"Enlightened Sexism: The Seductive Message that Feminism's Work Is Done"

[MadrasT]

http://www.amazon.com/Enlightened-Sexism-Seductive-Message-Feminisms/dp/080508326X/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

Has anyone read this? Or is anyone familiar with the author, Susan J. Douglas?

It looks interesting.

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 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 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.

One review:

From Publishers Weekly:

In a sharp-witted polemic against the media's stereotyping of females and feminism, University of Michigan communications professor Douglas (Where the Girls Are) parses music, movies, magazines, television dramas, reality TV, and news coverage to demonstrate how the girl power of the early '90s developed into enlightened sexism: a response, deliberate or not, to the perceived threat of a new gender regime. Given women's progress, enlightened sexism assumes, now it's okay, even amusing, to resurrect sexist stereotypes of girls and women. According to Douglas, this media trend includes stereotypes of black women as lazy and threatening in characters like Big Momma or Omarosa on The Apprentice, and the insidious sexualization of young girls. Douglas supports her analysis with data, such as on women's continuing inequitable pay and professional opportunities, black women's struggles for equality, and the negative consequences of the rising use of plastic surgery. And while the media have focused on girls bullying other girls, a much bigger problem, says Douglas, is sexual harassment of young girls by boys. Readers may not agree with Douglas's politics, but her position that women's interests are being harmed by the media is well argued and well documented.

[seabeyond]

1. looks like lots to read. sound so interesting. gonna get on it later. things to do, lol

thanks for this

[redqueen]

2. Haven't read it,

but I sure will! Thanks so much for this. Sorely needed stuff.

[seabeyond]

3. there’s nothing wrong with resurrecting sexist stereotypes—all in good fun. enlightened sexism

"women's interests are being harmed by the media is well argued and well documented."

told you i was in a hurry earlier and didnt read. i see it is another excellent looking book. probably piss me off all the way thru, and probably not a good idea to read lying next to hubby at night, lol lol. but, i see there is not a lot to read. you provided about all of it.

good. i hope people read it.

did you ever read the caroline fine book? or is it gathering dust?

[MadrasT]

4. Yeah all I have is the Amazon link right now.

Last edited Mon Jun 18, 2012, 10:46 PM - Edit history (1)

Last night BF was defending sex positive feminists and I went on a rant about how to me, it looks like a bunch of women selling themselves out by adopting the trappings of male approved sexuality to attain male approval and dressing it up by calling it "sexual empowerment" (blah blah blah, y'all know the rest).

He said he never thought about it that way before and did I think that up or are other feminists talking about that? And I said "No I didn't 'think it up' and there are blogs and articles and I am sure there are whole books about it."

So he found me a couple books on Amazon that seemed related and sent me the links. This was one of them.

He wants to read it when I am done.

Ha.

[seabeyond]

6. ha.... lol

you kicked some ass and good for you but more... good for him for LISTENING and ACTUALLY thinking about it. and then further finding some books.

i am in love..... you tell him so. if he wants to dump you, lol lol. so teasing. even if mine is not that, i still love him.

[MadrasT]

5. Oh and partway through the Fine book.

Love it so far.

[seabeyond]

7. do ya. anything relevant POST. nt

[sufrommich]

8. Thanks for the link,Madras.

This looks like a must read.