Have We “Progressed” Our Way Out of the Real Goals of Feminism?

While many modern movies and sitcoms have done a great job of breaking free from stereotypes about women, they could improve in presenting women and men as equals. In the article on patriarchy in sitcoms, Walsh et al (2008), pointed out that the trend of portraying men as lazy, inept beings does not actually further the cause of feminism. Walsh et al. (2008) explained, “Scholars warn that postfeminism as played out on television reinscribes patriarchal constellations and stifles the political aspects of feminism” (p. 125). Ultimately, unrealistically portraying men as stupid, does not help to improve equality of men and women.

A lesson from junior high school that we hopefully all learned was that engaging in the act of putting someone else down never really lifts an individual. Sellnow (2008) gave the basic definition of a feminist, as “anyone (male or female) whose beliefs and actions challenge hegemony by respecting and valuing women as well as respecting and valuing both men and women…” (p, 139). With this definition in mind, the belittling and devaluing of men does not fit the behaviors of true feminism. I believe we can focus on strengths and accomplishments of women without arguing that men are incompetent and useless.

(https://resources.sw.siemens.com, 2024)

The idea that men and women are better when they collaborate and work together is a concept that I would like to see portrayed in more popular culture texts. In an article in Forbes (2021), the author focused on how both genders working together is mutually beneficial. The article explained, “At work, men with female friends accrue more information about the company and enjoy more social support, broader networks, and more career opportunities” (para. 6). The article also argued that while the push for more opportunities for women obviously benefits women, there are also great professional gains for men. “Close mentorships with women also accelerate reciprocal relational skills such as listening, empathy, and self-awareness” (para. 9). These important facts on the overall benefits of women and men working together provide great information for realistic, uplifting storylines that advance the true causes of feminism. 

(Miss Scarlet and the Duke, 2023)

As the fight for equality in the professional world continues to be studied and promoted, popular culture films and sitcoms could look to real life progress to formulate their stories. A report by Bentley University (2017) concluded, “It is clear from a multitude of sources, improving gender representation in the workplace benefits everyone—it is good for our workplace culture, our professional development, our society, our personal lives, and the financial bottom line” (p. 3). A more effective and truthful approach to popular culture messaging may be focusing on the good that real women and real men can accomplish together. Are there examples of movie and sitcom storylines that effectively embrace the equality of women and men without belittling either gender?