Miss Representation breached a topic in my mind that I haven’t, until now, been able to discuss. I've always found the feminine role in American mass media to be horribly under representative of our society. A few weeks ago, a professor introduced me to an interesting "test" first shown in a comic published by Alison Bechdel. The "Bechdel Test," as it has come to be known in the cinematic world, requires three criterion for a film to pass-- 1.) The film must have at least two women in it. 2.) Women must talk to each other in the film. 3.) Their conversation must be about something other than a man. The number of films that fail to pass the test is shocking (The Social Network, The original Star Wars Trilogy, The entire Lord of the Rings series, just to name a few). It isn't even the fact that so many movies fail to pass this test that shocks me, but more so that fact I didn't even notice it. American media's representation as the female character's status being little more than the object of the male's desire has come to exists as the status quo. This incredible under representation of strong female characters who desire more than just male affection presents a massive problem. Children come to emulate those who they idolize, and cinematic characters often fill those roles.
An earlier post mentioned the increasing percentage of women with psychological problems as a result of their self-image. As they said, this is largely a result of the unobtainable standard in which the feminine form is presented in mass media. Take a moment and try to think of film that presents an objectively physically unattractive woman obtaining the affection of an objectively physically attractive male. Off the top of my head, I can’t. I have no problem, however, coming up with a film in which the schlubby guy gets the girl in the end. Yes, the answer is anything with Seth Rogen. This contrast highlights the objectification of women in mass media by showing society’s approval of a woman judging a man for more than his appearance. However, it also highlights the disapproval of dominant, intelligent, powerful female figures being portrayed for the masses to see. Does male society see these characters as a slight to its masculinity? If the traditional gender roles of the 1950’s are gone and society claims to view men and women on the same plane, why aren’t they presented in such a manner in mass media?
That is a really interesting test. After running through a few movies in my head I can definitely believe that there are plenty that wouldn't pass that test. I'm not surprised that I didn't notice it, we become accustomed to the way that people are portrayed in the entertainment industry and when it's all the same it doesn't seem out of the ordinary. It makes me wonder if there are similar tests that exist for the presence or role of people in minorities in movies. Because a lot of times, when members of minority groups are depicted in movies they tend to play the same kinds of roles.
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