Gilmore Girls was used as an example of the ‘boring’ trope (Picture: Hallmark)
TV fans are now calling out some of the biggest shows for inflicting female characters with a frustrating trope.
It’s been pointed out that some of our favourite fictional women have their lives thrown into disarray after choosing to have sex.
The discussion began after a viral tweet by the account StardustNova asked people to share the common types of episode plotlines that have them switching off.
People’s responses ranged from the main characters not having the wedding day they planned to sudden superstardom, but one answer caused the most traction, with over 2.6 million views and 77k likes.
The social media post by Lauren pointed out the worrying narrative that needs to be binned.
‘Making it weird when a female character has sex,’ she began. To back up her point, Lauren used the example of Gilmore Girls. Although the series first aired in 2003, fans regularly enjoy rewatching the episodes, especially during the autumn season.
Lane was pregnant with twins after first sexual experience, which she didn’t enjoy (Picture: CW Network/Everett/REX/Shutterstock)
Lauren continued: ‘Gilmore Girls did this constantly (ex: Lane getting pregnant immediately & hating sex after one time, Paris not getting into Harvard, Rory & Dean’s situation) and it’s SO annoying. women’s lives should not fall apart bc they had sex.’
The show follows mum Lorelai Gilmore and daughter Rory, who live in a small town called Stars Hollow, is often hailed as a cosy watch, but clearly some people have issues with a few of the narratives.
During an early season, Rory’s classmate Paris Geller doesn’t get into Harvard University and believes it is a result of losing her virginity. When Lorelai Gilmore overhears Paris talking about having sex, she says ‘I’ve got the good kid’ indicating that having intercourse can make you bad.
When Rory receives acceptance letters from Harvard, Princeton, and Yale, Lorelai joked: ‘You must be the biggest virgin in the world.’
Lane Kim, the best friend of Rory, has sex one time, gets pregnant and pretty much gives up her dreams of being a rockstar. While Rory herself has sex for the first time with a married man, Dean Forester, and then gets sent away to Europe for a whole summer.
‘Having sex does not make you bad at all I hate that they feel the need to villainise it for girls but praise it for men. Boring sloppy yawning lazy,’ Lauren added.
Paris felt punished for having sex (Picture: Gilmore Girls)
The sexually active woman being punished has long been used as a plot-driver in horror/thriller films, such as Halloween and Jaws. But from the many responses to the original tweet, it seems that people have also noticed that some of their favourite nostalgic series also use it. Although, the punishments are more varied and less obvious.
‘Secret Life of the American Teenager season 2 when Grace’s dad died in a plane crash and she’s so distraught thinking she “caused” it by having premarital sex. Even …read more
Source:: Metro
