My frustration with "Strong Female" Characters

[Psykhronic]

Hollywood relies on stereotypes often, it's very fucking lazy and irritating. Female, male, black, white, brown, trans, cis, gay, all people are subjected to hollywood's ideas of how they should act. And I find it abhorrent as someone who values creativity.

[pineapplebunnybounce]

But even if a girl doesn't fit into the female gender roles, she's still a girl. Doesn't make her a "man with boobs", not trying to read too much into what you said, but a lot of people do think that if girls don't fit into gender roles, well, you're just like a man aren't you. But that's not true. Personally, I can't stand kids. I can't stand doing housework or cooking. I don't like chatting on the phone for hours. I don't like romance novels or movies. I don't like taking care of people, it's not in me. I don't freak out about bugs. I don't scream. But I like shoes, I dress nice, I like makeup. But my life is planned around my career so to speak. Doesn't make me more like a man, I'm just not what you expected to find in a girl. The problem isn't with me, it's that you have been fed the wrong information about girls. Girls like us were fairly underrepresented in the past few decades, the amount of people I've met that flat out refuse to believe that I never want to have children is astounding. But the fact is, I know many girls who have the same attitude as I do about children.

People are complex, gender roles are cookie cutters. The truth is most men and women do not fit into gender roles perfectly, sometimes they try to appear as if they do, but it wouldn't make any sense if we all did. What qualifies as "strong" is pretty stereotypical for men as well. It's always this guy, with some army training, good looking, fairly big, you know the type.

The ability to create a character that is "real" and believable and relatable is what separates the good stuff from the bad stuff. There are plenty of books that don't put as much work into their characters as they do the plot, I've never really liked those. It's forgettable. But there'll always be bad stuff going around, just avoid it.

[rexbeccarox]

It's funny you mention it, Quill. The main character in one of the novels I'm writing is female, and a parody of your "typical female". She loves shopping and pink and sparkly things. She squeals over puppies and babies.

I mean, sure, after she's done squealing over them, she'll kill them with a swift kick to the head, or with a nail gun to the spine, but other than that, she's your "typical female".

[BrokenQuill92]

But even if a girl doesn't fit into the female gender roles, she's still a girl. Doesn't make her a "man with boobs", not trying to read too much into what you said, but a lot of people do think that if girls don't fit into gender roles, well, you're just like a man aren't you. But that's not true. Personally, I can't stand kids. I can't stand doing housework or cooking. I don't like chatting on the phone for hours. I don't like romance novels or movies. I don't like taking care of people, it's not in me. I don't freak out about bugs. I don't scream. But I like shoes, I dress nice, I like makeup. But my life is planned around my career so to speak. Doesn't make me more like a man, I'm just not what you expected to find in a girl. The problem isn't with me, it's that you have been fed the wrong information about girls. Girls like us were fairly underrepresented in the past few decades, the amount of people I've met that flat out refuse to believe that I never want to have children is astounding. But the fact is, I know many girls who have the same attitude as I do about children.

People are complex, gender roles are cookie cutters. The truth is most men and women do not fit into gender roles perfectly, sometimes they try to appear as if they do, but it wouldn't make any sense if we all did. What qualifies as "strong" is pretty stereotypical for men as well. It's always this guy, with some army training, good looking, fairly big, you know the type.

The ability to create a character that is "real" and believable and relatable is what separates the good stuff from the bad stuff. There are plenty of books that don't put as much work into their characters as they do the plot, I've never really liked those. It's forgettable. But there'll always be bad stuff going around, just avoid it.

I suppose it was badly worded.My problem is with mostly the encouraged bashing of "girly" stuff. You know the horror music plays when pink, fluffy, or sparkly things are on screen. Caring about your appearance beyond cleanliness is shallow. And playing with dolls drops your IQ by ten points.

[Minimalist]

Um....man with boobs.



Because we all know that a 90 pound woman can pick up a five pound broadsword for the first time in her life and start killing trained men at arms like she was hacking down wheat.

Let's face it, this genre is designed to give the 13 year old boys who watch the Sci-Fy channel something to wank to.

[pineapplebunnybounce]

But even if a girl doesn't fit into the female gender roles, she's still a girl. Doesn't make her a "man with boobs", not trying to read too much into what you said, but a lot of people do think that if girls don't fit into gender roles, well, you're just like a man aren't you. But that's not true. Personally, I can't stand kids. I can't stand doing housework or cooking. I don't like chatting on the phone for hours. I don't like romance novels or movies. I don't like taking care of people, it's not in me. I don't freak out about bugs. I don't scream. But I like shoes, I dress nice, I like makeup. But my life is planned around my career so to speak. Doesn't make me more like a man, I'm just not what you expected to find in a girl. The problem isn't with me, it's that you have been fed the wrong information about girls. Girls like us were fairly underrepresented in the past few decades, the amount of people I've met that flat out refuse to believe that I never want to have children is astounding. But the fact is, I know many girls who have the same attitude as I do about children.

People are complex, gender roles are cookie cutters. The truth is most men and women do not fit into gender roles perfectly, sometimes they try to appear as if they do, but it wouldn't make any sense if we all did. What qualifies as "strong" is pretty stereotypical for men as well. It's always this guy, with some army training, good looking, fairly big, you know the type.

The ability to create a character that is "real" and believable and relatable is what separates the good stuff from the bad stuff. There are plenty of books that don't put as much work into their characters as they do the plot, I've never really liked those. It's forgettable. But there'll always be bad stuff going around, just avoid it.

I suppose it was badly worded.My problem is with mostly the encouraged bashing of "girly" stuff. You know the horror music plays when pink, fluffy, or sparkly things are on screen. Caring about your appearance beyond cleanliness is shallow. And playing with dolls drops your IQ by ten points.

Yea, I kind of know what you mean. But these days it's like whoever you are, you're getting slighted by another group. So it doesn't really matter anymore. I imagine grownups understand that real people don't act like they do in movies. People are always saying how that is annoying but I'm not sure how it affects people's lives. If you are the ultimate girly girl and people make assumptions about you I would assume you wouldn't like being friends with them to begin with.

[EgoRaptor]

I hate pink.
I love to cook and wear heels.
I hate pink.
I wear pink tones of lipstick, but not on my clothes unles it's a special kind of new pink.
I hate pink.
I love to do my hair and paint my nails.
I hate pink.
I play soccer, but wear cute underwear to feel feminine.
I'm not a man with boobs, yet I don't squeel at the sight of anything other than chocolate bock or bacon.

Why does pink have to be traditional? Sigh.

Pink was traditionally associated with men. Only recently has it become associated with girls. Ever read the Great Gatsby? Gatsby likes to wear pink suits.

[Chad32]

Cooking was once associated with men too. Chefs tend to be men.

[Fruity]

You're awesome, bunnybounce.

I think I'm a good combination of both sides (of whatever it is we're speaking of). I just don't see why I have to fit in a certain pattern. I never dreamed of getting married or having kids, I never played with dolls or barbies, I played with micro machines and hotwheels and action figures, I learned to dress like a girl in my early twenties and I love it, I act like a girl and love love love to cook.

I rather play soccer than go shopping, but I do love to shop for shoes. I like doing other people's makeup and I can change a tire on my own car. I am success driven and love to work outside the home. I love a good suit and I love a nice little black dress. I made bad choices and allowed society (church) to convince me of going for the whole marriage thing, and now we know that's out the window (hopefully there's a solution for the kids sake, but not counting on it), but I don't need a man to complete me. I don't like kids except for mine, and I adore mine. I do, however, enjoy working with kids that society has labeled as difficult, have behavioral health challenges, or are on foster care.

I hate pink, because I refuse to take what is shoved down my throat, which is why I never liked girl toys. I carry my running shoes in my trunk if I wear heels in case I see a park I'd like to run in, and heels when I wear sneakers in case I suddenly feel like being sexy. My family thinks I'm tough and strong for a woman, because they compare me to my traditional sister. My friends think I'm sweet and soft. I punched bullies in the face for messing with my brother when in high school, then fixed my school uniform skirt. I'm a woman. End of story.

[bennyboy]

I hate pink, because I refuse to take what is shoved down my throat

tee hee *snerk*