fitnessandfood

I noticed an article on the BBC website today discussing the way in which  cartoons and animations have challenged our traditional perceptions of femininity.  The article raised some interesting concepts about the history of modern perceptions of what it means to be female.  This ranges from Wonderwoman - who one would think, upon first glance, is an early feminist prototype, but in reality still has the big boobs, skimpy clothing and lack of athleticism which defined her male counterpart - to the British comic strip “Fat Slags”.

This comic, created in 1898 by Graham Dury, featured in the alternative magazine Viz and featured the eponymous “slags” San and Tray, whose whole purpose appeared to be to eat junk food and expand at a proportional rate, all the while having unprotected, promiscuous sex and binge drinking.  The two characters were immensely popular for their exaggerated portrait of ladette culture, but this brings up the question, are these traits we really want to celebrate?

While unrepentently open and, in some cases, predatory when it comes to sex, these two characters represent the unhealthy (in both mind and body) image which is replicated across the country in every city and town.

Why must women choose between the skinny, safe but still sexy, female character of male sexual fantasy, or the proto-feminist beer-swilling antics of two fat slags?  Why don’t women have more G.I. Jane role models?

End of rant.

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