Joseph Black
New member
I am somewhat of a film and television buff.
In the past two decades I have observed a large shift in the way women are portrayed in these mediums. Female characters today seem to fit in one of three categories:
1) They are powerful or in a position of power. Often steadfast and unwavering, portrayed as good and righteous leaders.
2) They are not powerful but are instead rebellious. Usually ignores authority and does things her own way. The authority in such fictions is usually shown in a negative or evil light.
3) They are neither powerful or rebellious, but are strong and independent instead. Her own boss, she stands up for what she believes in.
I've hardly seen any women portrayed as cowardly, submissive, dependent, or weak in recent times.
The problem is, characters with these qualities still need to exist to make an interesting story, and are now often portrayed by men . Additionally, such women with "negative" qualities still exist in the world, and I feel it hampers realism when they are ignored.
Also interesting to note, many works of fiction imbue the female characters with a remarkable talent or ability, such as intelligence or cunning, and time is often taken to show her one-upping a male character in this capacity (sometimes it is a misogynistic male character or one that doubts the female.)
Is feminism to blame for this?
In the past two decades I have observed a large shift in the way women are portrayed in these mediums. Female characters today seem to fit in one of three categories:
1) They are powerful or in a position of power. Often steadfast and unwavering, portrayed as good and righteous leaders.
2) They are not powerful but are instead rebellious. Usually ignores authority and does things her own way. The authority in such fictions is usually shown in a negative or evil light.
3) They are neither powerful or rebellious, but are strong and independent instead. Her own boss, she stands up for what she believes in.
I've hardly seen any women portrayed as cowardly, submissive, dependent, or weak in recent times.
The problem is, characters with these qualities still need to exist to make an interesting story, and are now often portrayed by men . Additionally, such women with "negative" qualities still exist in the world, and I feel it hampers realism when they are ignored.
Also interesting to note, many works of fiction imbue the female characters with a remarkable talent or ability, such as intelligence or cunning, and time is often taken to show her one-upping a male character in this capacity (sometimes it is a misogynistic male character or one that doubts the female.)
Is feminism to blame for this?