Levy, Ariel - Female Chauvinist Pigs: Women and the Rise of Raunch Culture
Levy is basically arguing that the recent rise in "raunch culture" is fuelled by women proclaiming that they are post-feminist and have the freedom to be raunchy, but that in reality, they are more conforming to men's ideas of sexiness than anything else. Levy points to the prevalence of porn stars in the best-sellers list, the popularity of Paris Hilton and etc. as evidence of raunch culture.
I do see why the book is controversial, but I liked that Levy isn't saying that women shouldn't be getting implants or pole-dancing or whatnot. She's instead saying that while many of the women who are doing these things say that they are post-feminist and have the freedom to do so, many aren't necessarily thinking about what post-feminist means and why, if they are free to be raunchy, the expressions of raunchiness fit so well into what has typically been termed as "tools of the patriarchy" (drink!).
I do think that it may just be another form of anti-feminism to point fingers back at the women, and I wish Levy would examine more why women feel like they need to fit in as "one of the guys" to get ahead, and how that is culturally dictated as well. If women are only hearing the message that the only way to be in power is to decry feminism and be "one of the guys," or if women are only hearing the message that the only type of sexiness that is appreciated is that of raunch culture's, then... is that really the women's fault? There are incidents in the book in which guys are yelling at girls to flash the camera in "Girls Gone Wild" that make me cringe, and I wish Levy would point even more fingers.
I suspect the book is a read only for people who already partially agree with Levy. I liked certain parts, particularly the examination of why women felt like they had to denigrate femininity (lesbian "bois" and female TV executives alike). I think she's a little too attached to her generation of feminism, though of course, I am biased in that respect because I am distinctly not of her generation of feminism. But it's very clear from her book that we aren't post-feminism yet.
I think I need a longer post on feminism and me and my generation, because I do notice a difference in my attitudes vs. other people's on LJ, which I find interesting.
oursin has some commentary on an interview with Levy.
I do see why the book is controversial, but I liked that Levy isn't saying that women shouldn't be getting implants or pole-dancing or whatnot. She's instead saying that while many of the women who are doing these things say that they are post-feminist and have the freedom to do so, many aren't necessarily thinking about what post-feminist means and why, if they are free to be raunchy, the expressions of raunchiness fit so well into what has typically been termed as "tools of the patriarchy" (drink!).
I do think that it may just be another form of anti-feminism to point fingers back at the women, and I wish Levy would examine more why women feel like they need to fit in as "one of the guys" to get ahead, and how that is culturally dictated as well. If women are only hearing the message that the only way to be in power is to decry feminism and be "one of the guys," or if women are only hearing the message that the only type of sexiness that is appreciated is that of raunch culture's, then... is that really the women's fault? There are incidents in the book in which guys are yelling at girls to flash the camera in "Girls Gone Wild" that make me cringe, and I wish Levy would point even more fingers.
I suspect the book is a read only for people who already partially agree with Levy. I liked certain parts, particularly the examination of why women felt like they had to denigrate femininity (lesbian "bois" and female TV executives alike). I think she's a little too attached to her generation of feminism, though of course, I am biased in that respect because I am distinctly not of her generation of feminism. But it's very clear from her book that we aren't post-feminism yet.
I think I need a longer post on feminism and me and my generation, because I do notice a difference in my attitudes vs. other people's on LJ, which I find interesting.
oursin has some commentary on an interview with Levy.