On Wed, 11 Dec 1996, Umberto Rossi wrote:
> "And while I'm at it, let's make it a general question for the XY
> chromosome types (or at least the straight ones) on the list: Do you
> find strong, independent female characters sexy?"
>
> Ok, let's answer. If I am wrong, trash this.
> In fiction, maybe not sexy but interesting. And sometime
> fascinating.
> In real life (if there is such a thing), interesting for a rather
> *short* time. Then we start quarrelling.
Ok, my first reaction on reading this was to grab you by the neck with
both hands and sputter words like "patriarchy" and "hegemonic oppressor"
while strangling you. My second reaction was "stupid macho Italian",
and to ignore you and your whole beknighted (sp?) country. Finally, I sat
down with myself and said, ok J, be honest, you like the damsel-
in-distress type too, don't you? Sigh. Yes.
BUT, I like the damsel-in-distress in order to save her (or drag her down
to her destruction, depending on your philosophical standpoint), not fall
in love with her. Inevitably, I get bored with someone who has no
initiative, and who I have to be constantly propping up and protecting
(What about MY needs? as they say)--plus, these damsel types show a
shocking lack of oppinion over anything. Ever try to make plans with
someone who just keeps saying "Whatever you want"? AAAARGH!
If we're defining "strong" women as the kind intent on kicking in your
teeth, hey, I don't like getting beat up. If we mean it in terms of
working out 6 hours a day at the gym, well, muscles are nice, but you
really don't need to bench-press three times your weight. In fact, that
amount of muscle is pretty gross on anyone, male or female. However, if
by "strong" we mean going after what you want, not backing down under
pressure, standing up for yourself, having your own oppinions, and
generally, being your own person, I think that's incredibly sexy--in
fiction and real life. In fact, it's an absolute requirement for a good
relationship--or a spicy affair [evil grin].
Without those qualities, how can you really respect someone, and
if you don't respect them, how could you enjoy spending time with them?
How could you fall in love with them? If you want somebody who's never
going to disagree with you, go talk to the mirror. All those breathless
bimbos in sf would get pretty boring once you took your eyes off their
cleavage and starting listening to the whine coming out of their mouths.
I mean, who would you rather sleep with, Karen Allen from _Indiana Jones_,
or whats'erface from _The Temple of Doom_? Cinderella or La Femme Nikita?
Jennifer Dante
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