American journalist, Steve Sailer, recently gained some attention on Twitter for his post about the Barbie and Oppenheimer movies. Both films will release on July 21st adding to much online discussion this year, leading to competition between the movies. Despite the light-hearted banter between the two fanbases, Sailer decided to voice his opinion. He doesn’t see an issue with these two films going head to head, because there is no overlap in the fanbases. Stating “Barbie fans aren’t really into ‘I have become Death, destroyer of worlds.’”
But, what is so different about these fanbases? For one, the majority of interest in the Barbie movie comes from women. This makes sense when considering the impact Barbie toys and movies had across multiple generations of girls. Since 1959, she has remained a staple as a children’s toy and a cultural icon. The idea that the Oppenheimer and Barbie fanbases have no overlap is a large claim to make.
Is it Barbie viewers or women that Sailer believes have no interest in the creation of the atomic bomb? Could Oppenheimer fans enjoy a film so frivolous or pink? Is the Barbie movie even frivolous at all?
There is little known about the Barbie movie’s plot, but many speculate it will examine the nuances of the doll’s existence and its relationship to modern feminism. If that’s the case then, it is an intelligent film that dives deep into prevalent cultural and systemic issues. Though, people like Sailer may not feel that way if they don’t view those issues as important, or even as issues at all. Even if the Barbie movie does turn out to be a fun and casual comedy, the question of why society finds feminine things unimportant is still worth asking.
A Made-Up Girl in a Man’s World
Women are commonly perceived as being inherently difficult, emotional, and vapid. This belief is what leads women and girls to reject femininity. Many women used to vehemently hate the color pink and refused to be caught wearing a dress under any circumstances. Romantic comedies and films with stories that center around groups of female characters are referred to as “chick flicks.” These were often passed on in favor of movies that were deemed as critically acclaimed.
Women feel pressure to play by the rules of men. In a patriarchal society, women are seen as weak, superficial, and less intelligent. The more a female-identifying person can distance themselves from femininity the more likely they are to be taken seriously. By adjusting themselves to men’s preferences without overly identifying with masculinity they gain the illusion of respect. This fine line women are forced to walk is the reason anyone other than the fictional character masters this balancing act.
In the rom-com How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, the main character tries to trick a man into breaking up with her. She acts clingy, emotional, and more feminine than she actually is. But despite her performance, he still wants her because she is unable to hide her ‘Cool Girl’ traits. The ‘Cool Girl’ is a trope that feeds into the male fantasy of a woman that doesn’t challenge men by playing nonsensical games and displaying irrational feelings. She possesses traits that make her more like “one of the boys” by liking what he likes, drinking beer, and watching sports all while being irresistibly attractive. This cliched character can be found in a variety of media, with the prime purpose of pandering to the male gaze. She is not real, yet so many of us try to be her.
A Problem for Everyone
Due to the patriarchal standards prevalent in society, the interests and experiences of women are often devalued and perceived as inferior. Both men and women are put down for being too feminine because femininity is seen as weaker and less valuable than masculinity. Ostracizing other men for leaning into their feminine traits allows men to increase their social capital in a patriarchal world. In the end, disparaging femininity and gender equality result in insidiously toxic standards in society.
Generally, women are viewed as the more emotionally vulnerable gender. The expectation for men is quite the opposite as male emotions often go without validation. For instance, young boys tend to get bullied for expressing themselves and are told that they are acting like a girl when they cry. Not only does this enforce the idea that traditionally feminine traits are inferior, but it also trains them to hide their sensitivity. Burying their emotions only leads to suffering in silence and an increased risk of mental health issues. With a suicide rate of 3.56x in women alone, it is evident that men need to be allowed to feel their feelings as much as women.
Another symptom of men’s hatred of femininity is aggression. Feelings of sadness or fear develop into emotions that are seen as more manly, like anger which can become volatile if left unchecked. Contrastingly, it is still believed that men and women are more similar than we think. As Bell Hooks writes in All About Love, “All concrete proof indicates that while the perspectives of men and women often differ, these differences are learned characteristics, not innate, or ‘natural,’ traits.” Nonetheless, though there is no fault women and men in embracing both femininity and masculinity, society at large disapproves of people that stray too far from their designated male and female boxes.
We Are Not A Monolith
Overall, it is evident that this long-held disdain for femininity only serves to uphold an oppressive status quo. It is bigger than just defining what kind of films are worth your time. It is defining what kinds of people have important things to offer the world. Barbie and Oppenheimer are extremely different, but seemingly well-thought-out films.
The predominant gender of each of their fanbases has nothing to do with how intellectual or substantive they are. The inferiority of femininity is one of many ideas that exist to limit people. Across all genders, human beings are not a monolith. Characteristics that society has deemed feminine or masculine exist within everyone. As such, no one should feel the pressure to deny aspects of themselves to fit into an oppressive standard. Importance, worthiness, and meaning can come in all kinds of packaging, including sparkly pink boxes.
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