Who Put the Damsel in Distress? Men did!

We need to create a safer world for women instead of reinforcing age old patriarchal gender stereotypes

Photo by Enric Moreu on Unsplash

I recently came across a Facebook parody reel made to illustrate “liberal feminist hypocrisy” or something along those lines. Some of you might have come across similar reels on social media made for the explicit purpose of depicting women in a ‘less than’ or vulnerable position. There’s dozens of them circulating on the web these days, isn’t it? All dramatic short clips which give you a hearty laugh, but very subtly harm feminist movements by reinforcing patriarchal gender roles in society.

In this particular reel, a couple is shown dining at a restaurant outside. When it comes time to pay the bill, the man is seen admonishing the waiter for presenting the bill to him by default, thereby perpetuating stereotypical gender roles like ‘man the provider’ by doing so. He then goes on to lecture the waiter about how his girlfriend’s a “strong independent woman” capable of paying bills all by herself, and doesn’t need a man to chip in or provide for her. She feigns a nervous laugh as she can clearly see the game he’s playing using the cover of feminism as an excuse to get her to foot the bill for both their meals.

Although she knows fully well whats going on deep inside, outwardly, she exudes confidence in his approach thanking…