Please, someone, anyone, Rescue Me from all of the male stereotypes that the television series displayed in the pilot episode. Even though I do consider myself a feminist, I found myself becoming immensely angry at the writers of Rescue Me and the producers for allowing it to happen! How are men able to show that they have true, genuine feelings when television shows like this exist?! I know that some men - as terrible as it is - are like the men that we meet in the Rescue Me; however, many men are not. How would I feel as a man after watching this show? Would I be enraged that they expressed men as womanizers with a bad mouth and not much to show for it?
Don't get me wrong, I found this show enjoyable; the crude humor, great acting, and story was captivating. But how are men supposed to get away from the stereotypes that they lack feelings such as empathy, are crude, and overall pigs? Even the one character in the story who was in a support group and wrote poetry as a form of therapy was made fun of behind his back for being too sensitive.
Now, I know women have been trying for years upon years to push away from the stereotype of a fifties housewife, but how long have men been trying to get away from the macho stereotype and how long will it take them to do so? With shows like Rescue Me, perhaps never.
Kerri,
ReplyDeleteThanks for bringing that up. I know I got too busy being mad about the way the women were treated to focus on the men. Damaging stereotypes about men can be just as dangerous--and, well, damaging--as those about women. If men weren't told it's okay to be violent and oppressive, would they be? The established order (yes: code for the patriarchy) hurts everyone.
Very good points; and for the most part, these ARE stereotypes. However, I will say that as the show progresses through several seasons, the challenges faced by the characters do force them to confront their stereotypical behavior. They don't always change, but there is -some- evolution along the way. Some of them even confront their sexuality and orientation head on. It's even more interesting to me to see the ways in which these characters refuse to change and grow; what is it about their constant angst and pain that makes them want to stay the way they are?
ReplyDelete