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Did 'Sex and the City' have a positive impact on feminism?
Results so far:
| Yes | 34% | 23 votes | Total: 68 votes | |
| No | 66% | 45 votes |
Yes
by Samantha Farrow
Created on: January 05, 2010
Sex and the City is a liberating series where women can embrace their sexual sides without having to wear the label of "slut" or "whore." Until I became an avid fan of the show, I would classify myself as prudish. The term feminist usually has people thinking of radical feminist; the ones who can do it all by themselves "without a man, thank you very much". If that's the way you feel, kudos to you, but try having a baby without a man. Unless we're lesbian, or bi-sexual, we're all going to have to deal with men, or become like my mother, who hasn't dated since the 80's and now has daily conversations with her cats like they're people, no word of a lie. I think Sex and the City teaches women to take on the world in a more positive, realistic view of feminism; we can be strong, but there's nothing like the support of good friends, and the relationship that define us.
As for Carrie and her on again, off again relationship with Big, well, I don't see it as her being weak, nor do I see Big the way most women do; they demonize him horribly. I think Big is just unsure, and that's okay, humans are allowed to be unsure. Big is a BIG life lesson for Carrie, and through him, she learns a lot about herself. Why is this a bad thing? Life is not about everything being rosy and perfect; in fact, if it were, we would never learn anything or grow as people. By expecting Carrie to not want Big, or by expecting Big to treat Carrie differently, people are just playing into stereotypes, "Oh, she's a woman, he should just commit and not break her heart." And what's with the by wanting men we're devaluing ourselves stuff? Hello, I am a heterosexual woman in her thirties, what else am I going to want? No, men don't define me, but let's face it, I'd be awfully lonely if all there was was women. Sure, like the SATC women, I love my circle of friends. However, they can't fulfill all of my needs. If having those needs makes me a weak female, then hey, I'll wear that label. But personally, I think in spite of my need, and despite my need, for men, I am a strong woman who embraces my sexual side, thanks to Sex and the City. Amen.
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No
by Shirley Lendway
Created on: January 31, 2011 Last Updated: February 04, 2011
"Sex and the City" and feminism are like two parallel lines; they never intersect. A true feminist recognizes when she is taken advantage of because of her sex.
At first glance, "Sex and the City" appears to be a television show about successful career women enjoying their sexuality. They achieve equal status with men regarding the dating scene while maintaining close friendships with each other and groaning closets filled with trendy clothes and shoes. They spend their leisure time during the day eating sumptuous meals at restaurants and nights taking the subway home alone in stilettos after running around in New York with their dates. A closer look at these women shows that not only do they advocate a double standard favorable to men but a lower standard for women.
Let's take a look at the origin of the double standard. According to Phyllis Rose in her book, "Parallel Lives," which was created to protect the "passing on of property from a man to his rightful children" (Rose 299). A woman can tell who her children are while a man must depend on the law "to make sure his children are his" (299). However, Keith Thomas argues in his article "The Double Standard", that the double standard existed because women too were property whose worth was lessened when another person shared the husband's possession.
Carrie enforces the double standard. Big betrays Carrie and marries a younger woman. Realizing he has made a mistake, Big gets a divorce. Carrie forgives him and they eventually marry. When a man marries a divorced woman, she may be referred to as "used goods." When Carrie marries a divorced man who has betrayed her, he's considered a "good catch."
If one follows Carrie to the "Sex and the City" movies, he sees that she learns that she can have extramarital sex with impunity. Betrayal has its benefits. Miranda, Carrie's friend who is a lawyer, could argue that Big's betrayal was a subconscious vindictive win for Carrie, that it entitled her to have a "quid pro quo," legalese for something in return for something. The viewer learns that lower standards eventually become no standards.
"Sex and the City" delivers the message that if you give a woman enough rope, she'll hang herself. Feminism argues that fair treatment for women will benefit the greater good.
References:
Rose, Phyllis. Parallel Lives. New York: Vantage Books. 1983.
Thomas, Keith. "The Double Standard." Journal of the History of Ideas 20 (1959): 195 - 216.
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