Gossip Girls, a show that most young teenage American girls have watched or heard of. If someone were to ask a teenage girl about the show they would most definitely say that they have at least heard of it. And even though the show has ended, many people are able to go to Netflix and just start watching all 6 seasons of it. The show began in 2007 and ended in 2012; however the names Serena Van Der Woodsen, Blair Waldorf, and Chuck Bass still have so much meaning to so many people. The show Gossip Girl draws out the lives of the upper east siders of New York City, their dilemmas and all of their individual actions, promoting sexist stereotypes and unrealistic high school ideals.
The show revolves around the ever changing unhealthy friendship between Serena and Blair who have a complicated relationship to say the least. They always seem to be competing against each other whether it is for college admissions, popularity, or a membership into a secret society; and when they aren’t competing against each other, they are going after someone together. This constant competition is found in many other television shows or movies. The idea idea that it is always women against women, seeing the other as a challenge is something that when it is displayed enough influences young teenage girls to see each other as competition as well. At the start of season two, both Blair and Serena are competing for the title of “Queen of the school," despite their public status of friends, but when Dan (Serena’s ex) sparks interest in a new girl, Blair and Serena focus their energy on humiliating the new girl. They use their 'minions' to pour a glass of some mixture on her hair which causes it to fall out in front of the grade while the are all at a bar. And while gossip girl is a fictional work, it only further normalizes the idea that a even if they are friends women must always be competing against each other.
I completely agree, Gabby! The ideology that women should aim to defeat other women is sexist and incredibly outdated. I personally have never watched Gossip Girl, but due to its immense success and fanbase, I have a general understanding of the story line. I believe that the fact that the show has such a large following is quite alarming. The young girls that are watching this influential show could potentially adopt some damaging ideas about what female friendships are supposed to be like from Blair and Serena's example. Great post.
ReplyDeletethe paragraph is really blocky and you never seem to fully finish a thought. you do have a good argument and other than some gramtical errors and the blocky paragraphs your argument is good.
ReplyDeletethe paragraph is really blocky and you never seem to fully finish a thought. you do have a good argument and other than some grammatical errors and the blocky paragraphs your argument is good.
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