
Are you kidding? The last 7 years have seen all the worst of feminism come to 'fruition' on TV! Xena was a really bad show...and it's only a short step from that to the proliferation of "lesbianism" that floods TV now. What television stations are you watching? Because nearly all we see on TV now is women mocking, ridiculing, and putting down men, or else "kicking men's asses".
@MoonFaeEyryan@xanga - GOOD! Thank God! Bring on the anti-feminism tidal wave...bring on the anti-feminism TSUNAMI !
don't forget the pink and yellow power rangers!
Bratz are all about a passion for fashion and being bff's. They're stupid and ignorant. Great role model for girls.
Its true, I LOVED Xena I always wanted to be like her!
I wanna be as kick ass as Lucy Lawless. :) Buffy was my nickname in middle school, end of story.
So yeah, totally agree. Buffy and Xena for the win.
@whitetrashpoet@xanga - UGLY BETTY!
they don't have noses...what!? it's one thing for girls to starve themselves to fit the mold, but i'm pretty sure that you need a nose...for things like smelling. yeah. and omg! i remember totally spies! what a great show! pretty, powerful girls.
Do you know how badly I wanted to be Xena! She kicked some serious ass. She was the best female hero in my TV lifetime. I wish they would air re-runs.
Xena is so awesome! And Buffy too. I liked Sabrina the Teenage Witch too.
Xena! :D
.... did you just compare 90's teen and up shows to 2000's tween's and below shows? o_O It's like you're comparing black and white and saying how different it is. And the reference to Twilight is void because it's not a show.
yay on this post! i was a lil girl when i watch xena, buffy, charmed, etc. yeah, they kick ass and i love it. i was that silly lil girl who wanted to be like them cause they were strong and smart. i can't bear watching hannah montana, twilight and bratz. most of the girls in tv now(that are targeted for young girls) are pretty dead ignorant, weak and self absorbed..
Totally agree. Give us back Xena.