Gender balance/strong women

[Schlobin at aol.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 14985

> 
> As I see it, Susan, Amy & Joy are all largely basing their 
arguments on
> the numbers.  BTW, I agree with Amy's belief that perceptions can be
> skewed (the notion that people perceive the numbers to be skewed to
> females if it's actually equal).

I agree with Amy that people "see" two strong female characters and 
that equals ten. We are so used to (this is a generalization of 
course) women blending into the woodwork, being quiet, or not taking 
up space, that when women are as vocal as men, they are perceived as 
loud. A man and a woman can speak in the same tone and be direct in 
their comments. The man will elicit no particular reaction; people 
will notice (and usually not positively) the woman. Argumentative 
women will be characterized as a (word rhymes with snitch); 
argumentative men will be seen as engaging in fun debate. 

But actually the numbers aren't bad..this is not a question 
of "gender balance"...a euphemism. "Numbers" are a problem only
when there are ten fascinating complex male characters to two 
fascinating complex female characters (and I think there's really 
only one fascinating complex character).
And the women are not seen as particularly whole...they embody one 
set of stereotypical female virtues (they are EITHER mother OR wise 
woman OR young sexually attractive). Where are the sexy older women?
I haven't noticed any of the men (who are interested in women) 
drooling over the adult women. (the way women who are interested in 
men are interested in Lupin, Black, Sirius). I don't think that's the 
problem of people on the list -- I think it's an issue with the books.

Susan