Girls on Film (and Video): Where To Find Female Characters Who Go Beyond The Obvious
As a UK politician recently pointed out, the media situation for our girls leaves something to be desired. The pickings are slim, and the girls who are featured often reinforce exactly the same values—ones we’d rather not highlight. There are some exceptions: Dora the Explorer is everyone’s go-to, and Ni-Hao Kai Lan takes the same model and translates it to Mandarin. There’s Strawberry Shortcake with her hottie 3D makeover. And the new Samurai Jacked-up My Little Pony has some good stuff going for it. But I find it hard to get past the problem of sugar-and-spice associations.
I’d like my daughter—and my son—to see strong female characters who don’t seem all cut from the same cloth. If you’re looking for something a little different, you may not be able to get it on your current television channels. But we are lucky to live in an age of almost unlimited media access, with most of the whole history of movies and TV a google or a download away. Take advantage of this and broaden your family’s horizons with these 10 finds, featuring a wide range of female characters who don’t fit the mainstream mold.
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Charlie and Lola
In this UK export, little sister Lola's imagination drives the narrative while big brother Charlie plays the straight man. Bonus: great design and a remarkably pleasant soundtrack.
If you have some picks of your own, please share!
One mom wonders: Does princess culture harm girls?
Hermione Granger.
Yes- I just read a great piece on JK Rowling’s female characters! I’ll look for the link.
not the one I saw originally but this has some interesting insights:
http://msmagazine.com/blog/blog/2011/07/17/harry-potters-unsung-feminist-heroes/
The thing about Hermione (and Luna too, and Ginny) is that, in addition to being smart and capable, not one of them ever cowers and begs one of the boys to rescue them. You’re just as likely to see any of these girls grab a boy by the hand and lead them to safety as the other way around, and you’ll never see any of them desperately begging “What do we do now?!”
We love the Miyazaki films, too. And we’re looking forward to the new Pixar movie that actually features a female lead.
I do see a heart for television in the future that can just as easily accommodate for both sexes. I would especially recommend for everyone to watch the new My Little Pony, no matter who you are or what you might be.
Woooo, ponies!
I think the fact that MLP: Friendship is Magic has been so well received among college aged GUYS underscores the fact that it isn’t all “sugar and spice”.
Powerpuff Girls deserves a mention here too. Same writers, even.
I won’t click through to see all of the movies, but I can say we love My Neighbor Totoro.
All I can add is to reinforce two things you mentioned as being particularly quality for adults to watch with their kids: Miyazaki films and the MLP reboot. I’d be interested to get more detailed thoughts from the author about MLP, because it shows a really nice diversity of strong-but-imperfect characters. Having watched the whole season, I’m not sure what the sugar-and-spice issue with the show is.
Pippi Longstocking, Michel Ocelot’s movies have good characters of both genders, (Kirikou, azur and azmal), from the mixed up files of Mrs. basil e frankenweiler, candleshoe, whale rider, original wonderwoman, (some of these are for older kids), little miss sunshine,
I LOVE Hayao Miyazaki! Kiki’s Delivery Service, My Neighbor Totoro, Ponyo, Howl’s Moving Castle (also a GREAT BOOK!), Spirited Away are GREAT kids movies (and I particularly enjoy them even now!). Although Princess Mononoke is kinda violent and might not be good for younger kids. PomPoko is about tanuki (raccoon-dogs the Japanese believe to be magical) who are trying to save their forest. Good story (ya know save the planet and all that jazz) but Tanuki have abnormally large testicles and are said to get their magic powers from them. They’re described as “pouches” in the translated version of the movie, but well….they’re racoons running around with giant testicles….Might not be sooo kid-friendly….
ANY of the female characters from Avatar: the last airbender….. The entire saga is something I am very much looking forward to sharing with my daughter Indigo. I recommend it for every parent that wants to raise a well rounded kiddo =)
My personal favorite was Anne of Green Gables. An Adopted child Ann overcame all obstacles and went on to become a teacher. (I was adopted).
Also my kids love (Ages 7 and 14) Gilligans Island. My 7 year old daughter identifies with Mary-Ann character saying Ginger is tooo Sleazy!
When I was young we watched I Love Lucy. Mary Tyler Moore!
For dolls we have barbies but I don’t believe they are ideal. We also have strawberry shortcake and a few dolls that I got from avon that are more collectors type.
I also look for really good role models in the community. My friend Susanna, although born with Cebral Palsy and is in a wheelchair went to university and has an Arts degree and worked at the Ontario Art Gallery for more than 10 years. She is married and still does volunteer work and loves to have the kids ride on the back of her motorized chair. She is teaching my daughter spanish.
There is a doll Called American girl and a Canadian counterpart that are good role models and there is another one called hearts 4 hearts I believe. Money from everyone sold goes to the country the doll represents. If you look there are good role models for girls.