Natasha Walter’s book Living Dolls-the return of sexism, talks about the return of sexism to society and the use of gender stereotyping to enforce and often explain this sexism. The book is divided into two sections; The New Sexism and The New Determinism.
I found the first section to be a wholly compelling read, one that I could not put down and which had me nodding my head in agreement on every page. Walter’s sentiments during this first half of the book very often echo the opinions of fellow writer and Feminist, Levy, author of Female Chauvinist Pigs. Both agree that the current ‘raunch culture’ which appears to be engulfing all aspects of popular culture, from pop music to advertising, is casting women as little more than sexual objects. Young boys are growing up with little or no respect for women-viewing them merely as flesh to be admired for their own pleasure and judging women on their appearances and figures rather than their intellect and personalities. Walter’s notes that this hyper sexualising of women in society is often dismissed as a free choice or passed over as empowering and part of women’s liberation. Walter’s question’s this and urges us to consider whether or not this so called empowering behaviour might actually be degrading. We are also encouraged to ask how free these ‘free choices’ actually are, especially when the people making these choice are often ill-informed about the consequences of their decisions.
It was in the second section of the book the argument became less convincing. Where the first half of the book was thought-provoking, the second was weak with the writing often becoming repetitive with what some might consider to be a too-strong focus on stereotypes. Whilst I wholeheartedly agree that men and women should not be caged into gender specific boxes, at times I felt that Walter’s was overly dismissive of those whose interests naturally fell within the confines of gender stereotyping and did not consider that their could be any freedom of choice in this but that it must have been pressed onto people from childhood. Personally, my hobbies include sewing, knitting and baking-tasks traditionally considered feminine. These hobbies were never imposed on me by anyone but were things that I found a passion for in my early twenties. I felt that at times Walter implied that by enjoying these things I am less entitled to call myself a feminist or that I was buying into what society expected of me. This is completely in contrast to my personal experience. I have found that in general other people (men and women) have found it strange that I am interested in these things rather than expecting me to be because I am female. I am therefore inclined to disagree with not all, but many of the points made in this section of the book.
The book concludes by both marking and celebrating changes currently being made in society to close the gender gap. This section was the perfect ending to a thought provoking book which left me feeling good about all that women have achieved so far and optimistic for the future,. I hope that our generation and the next will not sit back complacently and take for granted all that feminists have achieved, but strive ever onwards in the quest for equality, not just here in the UK but also in developing countries where the women are not as fortunate as us.
Living Dolls certainly gave me food for thought and it is definitely worth a read for anyone on either side of the equality/stereotype debate.
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