Why Do Female Characters Get More Admiration Than Male Characters

DwayneA · Jan 14, 2010

For example, you have a woman fighting back against a mugger, confronting a killer, or in other dangerous situations. Yet if you put a man in the exact same situation, he doesn't get as much respect or admiration than the woman.

Why is it that female characters get better respect and admiration than male characters?

mscelina · Jan 14, 2010

They don't. It has nothing to do with gender. Whenever someone prevents themselves from becoming a victim, whether they're male or female, that person is admired because they had the guts to fight back.

A good piece of life advice, that. Don't let yourself become a victim and admiration will follow.

CaroGirl · Jan 14, 2010

I don't know if this is true. But if it were, I'd venture to guess that it's because women are genetically physically weaker than men. Fighting back against a larger male attacker is less of a fair fight than when it involves two men.

katiemac · Jan 14, 2010

This isn't true.

A lot of it has to do with how the individual character is portrayed. If a woman is portrayed as weaker or less dominant than a mugger, then readers may admire her for standing up for herself. The same idea works for a man--any character who is not as strong or defensive as their opponent may earn admiration for his or her actions.

But if a woman--or a man--is a more equal match to a killer or mugger, for whatever reason, then the character's actions of standing up for him or herself may not be that surprising.

kuwisdelu · Jan 14, 2010

Societal conditioning that females are more passive and vulnerable.

Write a well-rounded character and write for a reader who will think on his or her own, and don't worry about this. Ultimately, like character like for people, it only depends on the individual.

brainstorm77 · Jan 14, 2010

That's just your opinion Dwayne.

CEtchison · Jan 14, 2010

IMO it works the other way as well.

If a man is left to struggle and raise a child on his own (i.e. Pursuit of Happyness) he will be greatly admired. It's not to say a single mom doing the same thing won't be admired, it just won't garner as much attention.

I think it all relates to what society considers to be the traditional roles for each gender.

KTC · Jan 14, 2010

They SO don't. You're wrong.

Stew21 · Jan 14, 2010

Looks like a pretty big leap of opinion there, stating it as fact. Simply can't be supported as "true" because you see it that way.

Not sure what more can be said about this, so I'm going to lock it.

Why Do Female Characters Get More Admiration Than Male Characters

DwayneA

mscelina

Teh doommobile, drivin' rite by you

CaroGirl

Living the dream

katiemac

Five by Five

kuwisdelu

Revolutionize the World

brainstorm77

practical experience, FTW

CEtchison

KTC

Stand in the Place Where You Live

Stew21