Sexy Fluff vs. Degrading, Unfunny Debasement of Women
You know when you hit a point where you say something like, "Oh that younger generation ..." then you have officially become "old." I decided I've hit that point only after once more torturing myself watching that horrible show Girls about four young women in New York and their social lives. This show is a major hit. And I frankly don't get it. Every single time I watch, I am completely aghast (never turned on) at their frank, soft-core porn approach to twentysomething girls and their dating lives.
The show is supposed to be funny, and I suppose it's making someone out there laugh, but I am more gob-smacked by it more than anything else. I worry about this, because my book California Girl Chronicles is geared partially toward this audience, but at the same time is highly relatable for women my age who in their younger days may have made Brea's mistakes. While California Girl Chronicles is sexy and I hope funny (reviewers have agreed it's funny), it doesn't go down a decidedly unsexy and just plain mean-spirited road that Girls takes. Between this week's episode of Girls where Hannah tries to extort, sue and seduce her boss to the sad reconciliation scene where her other friend finally seduces her boyfriend only to declare she wants to break up in the middle of sex, it just not resonating with me.
The only reason I keep watching is because I want to understand why it's such a hit. And here is possibly the worst moment of the show, Hannah watches her unlikeable, rogue boyfriend masturbate where he orgasms to her taking a $100 out of his dresser, as to what I am assuming is her payoff for participation. Again, what messages are we sending to young women? Low self-esteem, desperation and sadness constitute love in the modern age? I don't know, but if this is what that audience wants to see I think I might have a problem with California Girl. My heroine, while flawed and errant at times, doesn't seduce men for money; she at least respects herself enough not to completely debase herself with guys who don't respect her; and she doesn't accept sexual harassment as a form of employment (see second book when it comes out). California Girl is as one reader said to me is "pure fluff" -- and you know what I think fluff is a heck of a lot more fun than debasement and degradation.
If you would like a copy of California Girl Chronicles or book two, which is only available on my website for the time being, go to www.3LPublishing.com and look under Books.
The show is supposed to be funny, and I suppose it's making someone out there laugh, but I am more gob-smacked by it more than anything else. I worry about this, because my book California Girl Chronicles is geared partially toward this audience, but at the same time is highly relatable for women my age who in their younger days may have made Brea's mistakes. While California Girl Chronicles is sexy and I hope funny (reviewers have agreed it's funny), it doesn't go down a decidedly unsexy and just plain mean-spirited road that Girls takes. Between this week's episode of Girls where Hannah tries to extort, sue and seduce her boss to the sad reconciliation scene where her other friend finally seduces her boyfriend only to declare she wants to break up in the middle of sex, it just not resonating with me.
The only reason I keep watching is because I want to understand why it's such a hit. And here is possibly the worst moment of the show, Hannah watches her unlikeable, rogue boyfriend masturbate where he orgasms to her taking a $100 out of his dresser, as to what I am assuming is her payoff for participation. Again, what messages are we sending to young women? Low self-esteem, desperation and sadness constitute love in the modern age? I don't know, but if this is what that audience wants to see I think I might have a problem with California Girl. My heroine, while flawed and errant at times, doesn't seduce men for money; she at least respects herself enough not to completely debase herself with guys who don't respect her; and she doesn't accept sexual harassment as a form of employment (see second book when it comes out). California Girl is as one reader said to me is "pure fluff" -- and you know what I think fluff is a heck of a lot more fun than debasement and degradation.
If you would like a copy of California Girl Chronicles or book two, which is only available on my website for the time being, go to www.3LPublishing.com and look under Books.
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