So I have written and rewritten this post several times before I could settle on something . This is because a) I have a hard time being serious about.. well anything, really. And b) this is a sensitive subject. You see, for me, feminism isn't about telling women what they can and can't do. It's about giving them a choice. A woman wants to cover herself up? Good for her. It's her body. A woman doesn't want to? Again, good for her.
But that's where this post became tricky. At first, I wanted to address things that I think are sexist in YA, but then again, who am I to label them as such? You see, in any way you look at it, there's no objectivity here. I'll try to be as unbiased as I can, and give you a piece of my mind.
The Bella Swan Shaming,
This is the best name I could come up with, kaaay? So first thing first: Bella Swan... there's no denying that as far as role models go, she isn't one of the best. She is dependent, needy, insecure, and obsessive.
But you know what? Bella Swan is also real.
There are Bella Swans out there.They are normal people, just like you and I. You see, my problem with Twilight is that her behavior, her relationship with Edward was perceived in a positive light. Stalking was romanticized, and so was obsessiveness. This is my only problem with Twilight. It set out an example for teenage girls like myself that this is the real deal. This is romantic. Woppidy fucking do.
But in all honesty, having Bella Swans and Edward Collins in books isn't wrong. Hell, even writing a misogynistic, racist character isn't wrong. What is wrong is portraying them in a positive light, or at the very least, not acknowledging that flaw. That is why I'm against the Bella Swan Shaming. I mean don't get me wrong, I love reading about strong female leads, but the weaker ones shouldn't be put down just because. There is no right or wrong female protagonist, it all depends on the writing.
The Attractive Enemy,
This is the reason I don't read high school YA books. OK, so here's the scenario, our MC is a plain Jane (nothing wrong with that), who goes into a new school. She likes a guy, who is with the hot blonde cheerleader.
You probably know what happens next, the cheerleader becomes the enemy. And for good measure, the cheerleader is a complete and utter bitch, to give reason for our MC to swoop in on the guy.
How many times have you read or watch a scenario like this?
Part of this has to do with slut shaming, which is a whole other topic in on itself, but the way I see it, portraying another female as a bitch just because she has self confidence, and *gasp* like to dress up is as equally sexist. Because really, most of the time, the only hint as to the why this girl is the enemy is her looks and her behavior which in most cases, isn't even directed at our MC.
There are more examples I wanted to discuss today, especially sexism against male characters. Till next time ;)
I'm glad that you wrote a post about this Reem. I do agree that Bella Swans are real in this world and the problem lies in depicting stalking and obsessive tendencies. That being said I think you can find a lot of this in New Adult Literature as well. I confess that I've never read NA literature out there, but just by reading the synopsis it's kind of like "Girl with troubled past, has insecurities and then bad boy comes along. Gives her mind blowing sex and some kind of conflict happens." This personally bothers me. It bothers me because everything is related to a romance that's probably not the most healthiest experience the girl is going to go through and while she might be incredibly smart she makes poor life choices. It doesn't really show that this girl could make it on her own. That's one of my biggest problems with the genre. Not every person who is in their 20's has this experience. I'm sure there are people without a doubt who have gone through terrible terrible things, but it's not everyone and I feel like authors forget that.
I'm with you about the attractive enemy. I admit that I went to school with some cheerleaders/popular girls who were incredibly mean. But there were also some really really nice ones. It's annoying when those who are perceived to be beautiful are ALWAYS the enemy. It gets old. Beauty in itself is such a subjective thing and it's such a little thing when you take a human being. I mean it's kind of about time we started getting away from this stereotype. Plus there are plenty of cheerleaders who've had a hard life, why can't they just be the person who needs to be cared for once in awhile.
Again great post :).
Great post and I think you made a good point. I don't mind reading about the softer, 'weaker' MC's, but like you said, I don't like how everything in Twilight is portrayed as something positive/good. It's good that not every heroin is a kick ass girl who can wield a blade and fight like a man, but most of the times the opposite is someone who whines, who loses herself in a relationship and becomes completely dependent. I wish there were more books about the area between, where girls can be tough and sensitive at the same time.
Mel@thedailyprophecy.
Good post! =)
But I actually don´t see Twilight in this way - I like it, it´s the book that started my reading almost-obsession =D about 5 years ago but I can´t make myself see Bella as many others and you - when reading it I don´t thought she was whiny, immature and all of that, I didn´t thought that Edward was stalking her and even I could see why all of you think he was obsessive I don´t think it´s okay or that I could just find a men and let him control my live. My parents think I am too independent for my good and in 17 years I never had ANYTHINK like boyfriend - but I am romatic and optimistic soul (that I learn from reading) that like strong love and all that ´pathetic´ think.
AAAAAAAAAAH. I absolutely agree with the second one. I hate when characters (in most ocassions it's the girls) are created so they can be the slutty, long-legged, popular distraction in the MC's relationship with the guy of her dreams (who she probably hasn't even spoken to yet). They're always bitches and whores and sluts and whatnot. Seriously? It's just ridiculous and offensive. Just because a girl is a cheerleader or blonde or pretty it doesn't make her easy. How come we can't get a girl with all those qualities AND a believable personality? Just how many bitchy cheerleaders are we going to get?!
As for the first one... what you say makes sense. A lot. There are weak characters and there are strong characters. Personally, I prefer to read about someone who is realistic - afraid when they have to be, brave when they need to be, etc. I don't believe in the whole "I'm not scared of anything" thing. It's stupid. No teenager feels like that. No teenager would so willingly sacrifice herself/himself. But I don't like reading about girls who need rescuing all the time. I can't stand when a guy tries to control a girl's every move (just what Eddie tries to do to Bella on more than one ocassion).
And even though I was typing this and not saying it out loud, I'm out of breath. Ergo, life is unfair in more than one way :D
Sexism! You listed such great examples, but unfortunately my brain isn't up to capacity to create a thoughtful comment! You can allude it to the awesomeness of your post! *leaves*
I suppose it's true that people like Bella Swan exist out there, and I totally agree- it's not so much the fact that there are weak protagonists in books that bothers me, it's how they're held up as role models. Yeah, no. I'm pretty sure it's not normal to become practically comatose after your boyfriend dumps you.
And yeah, it's weird how in pretty much every high school book there seems to be a hot bitch. I'm not sure how it is in the US, but to be honest I don't think I've ever met anyone like that in real life!
p.s. Edward Cullen :P
The second one=YES! I hate that trope so much! I think it often is tied into issues of slut-shaming but you're right, sometimes it's just kind of it's own thing, but it annoys me so much. Why do the girls have to be enemies? I mean, yes, it's one thing when you're sort-of warring in your head for a love interest, but does that have to turn into an *actual* war?
I haven't read Twilight past the first book, so I couldn't really speak to that example, but I think I'd probably agree with you there too.
I agree about Bella Swan. I don't think it's necessarily bad for protagonists to have negative traits. That's what makes them human. But you're right in that those traits shouldn't be glorified, normalized, or ignored.
Imagine if Bella (or someone close to her) had called Edward on his stalkerish ways, or if she had realized that her all-consuming dependence on Edward wasn't very healthy. It would have sent a much different message to impressionable readers.
Oh, god, that example annoys me so much. Look, I know there's this trope that feminists hate on men, and if one objects to the idea of men always saving the day, then she's being as equally sexist, but really, if you think about it with some objectivity, we're not. It's just that the scenario of a guy "rescuing" a girl has been done too many times, that it has almost become a hidden rule. It's like whenever a male character is introduced, you're expecting him to save the day, because hey, he's a guy..
I know! And it further encourages the jealousy culture that I, personally, would love to erase. Why is it that women are so jealous of each other? Oh, that's right, because ever since we were kids, we were told the beautiful women were up to no good. I personally despise that.
I know, it's gets tiring sometimes to see the same Katniss Everdeen in every book. Not every girl like that, and showing "masculine" traits (if one could call them that), shouldn't be applauded as the only way to be perfect.
It all depends on your own interpretation, I think. Movies and books alike are definitely subjective, and even liking or disliking Twilight doesn't define a reader, it just defines the way they see the character, and how they choose to interpret it. For example, when I first saw Twilight, I was, like many others, in love with Edward. When I rewatched the movies, I discovered things that I had glossed over, or interpreted differently in my first time. Again, reading or watching is an experience, and you have every right to see Bella in whatever way you want.
I know! I initially wanted to write this because of your :characteristics I hate in YA heroines" post. Look, I'm like the strongest hater of anything that promotes jealousy between females, and if anything, movies like that are the main cause. If we were taught that good looking girls are to be hated, we will act accordignyl, and where does that get us? No where. Instead of standing together we tear each other down. And I'm not going to lie, sometimes I still find myself funtctioning with that messed up mentality of judging someone by their looks, but atleast I call my self on it, and try to avoid doing it.
Like you, I don't want a strong as steel character, and I don't want a knock over either. You know what I want? A funny female character. Like, laugh out loud, deliver one liners funny. There's not enough of those.
Whatever man, I'm choosing to believe that wholeheartedly. I'll takes a compliment when I sees it ;) Glad you liked it, though :)
Ugh, the depressive maniac episode she went through? Yeah that wasn't cool. Especially since again, it was dealt with so casually. Correct me if I'm wrong, but did her father ever suggest like.. oh I don't know.. umm.. THERAPY?! His kid is messed up, and she could use medical care.
Good god, I wrote Collins?! *sigh* my brain is skipping.
I knoww! I hate when a book turns girls against each other. It's a mindset and a trope that I am strongly against, because it really does affect the audience, especially the teenage girls watching the movies or reading the books, and they are usually the intended demographic.
I know!! It would have made the book even more complex. Imagine if they were portrayed as the damaged characters they really were, and tried to resolve or heal throughout the book. I think that would have added more layers to the book.
It´s the same think like with "no two person ever read the same book" - we both have our opinions since we are two different people and neither of them are better or worse =),
I read a book first and let´s just say I always acream "turn it off" when seeing it on tv =D. It isn´t bad movie - It just utterly ruined my concept of this world SM created and I had a hard time putting this pieces back together =D.
And I understund why you wrote it - people often take different patterns of behaviour from tv or books, often unintensionaly =(.
*claps* I completely agree on the Bella Swan shaming. I don't mind reading about "weak" protagonist, as long as they are written well and grow, because they are, well, real. Granted, sometimes a "weak" protagonist isn't written well and can be truly irritating, but can't a "kick butt" one be irritating also? It depends on the writing.
Oh my gosh, totally agree. Just because a girl is confident and attractive, she's labeled as a mean person. It's really stupid and unrealistic. And, uh, what's with all the cheerleader hate? Bleh.
You made a great point here about character development. That is very important, especially in a character that starts out as weak. By the end of the book, they don't necessarily need to be strong, but there had to be SOME sort of change or another.
I know right? up until recently I was wired to despise cheerleader, but that is not always the case, is it?
I actually find your opinion on Bella Swan a little contradictory. Isn't good that people see that her acceptance of Edward's behavior is unacceptable? On the other hand, I agree with you completely about the attractive enemy thing. I find it so annoying that the girl dating the guy the MC likes always turns out to be a bad person. It would be far more realistic to let us see that sometimes a teenager dislikes another girl who's dating the guy she likes, but objectively there is nothing wrong with that other girl.
It's definitely a good thing that people don't agree to her carelessness about Edward's stalking habits, but that doesn't mean that everyone did. When I first watched the movie, I barely noticed Edward being creepy (guilty as charged!:P) because it was all portrayed in a warm fuzzy romance plot.
I know, right? There is no reason to put down a girl completely. Some objectivity should be present.