Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Women of Wednesday--Ask Yourself

Step into the cafeteria of a high school in 1947. Was this really the way that kids talked? And, was this really the way that high schools kids were instructed? I can't imagine that this wasn't completely laughable even back then.



Why is it that the girl who parks in cars with boys is the only one who needs a life lesson? None of the guys who accompanied her were told that taking advantage of someone is not the thing a "popular" person does. Why was that?

Now ask yourself, have things changed over the last 60 years? Hmmm. If you think so, take a look at this article about the portrayal of women in the film, The Social Network, which was released last year. I saw the film and did notice that the women were mostly heavy drinkers who were "hungry," if you know what I mean, but, I never gave it a second thought. This is how women are routinely portrayed. Good grief, have I become totally oblivious? What about you?

--Diane

The film is in the public domain and comes courtesy of the Prelinger Archives portion of Internet Archive. The Internet Archive is one of my favorite resources!

3 comments:

I'm Jet . . . said...

Yes, it does seem unfair. I thought the rest of the film was handled well -- with common etiquette for both males and females.

I wish that for our young people (and our older ones) for this day and age!

Good post, D.

J

Barbara said...

I haven't seen the movie, although it looks good from the trailer, but it is a movie, and as a writer, I know my characters have to play the parts that make the story work. If the story doesn't call for strong women, then it doesn't, and to put them in there just to be politically correct wouldn't make sense, IMO.

In a PSA, or in advertising, it is different because you're dealing with reality. (ALthough that may not really be true of advertising today.) Nobody commented on boys taking advantage in the PSA because it was 1947. A similar PSA made today would be different, I think. So, I do think we've changed in 60 years, in that we at least recognize the problem.

But I also think 60 years from now, women will still be seen as sexual objects for men to play with because we too often focus on changing men's attitudes to women, rather than on educating our daughters.

I'm Jet . . . said...

Well said, Barb!