Being Geek Chic is a blog about one woman navigating the male-dominated industries of production and tech. It's written by Elizabeth Giorgi, Founder, CEO and Director of Mighteor - one of the world's first internet video production companies. Learn more about Mighteor here.
Who are you supposed to be?
I’m Captain America.
I beg your pardon?
It’s a great line out of a classic movie, but I often find myself wondering the same thing when I’m trying to figure out exactly what is supposed to be represented in superhero cosplay for young girls. I’m always thrilled to see that younger female viewers have taken an interest (and been encouraged to do so!) in something that’s not solely princess-themed, or pink, or some stereotyped combination of the two, but when it comes to portrayal and merchandise availability for girl’s products, the inclusivity sort of ends at blankets and Trapper Keepers.
If you find yourself searching stores for superhero-themed swag for your daughter rather than busting the old sewing machine to make your own, you might be stuck with something a bit more feminized than you bargained for.
Not that there’s anything specifically wrong with that if your daughter is looking to save the world while indulging her pre-established womanly side, but the lack of neutral options certainly encourages taking matters into your own hands to create something more fitting. Offering male character-based products for girls at all is a huge step in the right direction, but I think it’s safe to ask what kind of message is being sent to young girls who are exposed to images with such a strong distinction.
Does it require bulge-inducing tights to kick-ass in the world today? I doubt it, but it certainly doesn’t require a skirt, either. Since when do young boys want strong muscles and pants more than young girls do?
I seem to remember a little me, begging her mom for karate classes so that I could be the next Karate Kid (Miyagi era, not Han), so I’m wondering when it was decided that superheroes needed to be feminized to become more accessible to the young girl audience. No doubt there are consumer tests that prove that certain kids prefer the “girlified” products, but it’s not an all-inclusive metric, and it’s a perpetuation of a deeply historic norm that leaves out a number of girls who prefer it the original way.
Children are impressionable; it seems like at some point we either forgot, or stopped caring that their minds are thirsty little sponges, waiting to soak up any and all images and ideas they are exposed to in a day. And while there are a number of steps a parent can take in theory to protect their kids from the demon formally known as negative body image, it’s hard to keep them from hearing a gendered message when it’s so obviously laid out in front of them in the grossly oversized muscles reserved for boys, and the glitters and frills implied for girls.
There’s untapped value waiting to be found in the grey area that lies between the two polar norms of boy versus girl; a neutral haven that questions the constant push for gender distinction at a young age, keeping us deeply rooted in a divided society that hinders a true personal identity.
So I say, “you go girl!” to the pioneers out there donning the male identities despite the label; be the superhero you want to be! I’m going to go dust off that yellow belt in the back of my closet and remember what I wanted to fight for.
Photo Credit: Costume Express
Post by Lydia Mondy is a feminist killjoy from the Northwest who enjoys writing about the experiences of women in nerd culture. Reddit users beware.You can follow her on Twitter @lydiamondy.
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