How Hollywood demonizes ultra femininity

We’ve grown up on teen films where our heroines have to defeat all odds to finally be happy. These odds also include a mean girl antagonist. However, have you noticed that most of these mean girls have been ultra-feminine, fashion forward women with inspiring confidence? And when exactly did these women’s beauty and ‘girly’-likes translate into shallow, substanceless, one dimensional characters? ?

Lets take a classic example, Mean Girls.

Cady Heron from Mean Girls is a simple “not like other girls” character until she joins the Plastics. This is when she has a complete 180 and she turns evil. With her high heels, short skirts and makeup comes her vicious persona. Moreover she isn't regarded as a good person again until she leaves the glamorous world of the Plastics.

Taking another classic, The princess diaries features Lana Thomas, the main antagonist. She is portrayed as the ice cold,snooby, popular blonde with an attitude problem. Who seemingly always looks put together with her blow dried hair and mini skirts. Her character is in direct contrast to Mia Thermopolis, the brunette,who doesn’t care about her looks and is the tomboyish ‘ugly’ character

What is the outcome of all of this? With the idea of femininity being synonymous with evil, feminine characters in media are often depicted the same way: catty, boy obsessed, and obsessed cutthroat girls.

Ever since the beginning of civilization, things labelled as "feminine" have long been scorned upon in our society. Be it arguing that “Feminism” Shouldn’t Have The Word “Female” In It or simply feeding into the “not like other girls” notion. Our culture devalues femininity in all kinds of ways, and so much of the time, we don't even notice it's happening.

The power of media lies in its ability to sway opinions, particular accounts and interpretations of events, issues and people in society. Even if these are not accepted by audiences their presence gives them status, importance and validity. Thus the common portrayals of the ultra feminine women in a negative connotation, is a step back.