Maddie Zeller

Junior Theme
AP English
Heidkamp
Since the beginning of the 1950s when television began to become a staple in
almost every household, blogger Carol D. Hicks states that Television has had an
incredible impact on society and basically revolutionized the way people see
themselves and the world around them.(Carol D. Hicks) Television has changed quite
drastically since the 1950s, especially for women. The messages that were given off for
women in earlier television shows are very different from those seen about women
today. Historically, women on television shows such as I love Lucy, were shown within
the home, playing the role of the domestic mother. In modern television shows, women
play more complex roles that represent independent women working outside of the
home. The messages within television shows has changed since the 1950s by showing
women lead more complex lives. Drama television series of the early 2000s have had a
large impact on women and girls, especially in terms of body image, sexuality, and the
attitudes towards careers in the public sphere.
The abundance of thin women on television creates an expectation for all women
to be thin, even though most women do not meet this stereotypical body image. The
television series of the 2000s also represent women who freely express their sexuality,
but receive criticism for their expression. This sexual expression of women on television

began to break the stereotype of women being sexually inactive. Although women
expressing their sexual desires had positive impacts, it also had negative impacts as the
women who expressed their sexuality were criticized in the means of slut shaming.
Despite the stereotypical portrayals of women through television series of the 2000s,
women were empowered by the representations of women in the workforce in shows
like Sex and the City and Ugly Betty. The image of women in the workplace helped
break the stereotype of domestic women within the home. These new representations
of women in the 2000s had a great impact on society and how women are viewed.
Women who were seen on television in the 2000s all had a similar look,
showcasing their slender figures, flawless faces and beautiful clothing. Women on
television who were seen struggling with their appearance gave off negative messages
to their female viewers by suggesting that ones appearance is never quite good
enough. This message also suggests the importance of appearance in a females life.
On television shows such as Sex and the City, which showcases four thin women,
characters such as Charlotte York are seen battling with with self-confidence regarding
body-image. In the episode Models and Mortals, as the girls gather for a casual night
in, Charlotte talks about her self-confidence issues with the statement I hate my
thighs. (Charlotte York, Models and Mortals, Sex and the City) After Charlotte makes
this statement, the conversation amongst the girls immediately shifts to a discussion on
the areas of their body that they arent proud of, making Charlottes statement seem like

the norm among young women.

Because of the number of thin women on television, thin women have
become the ideal body-type. Since all women are built differently and meant to have
unique body types, the idea of all women being thin and all looking like the women on
television is an unrealistic ideal that women deal with at an increasing rate. Television
sets up the expectation of being thin at a young age, as shown on television shows like
Gossip Girl. Gossip Girl highlights the lives of thin, young, beautiful high school girls.
Since this ideal body-type is enforced at a young age, many girls grow up with
body-image issues. These issues have lead to an increasing number of teenagers who
attempt diets, as over 53% of girls have said that they are dissatisfied with their
bodies. (Teen).
Prior to television produced in the 2000s, women and their sexuality
were not talked about in the public sphere. In fact, women were not supposed to have
sex until they met the man that they planned to settle down with. The television shows
that were produced in the 2000s broke the stereotype of women not being sexual
beings. Shows like Sex and the City and Gossip Girl began talking about women having
sex casually, with men that they had no intentions with. Because of this view of women
having casual sex, HBOs hit television series, Sex and the City stated that the female
protagonists were having sex like men, (Carrie Bradshaw, Sex and the City) meaning
frequently and without feelings. This new idea of women freely expressing their
sexuality was quite controversial to the public, as this broke any former stereotype of

women being innocent. Although the new idea of women expressing their sexuality
empowered women by giving them control over their bodies, the new idea of sexual
expression brought some negative views about women.
The negativity that came with womens expression of their sexuality was that
women began to be more sexualized and seen as objects, particularly in the eyes of
men. In addition to women being sexually exploited because of their sexual desires,
women also began to be slut shamed for their sexual desires. In the episode Are we
Sluts? of Sex and the City, Carrie ponders, If youre a thirty something woman living in
Manhattan, and you refuse to settle and youre sexually active, its inevitable that youll
rack up a certain number of partners. But how many men is too many men? Are we
simply romantically challenged, or, are we sluts? (Carrie Bradshaw, Sex and the City)
Even though shows like Gossip Girl and Sex and the City show females
expressing their sexual desires, it is also within these shows where slut shaming is
present, where men and women shame the women who are sexually active. This leaves
a negative impact on female viewers by discouraging them from free sexual expression
because of the negative effects it could have. This also negatively impacts male viewers
by encouraging them to slut shame any woman for having their sexual needs met, and
discouraging the idea of casual sex amongst women. Despite the negativity that was
enforced through the television dramas of the 2000s, there were aspects of television
that brought a positive light to women by empowering them.
Beginning in the 1970s, television began showing women in the workforce. This

idea was new to the public, as prior this, women were only expected to do
domestic work within the home. Women being established as working women
began to break the stereotype of women being unable to work and be successful at
something other than housework. This new representation of women in the workforce
began to expand the expectations of women. Women in the workforce began to be the
expectation of women. Women working also empowered women by showing that
women can be independent, and earn a living for themselves without the help of
someone else. Shows like Ugly Betty showed a young woman named Betty, working in
conditions that were not ideal, as she was not treated with respect in the workplace.
Despite the mistreatment she received at work, she continued her job and proved her
capabilities by the great ideas she brought to the table, ultimately earning the respect of
her boss, who was originally unimpressed by Betty because of her less than desirable
appearance.
In the television series, Sex and the City, all four female protagonists are working
women who have managed to make a very nice living for themselves without the
assistance of another person. The representation of working women on television is
empowering to all of its female viewers. It encourages women to reach beyond the role
of the stay-at-home mother or housewife, and strive for something that teaches
hear-earned skills and earns money. Sex and the City also shows a successful, working
mother who for some time, raises her son on her own. The representation of women in
the workforce who have families proves that women can have a family and a career,

and be wildly successful at both.

The drama television series of the 2000s have had a great impact on women
because of the messages that they present about various situations that women deal
with. Although these television series have had negative impacts on women because of
their tough messages on body image, and their negative outlook on women and
sexuality, they also have positive and empowering messages and portrayals of women
in the workforce who exude independence as they earn a living for themselves. The
drama television series of the 2000s have been important for women in that they
help empower women.