The "Strong Woman" Isn't Particularly Empowering

Finally the mainstream media has conceded that it is too male centric, with little positive female representation. As a solution, we have seen the rise of the Strong Woman trope - supposedly the ultimate solution to the problem of invisible female role models. The Strong Woman is Arya Stark, Lara Croft, Cersei Lannister and Wonder Woman. She doesn't care for traditional female gender roles like sewing and softly giggling at the sidelines, she is tough, belligerent, sexually empowered, and hot.

The Strong Woman is basically a man with double Ds and flawless makeup, not to mention inevitably white, cis-het and perfectly able bodied.

This portrayal of women is just as restrictive and disempowering as the Damsel in Distress trope; it does not portray women as complex humans with layers of diverse gender expression and interests. Instead, it further glorifies the strength and power we associate exclusively with masculinity by allowing women to be presented as... Well, masculine. Her characterisation almost always includes a warlike attitude and affinity for violence, which are historically hallowed as indicators of a strong masculine presence. Even though we now have women taking on the physical roles of sword wielding and city destroying, it still encourages young girls to adopt a negative view of "girliness" - the girl who acts like a boy is more worthy of respect because masculinity is an inherently more desirable trait than femininity.

The sexual aspect is also quite convoluted. There is a consistent attitude towards media portrayals of female sexual emancipation, where its representation must include high levels of flirtation and promiscuity, with a certain disregard for a long sexual history. Once again, we see only a superficial adoption of historically "masculine" traits by women who undoubtedly still exist for the male gaze. Harley Quinn's teeny shorts and Margaery Tyrell's incredible cleavage were created specifically to draw in and please a male audience, which undermines the already flimsy level of sexual liberation these characters actually had.

What constitutes a good female character is authentic complexity. Women cannot be categorised into pink frilly damsels and black leather badasses - when they are, young girls internalise this characterisation and come to devalue their own complex selves. We need to see a realistic mix of sensitivity, physical and emotional strength, self awareness and the ability to act as holistic individuals; and having as much sex as the character pleases without the writer's ulterior motive of objectifying her spandex-covered body. Men are beloved protagonists as soldiers and fighters, dorks and geeks, sensitive sweethearts and promiscuous teens, and it's time women were able to demand the same.