Breaking stereotypes against women in movies

Women in misogynistic movies have always been damsels in distress, waiting to be saved by a wealthy man so they could get back up from their miserable life.

But in these chick-flick movies, the female leads will make you want to get ready in conquering the world!

You must curl that hair, wear those sparkly heels, and carry that bag with things you need to break stereotypes!

Legally Blonde (2001)

In this movie, Elle Woods (Reese Witherspoon) went to Harvard University to be a law student after her ex-boyfriend insulted her.

Her journey was not easy; people discredited her abilities for looking too girly and not powerful enough with her pink outfits.

Elle broke these stereotypes by not changing the way she wanted to present herself.

She still wear pink while being top of the class and successful in defending her client in the court.

This tell us that women are powerful already, and how a woman looks does not limit her capabilities.

She’s the Man (2006)

Viola Johnson (Amanda Bynes) plays soccer; however her school abolishes their girls’ team.

She asks the coach to play on the boy’s team, but what she gets is sexist remarks that girls cannot beat boys.

Her perseverance lead her in pretending to be her brother to join in another school’s soccer team.

The film addresses sexism, and breaking stereotypes against women in sports usually suffer.

Viola’s character conveys that masculinity and femininity are just based on physical appearance.

She proves that women are just as strong and capable as men in sports.

It shows that, you cannot make gender a basis for someone’s strength and ability.

Like a Boss (2020)

Mel and Mia (Rose Byrne and Tiffany Haddish) pave the way to be successful businesswomen.

They focus on their career and strategies to ensure their business will prosper.

They have been competing with two men with a make-up company that says that women wear make-up to impress guys.

In contradiction to what Mia and Mel believe in, they make and sell make-up to help their women customers enhance their natural beauty.

Speaking of girl power, they fight together to save their company and their friendship.

Aside from the girl boss lessons, this movie gave a take on purpose of wearing make-up, that women wear it not for men, not for anyone else but themselves.

Miss Congeniality (2000)

FBI agent Gracie Hart (Sandra Bullock) goes undercover as a contestant in the Miss United States pageant just when a terrorist threatens to bomb the event.

For Gracie, pageant contestant are too feminine, and they are all about beauty with no intelligence.

As she interacts with her fellow contestants, she learns their reasons for joining pageants.

Later on, she realizes that they are intelligent women trying to make a difference.

It also teaches the viewers that when someone speaks up about her assault, we should listen, believe her and stop victim-blaming.

Amid gowns and crowns, this movie shows the strength of women in doing their jobs, living with purpose, and supporting each other in a world where they pit women against each other.

Women in Movies

Different women’s representation in movies is important to always check while watching.

We have grown up with misogynistic beliefs supported by films looking down on the capabilities of women to take part in society.

We must continue challenging gender stereotypes through this kind of art in motion, so children will grow up believing that all people are capable regardless of gender.