How movies teach manhood | Colin Stokes

Summary

In this insightful talk, the speaker reflects on the impact of children's movies, particularly those with a strong fantasy element, on the development of gender roles and societal expectations. He highlights the scarcity of female characters in heroic, wise, or villainous roles in modern films, contrasting them with the diverse and strong female characters in 'The Wizard of Oz.' The speaker critiques the prevalent narrative where male heroes are often portrayed as saviors who use violence to defeat enemies and win rewards, including women who are often passive and isolated. He advocates for a redefinition of masculinity, encouraging fathers to expose their sons to movies that pass the Bechdel Test and feature heroines who embody courage, leadership, and the ability to unite people. The speaker calls for a shift in storytelling that promotes a more collaborative and empathetic view of heroism, where both boys and girls can find role models who inspire them to be better and help others.

Takeaways

• 🎬 The speaker enjoys sharing his favorite movies with his children, highlighting the impact of 'The Wizard of Oz' on his daughter's imagination.
• 👸 The daughter's favorite character from 'The Wizard of Oz' was Glinda, which influenced her play and dress-up choices.
• 🤔 The speaker reflects on the uniqueness of 'The Wizard of Oz' compared to modern children's movies, noting the lack of violence and the prominence of female characters.
• 👊 The speaker criticizes modern movies for often focusing on male heroes who use violence to defeat villains and receive a female 'reward'.
• 🧍‍♂️ The speaker's son's accidental viewing of 'Star Wars' leads to questions about what messages he might internalize about gender roles and heroism.
• 🤔 The speaker questions the lack of diverse role models for boys in media, where stories often revolve around male violence and dominance.
• 👩‍🦰 The speaker appreciates 'The Wizard of Oz' for its portrayal of Dorothy as a leader who wins through friendship and courage, rather than violence.
• 👉 The speaker advocates for seeking out movies that pass the Bechdel Test, which evaluates the presence and complexity of female characters in a film.
• 📉 The speaker presents statistics on the underrepresentation of female protagonists in popular movies and the broader societal implications of gender stereotypes.
• 👦 The speaker calls on parents, particularly fathers, to use their choices in media consumption to teach their sons a new definition of manhood that respects and trusts women.
• 🌟 The speaker suggests that both his son and daughter can learn valuable lessons from characters like Obi-Wan Kenobi and Glinda, who are knowledgeable leaders that guide others.

Q & A

What is the speaker's favorite part about being a dad?

The speaker's favorite part about being a dad is sharing his favorite movies with his children.

Which character from 'The Wizard of Oz' did the speaker's daughter like the most?

The speaker's daughter's favorite character was Glinda.

How does the speaker describe the children's entertainment industry today?

The speaker describes it as a 'children's-fantasy-spectacular-industrial complex' where 'The Wizard of Oz' stood alone and did not start the trend.

What is one significant difference between 'The Wizard of Oz' and modern movies?

One significant difference is that 'The Wizard of Oz' has very little violence compared to modern movies.

How does the speaker feel about the portrayal of female characters in 'The Wizard of Oz'?

The speaker appreciates that 'The Wizard of Oz' features female characters who are heroic, wise, and even villainous.

What does the speaker think about the role of Princess Leia in 'Star Wars'?

The speaker feels that Princess Leia is cool but mostly waits around to award the hero, which doesn't provide adequate context for navigating a co-ed adult world.

How does the speaker describe the way 'Star Wars' might influence boys?

The speaker suggests that boys might absorb themes of courage, perseverance, and loyalty, but also the notion that the hero's journey involves defeating a villain and receiving a woman as a reward.

What is the Bechdel Test and what does it assess?

The Bechdel Test is a measure of the representation of women in fiction. It assesses whether a work features at least two named female characters who talk to each other about something other than a man.

What does the speaker suggest as a solution to the lack of diverse male role models in media?

The speaker suggests that parents, especially fathers, should seek out and encourage their sons to identify with movies and characters that pass the Bechdel Test and showcase heroines who demonstrate real courage and leadership.

What is the Bechdel Test's significance according to the speaker?

The Bechdel Test's significance is to highlight the lack of representation and complexity of female characters in movies, which can influence societal perceptions and gender roles.

How does the speaker feel about the impact of boy-violent movies on girls?

The speaker acknowledges that there is a lot of great writing about the negative impact of boy-violent movies on girls and encourages people to read about it.

What is the speaker's view on the importance of the Netflix queue in shaping perceptions of manhood?

The speaker believes that the Netflix queue can be a tool to show a new definition of manhood to boys, by selecting movies that pass the Bechdel Test and feature strong, leading female characters.