Meta: Dispelling the Myths - Part Two (Gwen/Jack)

[clarrisani]

Dispelling the Myths

Okay then, as most of you well know I am a Torchwood fan. Any of you who really know me will know that I'm a multishipper no matter the fandom (except Star Wars - Jaina/Kyp all the way in that).You'll also know that I love to analyse things, and have an interest in fandom. Anyway, I've decided to get together a list of things

Comments

[kuroneko_tyger]

Hello. Just wanted to say that I like most of the points you've brought up here, and in the previous installment. It's nice to see someone analyze the two pairings and come up with logical arguments against certain myths. I have to say I personally dislike Gwack, so I haven't come across half of these situations, but I can certainly see where the myths have stemmed from.

One thing I did have an issue was this:

Why Gwen do you say? If they really think that Gwen would 1) be a damsel in distress, and 2) allow herself to stay a damsel in distress, then obviously you think of her character as pathetic and weak, and in need of a big strong man to come and rescue her.

It reads as if you think abuse victims are weak and pathetic by holding Gwen up as the standard for how women would/should react in that sort of situation. The sad fact is that in many cases of spousal abuse, the abuse comes and goes in cycles, and is slow to build, so woman who would normally be strong and independent find themselves in a helpless situation. In fact (if I remember my sociology class correctly) women who are strong and independent have issues too, because they're the ones who think 'I can change him' or 'Next time I will fight back'. Or, sadly, they're too embarrassed/ashamed to walk out or speak up because they blame themselves for not being as strong as they thought.

I understand the point you are trying to make about Gwen not being a damsel in distress (I agree she would be out the door faster than anything), and I haven't read any of the comments/stories you seem to be trying to disprove, but that line comes off (to me at least) as insensitive. I guess what I am trying to say (and sorry for the length of this) is that the way you have that sentence written seems to generalize abusive relation ships, and more specifically the women in them, as 'pathetic' and ' weak'.

I hope I haven't insulted or offended you, as I said, this is just my opinion on what I read here.

Thank you again for this meta. I do appreciate all the points you've made.