I feel like Barney Stinson: "CHALLENGE ACCEPTED"
Ever since I posted my last entry (about how, apparently, the only good women in TV are strong women), I feel like the world has been throwing examples in my face.
Just today, I found this neat site that had some funny reviews of tv shows etc., and they talked about the Good Wife and how it's awesome. It's based on the idea that a politician made some huge mistakes, cheating on his wife and also some political whoopsies, I believe, and his wife decided to stick by him. She is continuing with her job and facing down the different reactions she's getting because she stayed with him.
Now, I actually think this series has a neat concept. I can't say if they've done it justice, I've never watched it. But supposedly they are taking real situations with real politicians and talking about it frankly. This guy got caught with his pants down and he's paying for, personally and professional. And I like that. A lot. And she's moving on with her life while not ditching him and bailing and trying to hold the family together. And that's awesome as well.
What I don't like is the review. They say that one of the major selling points of the show is that it has four women who are shining examples of women power and how they never buckle under their emotions and how they are professional when they need to be, are focused and able to balance their jobs and family lives. All that in a series that starts out by taking an extremely flawed man to task? Now, as I said, I've never seen the show. I've only read that review. But to me it sounded a lot like the guy was apparently portrayed as real with serious flaws. I'd expect the ladies to be given the same courtesy. To come across as real. Not to be perfect examples of what all women should be.
Look, here's the thing. Men have spent a long time trying to break out of the stereotype they were forced into. That they had be manly, not show feelings or be sensitive, not cry. They still haven't entirely been able to break free of that stereotype.
Having watched that struggle, why are we so keen on inventing a new stereotype for ladies?
I don't want to have to be a strong, do-it-myself lady, okay? I'm not a forceful personality, really. I like to go with the flow, I like to just do what others are doing. I don't mean caving to peer pressure, I just mean that I prefer not to make the decisions. I like getting help from other people and I don't really want to be the leader. I'm not going into a powerhouse-lady-saving-the-world position. I want to be a librarian. I want to write books that probably won't change the world. I want to live a nice quiet life.
I'm not less of a woman, and I'm not less of a person for that.
I do love the powerhouse ladies of the world. Firefly's Zoe? She's amazing. But so was Kaylee, ya know? And she had some powerhouse moments, but she was a slightly weak person. Didn't make her less of a cool character or less of a loveable one.
So! CHALLENGE ACCEPTED, WORLD. My NaNo protagonist will not be a powerhouse lady type. She was going to be married to a lady, but I'm wondering if that would muddy the point. Maybe she should have a man, maybe she should hide behind him occasionally. What the heck is a relationship for if you're not allowed to have them support you, anyway?
/soapbox
Jeeze, I'm really worked up about this. Hmph.
If you don't want to read my soapbox rant, just tell me this: are you doing NaNoWriMo? If so, wanna chat about your idea? :-D
Just today, I found this neat site that had some funny reviews of tv shows etc., and they talked about the Good Wife and how it's awesome. It's based on the idea that a politician made some huge mistakes, cheating on his wife and also some political whoopsies, I believe, and his wife decided to stick by him. She is continuing with her job and facing down the different reactions she's getting because she stayed with him.
Now, I actually think this series has a neat concept. I can't say if they've done it justice, I've never watched it. But supposedly they are taking real situations with real politicians and talking about it frankly. This guy got caught with his pants down and he's paying for, personally and professional. And I like that. A lot. And she's moving on with her life while not ditching him and bailing and trying to hold the family together. And that's awesome as well.
What I don't like is the review. They say that one of the major selling points of the show is that it has four women who are shining examples of women power and how they never buckle under their emotions and how they are professional when they need to be, are focused and able to balance their jobs and family lives. All that in a series that starts out by taking an extremely flawed man to task? Now, as I said, I've never seen the show. I've only read that review. But to me it sounded a lot like the guy was apparently portrayed as real with serious flaws. I'd expect the ladies to be given the same courtesy. To come across as real. Not to be perfect examples of what all women should be.
Look, here's the thing. Men have spent a long time trying to break out of the stereotype they were forced into. That they had be manly, not show feelings or be sensitive, not cry. They still haven't entirely been able to break free of that stereotype.
Having watched that struggle, why are we so keen on inventing a new stereotype for ladies?
I don't want to have to be a strong, do-it-myself lady, okay? I'm not a forceful personality, really. I like to go with the flow, I like to just do what others are doing. I don't mean caving to peer pressure, I just mean that I prefer not to make the decisions. I like getting help from other people and I don't really want to be the leader. I'm not going into a powerhouse-lady-saving-the-world position. I want to be a librarian. I want to write books that probably won't change the world. I want to live a nice quiet life.
I'm not less of a woman, and I'm not less of a person for that.
I do love the powerhouse ladies of the world. Firefly's Zoe? She's amazing. But so was Kaylee, ya know? And she had some powerhouse moments, but she was a slightly weak person. Didn't make her less of a cool character or less of a loveable one.
So! CHALLENGE ACCEPTED, WORLD. My NaNo protagonist will not be a powerhouse lady type. She was going to be married to a lady, but I'm wondering if that would muddy the point. Maybe she should have a man, maybe she should hide behind him occasionally. What the heck is a relationship for if you're not allowed to have them support you, anyway?
/soapbox
Jeeze, I'm really worked up about this. Hmph.
If you don't want to read my soapbox rant, just tell me this: are you doing NaNoWriMo? If so, wanna chat about your idea? :-D