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Post Feminism

The document discusses the concept of post-feminism and argues that claims of living in a post-feminist society are ignorant and untrue. It asserts that instances of misogyny and discrimination still occur regularly. It also analyzes how films have propagated the harmful idea that women's happiness depends on men through characters like Bridget Jones who feel unsatisfied by their independence. The document advocates analyzing media through a feminist lens to better understand their superficial and questionable treatment of female characters.

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isha
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73 views1 page

Post Feminism

The document discusses the concept of post-feminism and argues that claims of living in a post-feminist society are ignorant and untrue. It asserts that instances of misogyny and discrimination still occur regularly. It also analyzes how films have propagated the harmful idea that women's happiness depends on men through characters like Bridget Jones who feel unsatisfied by their independence. The document advocates analyzing media through a feminist lens to better understand their superficial and questionable treatment of female characters.

Uploaded by

isha
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Post feminism

In the public discourse over the past few years, a common belief that has gained prominence is that
we live in a post-feminist society. The idea is hinged on the blatantly ignorant assumption that the
recent visibility of women in socioeconomical and political landscape is proof enough to consider
that the objectives of feminism are achieved thus turning feminism or its iterations obsolete in this
era. In fact, some have proclaimed that feminism is a destabilizing force, one that threatens to break
down the supposedly successful social constructs that have existed for thousands of years. While
this chain of thought is an echo of the dominant narrative of male supremacy from the 1900s, the
recent rise of extreme right-wing politics and neoliberalism has ushered in a more intentional age of
people place trying their best to discredit the movement.

When tackling the notion of post feminism, doubts proliferate. The central problem with the
assertion of post feminism that sexism has been solved is the difficulty that arises to call out
instances of misogyny and discrimination when they still occur.

Post feminism erupted from the backlash to feminism seen to be fuelled by an entirely hostile media
that claims feminism is the reason behind the sadness in a women’s life. In films like “Bridget Jones
Diary” the titular character as being unsatisfied and unfulfilled by the independence and choices she
exercises due to the hard work of the feminists before her, and instead craves male attention.
Unfortunately, these ideas are packaged as relatable to the younger members of audience. Bridget
Jone’s sense of loneliness and clumsiness as a character resonates with women due to its realistic
standards for women however it also propagated that Bridget’s sense of loneliness could not be
fulfilled with her work or hobbies but by a man. Therefore, reinforcing the harmful trope that
women require men to truly achieve happiness in life. Moreover, the relatability of the character
mask their messages and markets these post-feminist ideas as honest and sincere.

One of my interests in the past years has been analysing films in terms of their themes, characters
and cinematography. 

It was only when I started to dissect certain films through a feminist lens, I begun to understand the
superficial interest and questionable sincerity of media to bring nuanced female characters to
screen. Some films contain implicit rejection of many tenets held by feminists – who stressed the
disempowering and oppressive aspects of femininity in a male-dominated society. While, others
attempt to please audiences with half-hearted attempts that results in one dimensional characters
termed “Mary Sues” 

Mary Sue is a character (usually a female one) who is unrealistically free of weaknesses

Uncover the true extent of the ignorance of the public towards of women rights and gender equality.

Propagated in the 1990s by the Spice Girls, Girl Power’s defining characteristic is a re-appraisal
of femininity – including the stereotypical symbols of feminine enculturation such as Barbie dolls,
make-up and fashion magazines – as a means of female empowerment and agency

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