As a student attending an all-girls high school, my world is rife with discussion of female empowerment, strong women, and how young women can become leaders in this world. So there’s a chance that I am being a little biased when I say that women still have some fight left in them, that we are not yet equal, that we can do more. Furthermore, I promise that my opinions against Bella, the female protagonist of Twlight and subject of a masochistic love story with a vampire, Edward, are rife with prejudice. This, by the way, is a contention against the sentiments of post-feminism. I concede that there are women who choose not to attempt leadership in society; that is not me, but I understand. However, I contend that for women as a whole to reach equality, we must not dismiss feminism as a completed fight ended decades ago; rather, a continued journey with phases defined by different arguments and desires. This is where a draw a line with Twilight, as I can only see it as a blatant support of a post-feminist return to domesticity.
This assertion that we are not yet in a post-feminist society, past feminism and victorious in our fight as women, is not only my own; it is backed by research and statements by powerful women. One of the first that I think of is Dr. Guleserian, the head surgeon of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Children’s Medical Center Dallas whom I had the pleasure of shadowing two summers ago. She explained to me that at conferences, she often finds herself as the only woman in a room full of twenty men. (Does that sound equal?) Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Facebook, describes her experiences in similar situations in her best-selling feminist book Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead.
That’s not to say that there is not opportunity available for women. There is. Women have made such strides in education that they often represent more than half of the student body at many of the nation’s top universities. But often it seems more women choose the domestic sphere than do men, even those which would have been incredible leaders in society. The question then arises—why?
In my research of this topic, I have encountered articles about “alpha” versus “beta” women and how to be an alpha female or, in contrast, an alpha male. Initially, what I found stunning about these articles in relation to the discussion of Twilight was that Bella displays many if not all of the traits associated with beta women (essentially content to live a life of housewifery and submit to the whims of her controlling husband); yet, there remains an argument that she is in fact an alpha women simply because we live in a post-feminist society and submission and domesticity were her choice. In my opinion, fallacy leaks so abundantly through the cracks in that sentiment that it causes a flood so blatant it is no wonder other bloggers have noticed Bella’s “moping scarecrow” demeanor. (Next time you see a CEO of a company, I’d like for you to see if they remind you a moping scarecrow...I doubt it.)
So then here’s the thing? How could Bella be a positive influence on girls? This book has been wildly popular and undoubtedly influences the adolescent girls who read it. I believe that young girls should be encouraged towards becoming alpha women by first being taught that it is a good thing to be an alpha girl. This way we can continue our fight towards equality. Some women may choose to stay home, but at least the path will continue to be widened for the girls and women who choose to do otherwise. In this view, is Bella not, in fact, a poor influence?
Again, allow me to reiterate my personal feminist sentiments and desire not to offend you but simply to enjoy a conversation with you. Please comment below. I would love to hear your thoughts.
This assertion that we are not yet in a post-feminist society, past feminism and victorious in our fight as women, is not only my own; it is backed by research and statements by powerful women. One of the first that I think of is Dr. Guleserian, the head surgeon of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Children’s Medical Center Dallas whom I had the pleasure of shadowing two summers ago. She explained to me that at conferences, she often finds herself as the only woman in a room full of twenty men. (Does that sound equal?) Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Facebook, describes her experiences in similar situations in her best-selling feminist book Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead.
That’s not to say that there is not opportunity available for women. There is. Women have made such strides in education that they often represent more than half of the student body at many of the nation’s top universities. But often it seems more women choose the domestic sphere than do men, even those which would have been incredible leaders in society. The question then arises—why?
In my research of this topic, I have encountered articles about “alpha” versus “beta” women and how to be an alpha female or, in contrast, an alpha male. Initially, what I found stunning about these articles in relation to the discussion of Twilight was that Bella displays many if not all of the traits associated with beta women (essentially content to live a life of housewifery and submit to the whims of her controlling husband); yet, there remains an argument that she is in fact an alpha women simply because we live in a post-feminist society and submission and domesticity were her choice. In my opinion, fallacy leaks so abundantly through the cracks in that sentiment that it causes a flood so blatant it is no wonder other bloggers have noticed Bella’s “moping scarecrow” demeanor. (Next time you see a CEO of a company, I’d like for you to see if they remind you a moping scarecrow...I doubt it.)
So then here’s the thing? How could Bella be a positive influence on girls? This book has been wildly popular and undoubtedly influences the adolescent girls who read it. I believe that young girls should be encouraged towards becoming alpha women by first being taught that it is a good thing to be an alpha girl. This way we can continue our fight towards equality. Some women may choose to stay home, but at least the path will continue to be widened for the girls and women who choose to do otherwise. In this view, is Bella not, in fact, a poor influence?
Again, allow me to reiterate my personal feminist sentiments and desire not to offend you but simply to enjoy a conversation with you. Please comment below. I would love to hear your thoughts.