Conversation started Apr 10, 2013 at 19:44.
Karl Bielefeldt
Karl Bielefeldt
Apr 10, 2013 19:44
Do people really still see this as a problem? Since 1990 at least, empowered female roles are everywhere, from Dora the Explorer, Ni Hao Kai Lan, Mulan, and Brave for younger kids, up to Hermione from Harry Potter, Hunger Games, The Host, etc. for teens.
Even the sappiest of love stories, like Twilight, feature extremely powerful women. Yes, Bella has a pathological dependency on Edward, but he's equally smitten, and she's the one who saves everyone in the end. You would never see that in a vampire story in the 1950's.
Even modern damsel in distress movies don't feature fainting helpless victims, but women who fight back despite being severely overpowered.
What's getting harder to find are stories that portray love and motherhood as worthy pursuits in and of themselves.
Beofett
Beofett
@KarlBielefeldt You're right; I think the general trend has been to portray female characters in a much stronger light. I also think the OP's example of Cinderella is valid, though.
Much of the "children's literature" out there is horribly dated
Many parents still consider the Disney "Classics" to be a central backbone to children's literature. I have to admit we have a ton of old stories on our bookshelf, and many of them portray some outdated thoughts
I've thrown away/given away quite a few books because they perpetuate some really horrible role modeling, and not just for stereotypical gender roles
Just thinking of the movies my son watches, even the more modern ones, I can see why there may be cause for concern.
Movies like Cars and Monsters, Inc., two of my son's favorites, admittedly show the female characters as little more than secondary love interests.
That being said, I agree with you that the list of currently available titles that show strong female roles may be untenably large, and (hopefully) will continue to grow
Karl Bielefeldt
Karl Bielefeldt
I still wouldn't call the women in Cars and Monsters, Inc. subordinate, subservient, or lacking in independence or self-reliance. They just don't happen to be the main characters in the movie.
Beofett
Beofett
@KarlBielefeldt agreed. Perhaps the question should be reworded to remove the references to the outdated stereotypes that are (again, hopefully) no longer considered the standard...
It would seem the intended focus is more along " I would rather raise them to be self-reliant and independent, and ready to embrace desires other than cooking and finding a boyfriend."
 
Conversation ended Apr 10, 2013 at 19:59.