In recent months, I’ve had a recurring thought. I’m reminded of it anytime there are posts or “cute” merch that read, in some form, the future is female. This phrase never makes sense to me, especially when it’s coming from female influencers who are, quite funnily, raising sons. Add in cultural messaging like the movies and it makes me question this empowerment thing. While there is much to consider and think about, one thing that should be true is, empowerment shouldn’t condemn.
Culturally roles between the sexes has been messy through the years. Contrary to what social media friends may assume, I understand where some of this is coming from; and I certainly don’t agree with some of the historical “rules” or “acceptance” between sexes. The argument to change the guard of which sex should “rule” has been a source of dissention for a long time now. We see this in culture, and commentary. Re-inspiring all of this, in part, is the cultural occasion that was the release of the Barbie film. Some say it’s anti-men, while a rare few say it’s pro-men. I don’t see the latter perspective, and think meeting in the middle is actually more honest.
DISCUSSION | I TOOK A WEEK OFF FROM SCREENS. HERE’S HOW IT WENT.
EMPOWERMENT SHOULDN’T COST CONDEMNING THE OPPOSITE SEX. Talking about the #Allure interview with #Shakira. #PopCulture #Discussion #Barbie Click To Tweet
Culture is working to change the guard of the sexes through film. This contrasts scripts even as recent as fifteen years ago. I don’t take any issue with the portrayal of women doing things they didn’t before, but in 2024, I don’t think giving women these skills or talents should mean we bash the opposite sex. Just as allowing men to play to their strength doesn’t have to require degrading women. empowerment shouldn’t condemn
Yes, once a cultural visual norm was (sometimes) making men a god who could do anything without consequence. Regardless of this, I still maintain my perspective. Changing the characterization of women in culture doesn’t require opposing men. Otherwise, we’re simply exchanging one bad norm for another.
In 2024, we should instead create good interactions and relationships between the sexes, something that looks like mutual respect. Not only how the characters see each other, but how the writers portray these characters. Mutual respect is the least we should see, and there’s a way to do this that still allows there to be fun.
What re-inspires these thoughts is a recent cover feature with Shakira. In an interview with Allure, she discusses Barbie. Her thoughts primarily in consideration of her sons. She says:
“I’m raising two boys. I want ’em to feel powerful too [while] respecting women. I like pop culture when it attempts to empower women without robbing men of their possibility to be men, to also protect and provide. […] men have a purpose in society and women have another purpose as well. We complement each other, and that complement should not be lost.”
– Shakira
I agree with her to a degree. We do and should complement each other, and too often in culture this is dreadfully lost. Women also don’t have to lose their femininity even if they do want to do something unusual. Reading the rest of the article makes it clear that Shakira isn’t about silence. She talks also about the patriarchy and how she believes the reason for it is to keep women “silent.” I take issue with some of what she says, but do think her thoughts about her sons are honest. Women raising sons should want them to matter and they should have opinions on how culture portrays their children. Some readers agree with her, while others on the Internet say she misses the point of Barbie and that it’s satire.
EMPOWERMENT SHOULDN’T COST CONDEMNING THE OPPOSITE SEX. Talking about the #Allure interview with #Shakira. #PopCulture #Discussion #Barbie Click To Tweet
To a degree, yes, Barbie is satire, and the whole journey of Ken is that he’s been “nothing” but an accessory for Barbie. In some ways the film allows Ken to matter outside of Barbie’s boyfriend. While “the future is female” may be a cute catchphrase and looks cute on artwork, it’s also something culture presses. No one is here to argue that women haven’t, at times, been mistreated in culture. The way to change isn’t to do the same to men. What is more impacting is seeing that complimentary partnership. There should be compromise and respect, and it’s this we should see reflected in culture. Perhaps then, we may start to see deeper and better reflections of what makes men and women uniquely special on their own, and together in a complimentary way. empowerment shouldn’t condemn
Did you see Shakira’s thoughts on the fact that ‘empowerment shouldn’t condemn’? Did you agree or disagree? What do you think about culture’s portrayal of men and women? Do you think culture has made improvements on portrayals of the sexes? Comment all of your thoughts down below.
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What a thoughtfully written essay. I wholeheartedly agree with you. I’ve always wondered why modern feminism insist on bashing masculinity. We don’t have to build ourselves up by tearing others down. I love the idea of the sexes being complementary to each other. Instead of playing us versus them, let’s partner together and support each other.
Thank you SO much for taking the time to read, Brittaney. I like writing things like this but I tend to “obsess” over them and change things to a point when they don’t make sense in the end. ;) But I keep trying.
I always enjoy reading your thoughts and agree. We don’t need to be negative about others in order to accomplish things and in 2024, which I know has lots of issues that have nothing to do with this topic, I think we should be WELL past this attitude. We do compliment each other and we should behave like we do. :)