I love your list! Thank you! It reminds me of Joanna Russ’ book “How To Suppress Women’s Writing” where she identifies common mechanisms used to underestimate women writers’ work [and artists’], and to undermine them. These mechanisms include ignoring women writers completely. They also include dismissing women’s work because they write about the ‘wrong’ things, condemning them for writing in the wrong genre, blaming them for what others have deleted from their work, or simply joking about them. I’ve often noticed the use of all these mechanisms as I talk with and about, and read about, women scriptwriters and directors. I think that the mechanisms are based on beliefs generated by fear of the unfamiliar or the ‘different’, and depend on fixed ideas about the meanings of gender, ethnicity, age, sexuality, ability, resources, appearance, role or what a script or film is or should be. I return again and again to “How to Suppress Women’s Writing”, because—like your list—it reminds me of specific behaviours that affect women storytellers, and stories about women and girls that reach the screen.
Regarding “Spunky”, I have heard people describe little boys having “spunk”.
There was a TV cartoon from the late 1950s called “Spunky and Tadpole” (both characters are boys; Spunky is human and Tadpole is a talking bear).
In a finale movie of “Ed, Edd n Eddy”, Eddy’s brother said to Edd that he “has spunk”, although it was used in an insulting way (immediately after he said that line he slammed him into the ground in a cartoon fashion)
She’s “promiscuous”; he’s “studly” or “a ladies’ man”.
On a whim, I decided to google “picard is” “kirk is” “sisko is” and “janeway is” to see what kind of descriptors I got. I’m disappointed, but not surprised, at the obvious sexist and racist slants to the results I got for Janeway and Sisko.
Kirk and Picard:
resourceful
courageous
heroic
genius
daring
charismatic
revolutionary
authoritative
inspiring
a leader
masterful
a superior ___
tough
clever
intimidating
mischievous
powerful
brilliant
a genius
bold
confident
brawny
stodgy
Sisko:
a pimp
complex
short-tempered
wise
young
a badass
incredible
loud
angry
Here are some words I’ve heard in kids’ pop culture in reference to females that drive me crazy. I’m not sure there are male equivalents but would certainly love to hear suggestions. The words are: nag and catfight. Thanks!
Headstrong (stubborn)
Confident (Can’t tell him a damn thing)
Curious (antisocial)
Organized (anal retentive)
Outspoken (Has to have the last word all the time)
Incidentally, thinking over my experiences man-and-boy, I’m really hard pressed to recall when the word “assertive” was associated with a masculine pronoun except for: “He really needs to become more assertive.” No really, even when it would fit, people don’t use that to describe dudes. “That character John Wayne played, he was really assertive.” Doesn’t happen. It would waste time and syllables describing something everyone would expect anyway.
But how many times have I heard females described this way? Tons! Very often when someone is thinking of putting a girl or woman in a position of authority: She’d be good for that, she’s really assertive. You really haven’t heard this before?
I love your list! Thank you! It reminds me of Joanna Russ’ book “How To Suppress Women’s Writing” where she identifies common mechanisms used to underestimate women writers’ work [and artists’], and to undermine them. These mechanisms include ignoring women writers completely. They also include dismissing women’s work because they write about the ‘wrong’ things, condemning them for writing in the wrong genre, blaming them for what others have deleted from their work, or simply joking about them. I’ve often noticed the use of all these mechanisms as I talk with and about, and read about, women scriptwriters and directors. I think that the mechanisms are based on beliefs generated by fear of the unfamiliar or the ‘different’, and depend on fixed ideas about the meanings of gender, ethnicity, age, sexuality, ability, resources, appearance, role or what a script or film is or should be. I return again and again to “How to Suppress Women’s Writing”, because—like your list—it reminds me of specific behaviours that affect women storytellers, and stories about women and girls that reach the screen.
Regarding “Spunky”, I have heard people describe little boys having “spunk”.
There was a TV cartoon from the late 1950s called “Spunky and Tadpole” (both characters are boys; Spunky is human and Tadpole is a talking bear).
In a finale movie of “Ed, Edd n Eddy”, Eddy’s brother said to Edd that he “has spunk”, although it was used in an insulting way (immediately after he said that line he slammed him into the ground in a cartoon fashion)
Did you know a feist is a female mutt? So, a half-breed bitch.
Spunky.
Sassy.
I did not! Will add Spunk, sassy..my 8 year old uses sassy for other girls, she leaned at school???
She’s “bossy”; he’s “a leader”.
She’s “promiscuous”; he’s “studly” or “a ladies’ man”.
On a whim, I decided to google “picard is” “kirk is” “sisko is” and “janeway is” to see what kind of descriptors I got. I’m disappointed, but not surprised, at the obvious sexist and racist slants to the results I got for Janeway and Sisko.
Kirk and Picard:
resourceful
courageous
heroic
genius
daring
charismatic
revolutionary
authoritative
inspiring
a leader
masterful
a superior ___
tough
clever
intimidating
mischievous
powerful
brilliant
a genius
bold
confident
brawny
stodgy
Sisko:
a pimp
complex
short-tempered
wise
young
a badass
incredible
loud
angry
Janeway:
tough
commanding
discerning
warm
accessible
vulnerable
sensitive
aspiring
promiscuous
ugly
sexy
Here are some words I’ve heard in kids’ pop culture in reference to females that drive me crazy. I’m not sure there are male equivalents but would certainly love to hear suggestions. The words are: nag and catfight. Thanks!
Nag, yes! what is the equivalent?
Headstrong (stubborn)
Confident (Can’t tell him a damn thing)
Curious (antisocial)
Organized (anal retentive)
Outspoken (Has to have the last word all the time)
Incidentally, thinking over my experiences man-and-boy, I’m really hard pressed to recall when the word “assertive” was associated with a masculine pronoun except for: “He really needs to become more assertive.” No really, even when it would fit, people don’t use that to describe dudes. “That character John Wayne played, he was really assertive.” Doesn’t happen. It would waste time and syllables describing something everyone would expect anyway.
But how many times have I heard females described this way? Tons! Very often when someone is thinking of putting a girl or woman in a position of authority: She’d be good for that, she’s really assertive. You really haven’t heard this before?
Morgan,
I actually think you’re right about assertive, that could have become another feminized word. It’s kind of like calling a black person articulate.
MM
Hah! Yes, you’re right about that.