I don't mean to say that it's only in the genres mentioned -- just that it's easiest to outline the lack of logic when you contrast the physical-base of most superhero comics vs the chi/ki/chakra-base of supernatural/fantasy manga. When we start getting into action/fantasy (published) works, it can easily be murked up by arguing (as several replies tried in my previous post) that we should measure different characters by different standards -- even if this means measuring female characters by a separate (but supposedly equal) standard than male characters.
It's just easier to compare apples to apples, and I haven't been up for extensive in-depth analysis like what would be required to argue my way around the various argument-to-details or strawmen that would get dredged up in any analysis of more complex works like action/fantasy.
The cultural sexism that says women are no good in fights, are naturally weaker, more likely to be nurturing, can't handle power, not important enough for the main role, etc. is fairly wide-spread.
This is true, but it's not going to stop until we have the tools to delineate exactly where/when it's happening, so that authors can see exactly where they're falling down by relying on sexist tropes. Otherwise, they'll continue to rationalize and argue exception-to-the-rule, just as much as many fans do via apologia.
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Date: 28 Sep 2010 10:10 pm (UTC)It's just easier to compare apples to apples, and I haven't been up for extensive in-depth analysis like what would be required to argue my way around the various argument-to-details or strawmen that would get dredged up in any analysis of more complex works like action/fantasy.
The cultural sexism that says women are no good in fights, are naturally weaker, more likely to be nurturing, can't handle power, not important enough for the main role, etc. is fairly wide-spread.
This is true, but it's not going to stop until we have the tools to delineate exactly where/when it's happening, so that authors can see exactly where they're falling down by relying on sexist tropes. Otherwise, they'll continue to rationalize and argue exception-to-the-rule, just as much as many fans do via apologia.