For the Unbiased

[bacchuswino]

So I'm looking for suggestions on the proper treatment of a hyper-sexualized female character from a feminists perspective in storytelling.

I don't mean someone that is over-sexed per se, simply someone whose appearance and (in some ways) demeanor tends to inspire a particularly intercourse oriented perspective from the men and women around her.

Comments

[demosthanes]

Well, even in contemporary feminist theory, female sexualization is problematic. There remains a large protion of feminist theory that is opposed to strong female sexuality, particularly in public and what not. Some is a retread of 2nd wave theory, particularly radical 2nd wave. Other stuff is a legitimate critique of 3rd wave theory that embraces sexuality, correctly pointing out that embracing sexuality hasn't led to real changes in society or culture

[little_ribbit]

From the perspective of a very sexual young woman, I would want any "hyper-sexualized female" character to 1) have a hell of a lot more depth than just her sexuality and others' reactions to it, and 2) have her sexuality be empowering to her on a personal level. That said, I don't see a lot of positive hyper-sexual female characters in the literature I read.

Also, I would rather she not fall into any "brainless bimbo" stereotypes, though consciously making her the antithesis of that stereotype would be just as annoying to someone like me as her being brainless would. Overall, she has to feel like she is someone one might meet in real life, if you traveled in her circles. Her sexuality can't be allowed to break my suspension of disbelief.

[z0mb1]

i would simply say: screw what other people think, and write the character the way *you* think it's supposed to be written. the fact of the matter is that - no matter how sensitive an approach you take when you write a character of this nature - if a lot of people are exposed to the writing, some over-sensitive nitwit is going to get bent out of shape about some aspect of the character, regardless

[bacchuswino]

I agree with you to a point

[z0mb1]

"However I'm writing a piece in a genre that typically portrays women as nothing more than victims or predators, but always as pathways to danger with severely negative perspectives on a healthy sex drive."

so, are you writing christian ficton? or noir? it's scary how those two genres can be two sides of the same coin at times. that's why i combine them, and write about hard-drinking, woman-beating clergymen.

[bacchuswino]

Now THAT sounds like a story I'd like to read.