Short Response for Feb/1st

While reading the first chapter in the “Enlightened Sexism” book I couldn’t help but compare some of the TV shows that were listed during the 90s to some that are popular today. The one that really jumped out at me was Beverly Hills 90210. The show Beverly Hills 90210 is a teen filled drama where it followed the lives of a group of teenagers living in the upscale, celebrity filled community of Beverly Hills, California. Douglas explains how this show took off in its first 6 months and was the top show among teenagers. Majority of the show’s viewers were female (60 percent). The show was such a success that it began airing in 30 countries and began selling items such as calendars, T-shirts, lunch boxes, all the way to having their own 90210 Barbie dolls. Interestingly enough, we don’t really see these kinds of shows in today’s media. Most of the shows that are popular these days are on MTV like Teen Mom or Jersey Shore and in my opinion very often degrade women. After reading the story in the Feminist reader about how the woman on the bus overheard two men degrading women and referring to them as “bitches” and sex objects this is why woman need to fight that we are in the era of the third wave and not post-feminism. A lot has been accomplished over the last few decades but woman inequality and degradation still exists and should not be tolerated. Interestingly enough, women are still the ones who keep these kinds of shows on the air because they are the ones that watch it. There are a percentage of male viewers when it comes to these MTV shows, but I would say majority of the viewers are females. It is kind of ironic that woman are ultimately keeping these shows alive when all they do is degrade and make women look inferior to men.

I also thought it was interesting to read about some of the personal stories that were shared in the second chapter of Douglas’ book. I totally agreed with her statement when she said that despite the fact that most women would be appalled by the stories, there are that small group that would whisper under their breaths “you go girl!”. Turning back to TV programs as mentioned in chapter 3, we rarely ever see any successful female icons. Unfortunately, Snooki doesn’t make the cut. Back in the late 90s there were icons likes Buffy and Xena, these attractive, heroic females that ultimately display girl power. These women were the heroes and had a sense of superiority. What happened? Why are there not more of these characters/ role models in today’s media?