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Alyssa Lopez

Jennifer Rodrick

English 115

9 December 2017

The Femme Fatale: A Look at Gender Inequality in Hollywood

One of biggest highlights for me this summer was getting to see the new live action

Wonder Woman film with my whole family. When I suggested we go, my nine-year old brother

gave me a hard time. As I was excited to see nonstop action from powerful female role-models,

my brother seemed uninterested. I tried to explain to him that the movie would be like any other

Marvel or DC comic movie, but the sad truth was that he did not see Wonder Woman as a

superhero blockbuster, he saw it as another girl movie. The fact that a female lead hero movie is

only one in a sea of male dominated action films demonstrates how Hollywood does a poor job

of teaching and shaping women to be confident, strong, and diverse figures by failing to provide

opportunities to portray female power. Amidst all of its glitz and glamour Hollywood negatively

affects women and girls perception of themselves through the lack of roles in film and

television, portraying women through limited domestic roles, and by depicting women through

simplistic, easy storylines.

From early childhood girls are taught to play with dolls instead of cars or take dance

instead of sports yet, none of those things dominate tv or what we let young people watch. As of

2017, out of the 18 films the Pixar company has produced only 2 have had female protagonists.

This startling depiction is not only presented in childrens films but it is especially present in big

blockbusters. In the analysis It's a Mans (Celluloid) World: On Screen Representations of

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Female Characters in the Top 100 Films of 2014, Dr. Martha M. Lauzen conducted a statistical

research that reports analysis of over 2,300 characters appearing in the top 100 grossing films of

2014. In one of her findings, she reported that in 2014, Females compromised 12% of

protagonists, this alarming lack of female leads is Hollywoods blunt way of saying they dont

want to hear stories about women (Lauzen). This deprived representation on the big screen

further ingrains the idea in women that they are simply not important enough to be seen on

screen. Dr. Lauzens statistics not only showcase women but also focus specifically on the

representation of women of color. Her findings suggest that, Moviegoers were almost as likely

to see another-worldly female as they were to see a Latina or Asian female character,

disappointingly, these statistics reaffirm the lack of representation for women of color which in

turn reflects Hollywoods dismissal of diverse female role models (Lauzen). Without characters

to identify with minority women group up with gender stereotypes that eventually become

deep-rooted and passed on through generations. Moreover, Lauzens reports depict Hollywoods

ageist views of older women by refusing to showcase them in film or tv. Her statistics indicate

that, Female characters remain younger than their male counterparts, the absence of roles for

women over 30 in Hollywood gives off the impression that women have some sort of expiration

date (Lauzen). Not depicting men and women equally at the same stages of life suggests that

men can retain strength and an essence of adventure longer while women lose value, and

importance, quickly. Of course there are obvious exceptions to this such as Greys Anatomy, a

medical drama about the life a young female surgeon following in her legendary mother's

footsteps. Doc McStuffins, a childrens show about a young black girl who wants to be a doctor.

Or American Horror Story, whos cast consists mostly of women whom are mostly over 30. Yet
 Lopez, 3

women and young women especially can get the wrong perception of themselves if every

seasons box office is dominated by male leads and only occasional depictions of the female

perspective.

If being seen on screen is already a problem, once women do obtain roles in movies or tv

the part itself is very limited. In her memoir, A Lesson in Becoming Myself, Oscar-winning

actress Ellen Burstyn looks back on her experience in the film Alice Doesnt Live Here Anymore

and her involvement in creating a seismic shift in the way Hollywood viewed women. Burstyn

reflects on when movie studios would send her roles to read for and she noted that, all the roles

for women were either a victim, a wife, or a prostitute. There was no script where the woman

was the protagonist, by only providing secondary roles for women they are no longer seen as

equals (Burstyn). In turn, women then view themselves as secondary and an attitude of male

inferiority is built up from years of characters constantly saving their female counterparts.

Looking again at Dr. Martha M. Lauzens statistical analysis It's a Mans (Celluloid) World: On

Screen Representations of Female Characters in the Top 100 Films of 2014, her reports suggest

that female roles focus more on social oriented goals. Lauzen demonstrates that the parts

available to women are focused on simple goals, she states, Male characters were more likely

than female characters to have an unknown marital status and A higher proportion of male

than female characters had an identifiable occupational status, thus female roles become more
 Lopez, 4

vague, domestic, whereas men are constantly occupied and have goals (Lauzen). With no drive

or dimension to the female composition Hollywood creates an atmosphere of generic, simple

women who dont contribute much to the society they are apart of. Furthermore, in the article,

Gender Stereotypes Are Messing with Your Kid, Caroling Knorr moves forward with the idea

that when even the smallest form of gender stereotyping is exposed to young girls it makes them

question their values and affects how they think about themselves and what they can be. As she

says, A lifetime of viewing stereotypical media becomes so ingrained it can immediately affect

kids career choices, self-worth, relationships, and ability to achieve their full potential, this

implies that young girls are conditioned by what they watch to remain submissive and secondary

(Knorr). While boys are constantly reassured by strong leaders and encouraged to try new things,

girls are taught to stick to the status quo and create minimal goals for themselves. Notable

exceptions include The Walking Deads Michonne, an incredibly strong fighter and survivor in

the zombie apocalypse. Moana, an adventurous wayfinder drawn to the sea and destined to save

her island. Or Kathy Bates in literally any roles shes ever played. These examples prove that

Hollywood should know that women are sick of seeing the stereotypical housewives or sad

victim and that theyre ready for roles with multi-dimensions, strong archetypes, and life to

them.
 Lopez, 5

One of my favorite movies to watch growing up was Another Cinderella Story, a

modernized retelling of Cinderella starring Hilary Duff. I loved the film because of the

characters, fashion, and setting but upon further reflection of the film the message is the same as

an other stereotypical princess movie. In this example, although presented with a female lead,

stories like these involve simple narratives that young women grow up watching that producers

hope that can relate to but they take away from more tangible goals. Taking another look at Dr.

Lauzens statistical report she finds dramatic differences between a male storyline and a female

storyline. The findings suggest that, Males were more likely than females to be identified solely

by work-related roles and females by personal life-related roles inferring that women can only

excel in their personal lives and further limiting their future potential (Lauzen). Reinforced by

Hollywoods infinite number of rom-com films for women and only a handful of female lead

action films. Looking closer at actress Ellen Burstyns memoir A Lesson in Becoming Myself, she

talks about her role in the development of the film Alice Doesnt Live Here Anymore. Burstyn

explains that when arguing about the ending of the film she responds to a producers sexist idea

with if she winds up with a man, it's a happy ending, and if she doesnt, its unhappy ending,

demonstrating Hollywoods want to simplify solutions for female lead pieces; as if obtaining a

man is the only satisfaction a woman needs (Burstyn). Finally, by writing these narratives for

women Hollywood hinders future generations of women from future ambition and makes them

feel insignificant in society.

In conclusion, this topic really hits home for me as both a woman and an actress I

sometimes fear that the industry I am apart of doesnt portray women in all their glory. Women

make up more than half of the worlds population which makes us a sizeable force to be
 Lopez, 6

reckoned with and with that many female voices in the world it's absurd that we still remain

voiceless throughout tv and film. The environment Hollywood surrounds women in suggests

they are not important enough to be seen, can only do limited things in life, and can only lead

simple lives. As this is not an accurate representation of real life I refuse to accept this and as

more and more women call out these prehistoric stereotypes a more reflective society of the true

women will begin to be seen on our screens. Movies and tv shows will show the world how

strong, multilayered, and exceptional women are and future generations of girls will be able to

explore their identities through biased free entertainment.

 Lopez, 7

Works Cited Page

Burstyn, Ellen. "A Lesson in Becoming Myself: Would she marry the guy? Or have a career?
ccOscar-winning actress Ellen Burstyn looks back on her tug-of-war with the studio over
ccthe ending to Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore, and the brilliant, unexpected solution
ccthat signaled a seismic shift in the way Hollywood--and the country--viewed women."
ccO, The Oprah Magazine, November 2006, p. 255-259. General OneFile.
ccAccessed 19 October 2017.
Dickey, Josh. 'Moana' is a Thanksgiving bliss-bomb will put your family in a sparking,
ccsing-along mood Mashable, 23 November 2016.
cchttp://mashable.com/2016/11/23/moana-review-disney-movie-princess-how-far-ill-go/
ccAccessed 19 October 2017.
Knorr, Caroline. Gender Stereotypes Are Messing with Your Kid Common Sense Media, June
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ccAccessed 19 October 2017.
Lauzen, Dr. Martha M. Its a Mans (Celluloid) World: On-Screen Representations of Female
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 Lopez, 8

The Movie My Life Tagstr,

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