Definitely "trashed" in the recent Maclean's article that discussed the generation gap between mothers and daughters (and is so thoughtfully called Outraged Moms, Trashy Daughters). In an attempt to talk about the issues young women face today (hypersexualization, representation in the media and post-feminism), the author did present a few poignant moments and interesting points.
But it was pretty hard to start reading when I had to get past those opening photos. They aren't of outraged mothers -- but perhaps Maclean's meant them as an example of the "enlightened sexism" talked about in the article.
Unfortunately, the article interviewed what seems to be one type of Canadian girl: the daughters of university-educated, white, middle class women who decry their daughters' behaviour, while simultaneously recalling the golden days of their own youth:
“But it was a different time,” she says. “Back then there was at least equal premium put on intellect and what was in your head. It was the opposite of ‘Go out and please men.’”
Ahh, the seventies... that innocent decade when women needed men as co-signatories to get a mortgage, a loan and to open a bank account and only 4% of women earned more than men. Oh, for the days when hot pants were just hot pants -- not sensational or sexy -- and absolutely not for pleasing men.The 70s -- that puritanical era known for brains first and bottoms later.
This was just one of many examples of how the article positions its interviewees to create intergenerational rifts.
Of course sexism and feminism have changed over the past forty-odd years and while there certainly is still work to be done, what the article fails to mention at all are the tens of thousands of girls and young women across Canada who deal with real issues concerning their sexuality, how they are perceived by society and portrayed in the media, and how they fight to find a balance in their lives with the myriad of conflicting messages from the media, culture, families and friends.
Thank you Kristen for your positive reflections!
We do indeed need -- and have -- brilliant young women leading the way!
Trashed -- and so what if we're trashy?
Definitely "trashed" in the recent Maclean's article that discussed the generation gap between mothers and daughters (and is so thoughtfully called Outraged Moms, Trashy Daughters). In an attempt to talk about the issues young women face today (hypersexualization, representation in the media and post-feminism), the author did present a few poignant moments and interesting points.
But it was pretty hard to start reading when I had to get past those opening photos. They aren't of outraged mothers -- but perhaps Maclean's meant them as an example of the "enlightened sexism" talked about in the article.
Unfortunately, the article interviewed what seems to be one type of Canadian girl: the daughters of university-educated, white, middle class women who decry their daughters' behaviour, while simultaneously recalling the golden days of their own youth:
Ahh, the seventies... that innocent decade when women needed men as co-signatories to get a mortgage, a loan and to open a bank account and only 4% of women earned more than men. Oh, for the days when hot pants were just hot pants -- not sensational or sexy -- and absolutely not for pleasing men.The 70s -- that puritanical era known for brains first and bottoms later.
This was just one of many examples of how the article positions its interviewees to create intergenerational rifts.
Of course sexism and feminism have changed over the past forty-odd years and while there certainly is still work to be done, what the article fails to mention at all are the tens of thousands of girls and young women across Canada who deal with real issues concerning their sexuality, how they are perceived by society and portrayed in the media, and how they fight to find a balance in their lives with the myriad of conflicting messages from the media, culture, families and friends.
Thank you Kristen for your positive reflections!
We do indeed need -- and have -- brilliant young women leading the way!