KO students and faculty have something to say about how women have been portrayed in television and film. Historically, women have always been portrayed as softer, gentler, second to men.
The 1960s and 70s’ efforts to give women the same opportunities as men have shaped television and film in both noticeable and unexpected ways. In the 1950s and 60s, it was Lucy Ricardo (Lucille Ball) and Laura Petrie (Mary Tyler Moore) who paved the way for more characters like them in the industry. Today, new films and television shows with powerful female protagonists have begun to influence a new generation.
That being said, eight-grader Rachael Lantner had trouble coming up with the first female protagonist to come to mind. “I don’t really remember a lot of the media that I watch, but as far as I can remember most of the protagonists have been male,” she said. “Because I can’t remember well, I would have to say Supergirl.”
While most students could agree that they dislike the social norms of the 60s, some have rationalized it too. “I don’t like that all women are stereotyped at every second, that they are either perfect housewives or the tomboy,” eighth-grader Julie Werner said. “But if the TV shows broke social norms, they wouldn’t have made nearly as much money and would be put out of business.”
As society changes, portrayals of women change as well. However, English teacher Beth Repp thinks that we still have a long way to go. “I feel good about it, but we are not there yet,” she said. “Female directors are in the driver’s seat and I think until women are the ones making the movies and the shows as equally as their male counterparts, then we will still see women as underrepresented in some aspects of their lives.”
