The Rise of Enlightened Sexism : How Pop Culture Took Us From Girl Power to Girls Gone Wild

Women today are inundated with conflicting messages from the mass media: they must either be strong leaders in complete command or sex kittens obsessed with finding and pleasing a man. In __The Rise Of Enlightened Sexism__, Susan J. Douglas, one of America's most entertaining and insightful cultural critics, takes readers on a spirited journey through the television programs, popular songs, movies, and news coverage of recent years, telling a story that is nothing less than the cultural biography of a new generation of American women. Revisiting cultural touchstones from __Buffy the Vampire Slayer__ to __Survivor__ to __Desperate Housewives__, Douglas uses wit and wisdom to expose these images of women as mere fantasies of female power, assuring women and girls that the battle for equality has been won, so there's nothing wrong with resurrecting sexist stereotypes--all in good fun, of course. She shows that these portrayals not only distract us from the... From the author of Where the Girls Are , a sharp and irreverent critique of how women are portrayed in today's popular culture Women today are inundated with conflicting messages from the mass media: they must either be strong leaders in complete command or sex kittens obsessed with finding and pleasing a man. In Enlightened Sexism , Susan J. Douglas, one of America's most entertaining and insightful cultural critics, takes readers on a spirited journey through the television programs, popular songs, movies, and news coverage of recent years, telling a story that is nothing less than the cultural biography of a new generation of American women. Revisiting cultural touchstones from Buffy the Vampire Slayer to Survivor to Desperate Housewives , Douglas uses wit and wisdom to expose these images of women as mere fantasies of female power, assuring women and girls that the battle for equality has been won, so there's nothing wrong with resurrecting sexist stereotypesall in good fun, of course. She shows that these portrayals not only distract us from the real-world challenges facing women today but also drive a wedge between baby-boom women and their "millennial" daughters. In seeking to bridge this generation gap, Douglas makes the case for casting aside these retrograde messages, showing us how to decode the mixed messages that restrict the ambitions of women of all ages. And what makes Enlightened Sexism such a pleasure to read is Douglas's unique voice, as she blends humor with insight and offers an empathetic and sisterly guide to the images so many women love and hate with equal measure.

Women today are inundated with conflicting messages from the mass media: they must either be strong leaders in complete command or sex kittens obsessed with finding and pleasing a man. In The Rise Of Enlightened Sexism, Susan J. Douglas, one of America's most entertaining and insightful cultural critics, takes readers on a spirited journey through the television programs, popular songs, movies, and news coverage of recent years, telling a story that is nothing less than the cultural biography of a new generation of American women.

Revisiting cultural touchstones from Buffy the Vampire Slayer to Survivor to Desperate Housewives, Douglas uses wit and wisdom to expose these images of women as mere fantasies of female power, assuring women and girls that the battle for equality has been won, so there's nothing wrong with resurrecting sexist stereotypes—all in good fun, of course. She shows that these portrayals not only distract us from the real-world challenges facing women today but also drive a wedge between baby-boom women and their "millennial" daughters.

In seeking to bridge this generation gap, Douglas makes the case for casting aside these retrograde messages, showing us how to decode the mixed messages that restrict the ambitions of women of all ages. And what makes The Rise Of Enlightened Sexism such a pleasure to read is Douglas's unique voice, as she blends humor with insight and offers an empathetic and sisterly guide to the images so many American women love and hate with equal measure.

Women today are inundated with conflicting messages from the mass media: they must either be strong leaders in complete command or sex kittens obsessed with finding and pleasing a man. In The Rise Of Enlightened Sexism, Susan J. Douglas, one of America's most entertaining and insightful cultural critics, takes readers on a spirited journey through the television programs, popular songs, movies, and news coverage of recent years, telling a story that is nothing less than the cultural biography of a new generation of American women.

Revisiting cultural touchstones from Buffy the Vampire Slayer to Survivor to Desperate Housewives, Douglas uses wit and wisdom to expose these images of women as mere fantasies of female power, assuring women and girls that the battle for equality has been won, so there's nothing wrong with resurrecting sexist stereotypes—all in good fun, of course. She shows that these portrayals not only distract us from the real-world challenges facing women today but also drive a wedge between baby-boom women and their "millennial" daughters.

In seeking to bridge this generation gap, Douglas makes the case for casting aside these retrograde messages, showing us how to decode the mixed messages that restrict the ambitions of women of all ages. And what makes The Rise Of Enlightened Sexism such a pleasure to read is Douglas's unique voice, as she blends humor with insight and offers an empathetic and sisterly guide to the images so many American women love and hate with equal measure.

Women Today Are Inundated With Conflicting Messages From The Mass Media: They Must Either Be Strong Leaders In Complete Command Or Sex Kittens Obsessed With Finding And Pleasing A Man. Here, Cultural Critic Susan J. Douglas Takes Readers On A Spirited Journey Through The Television Programs, Popular Songs, Movies, And News Coverage Of Recent Years, Telling A Story That Is The Cultural Biography Of A New Generation Of American Women. Revisiting Cultural Touchstones From Buffy The Vampire Slayer To Desperate Housewives, Douglas Exposes These Images Of Women As Mere Fantasies Of Female Power, Assuring Women And Girls That The Battle For Equality Has Been Won, So There's Nothing Wrong With Resurrecting Sexist Stereotypes--all In Good Fun, Of Course. She Shows That These Portrayals Not Only Distract Us From The Real-world Challenges Facing Women Today But Also Drive A Wedge Between Baby-boom Women And Their Millennial Daughters.--from Publisher Description. Get The Girls -- Castration Anxiety -- Warrior Women In Thongs -- The New Girliness -- You Go, Girl -- Sex R Us -- Reality Bites -- Lean And Mean -- Red Carpet Mania -- Women On Top ... Sort Of. Susan J. Douglas. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [307]-334) And Index. Revisiting cultural touchstones, such as 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' and 'Survivor to Desperate Housewives' the author explores images images of women. She argues that these portrayals distract from the real-world challenges facing women today and drive a wedge between baby-boom women and their daughters Get the girls -- Castration anxiety -- Warrior women in thongs -- The new girliness -- You go girl -- Sex "R" us -- Reality bites -- Lean and mean girls -- Red carpet mania -- Women on top--sort of Get the girls Castration anxiety Warrior women in thongs The new girliness You go girl Sex "R" us Reality bites Lean girls-mean girls Red carpet mania Women on top sort of.