Spring Break
The Daily Orange'Sex and the City' entertaining, not a factual portrayal of NYC life
By Krystie Yandoli
Posted: 10/19/09, 10:52 PM EST Section: Opinion
I would describe my relationship with Carrie Bradshaw similar to how many of her ex-boyfriends would: complicated.
Growing up as a young woman today is already filled with enough pressures, and by simply tuning in to a popular television series, I created more issues for myself.
I was too young to watch "Sex and the City" when it first aired on HBO in 1998, but I followed the cult of young women in my age group who rented the DVDs, and soon enough, I too fell in love. I became infatuated with New York City, the friendships of the four main characters, and with the debate it caused among my girlfriends and I.
The major motion picture was such a hit that a sequel is being released in May 2010. This is bittersweet because, while the pure entertainment is always enjoyable, it is confusing for young females to see these stereotypes and perceptions on the big screen.
As the writer of my clique, my qualms with Sarah Jessica Parker's character weighed in more than others since I had a realistic vision of a writer's checkbook. Most working writers could not afford to make purchases like a pair of dazzling Jimmy Choos, high-end lingerie, or designer purses, let alone all at once. I also did not enjoy the fact that my friends, and young women, everywhere considered Carrie a writing icon, and the stereotypes being derived from a "fashionista" existence this would "carry" along. My definition of hard journalism wouldn't exactly be the monthly issue of Vogue (I'm more of a Newsweek kind of girl).
This idea that Carrie is a columnist living on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, purchasing Manolo Blahniks in bulk like she's shopping for cereal at Costco is simply unrealistic. Yet, it taints the minds of viewers everywhere (who happen to be my own friends, family members and future employers). I definitely give props to Carrie for having the ability to balance her "writing talent" with her knowledge of fashion. However, she does not portray a pragmatic image of a female journalist. It's not only intimidating that my friends assume that because I want to be a journalist someday, I will be writing about my sex life and wearing $500 shoes on my feet, but it is equally nerve-wracking that newspaper, magazine and book editors hold these expectations as well.
Growing up as a young woman today is already filled with enough pressures, and by simply tuning in to a popular television series, I created more issues for myself.
I was too young to watch "Sex and the City" when it first aired on HBO in 1998, but I followed the cult of young women in my age group who rented the DVDs, and soon enough, I too fell in love. I became infatuated with New York City, the friendships of the four main characters, and with the debate it caused among my girlfriends and I.
The major motion picture was such a hit that a sequel is being released in May 2010. This is bittersweet because, while the pure entertainment is always enjoyable, it is confusing for young females to see these stereotypes and perceptions on the big screen.
As the writer of my clique, my qualms with Sarah Jessica Parker's character weighed in more than others since I had a realistic vision of a writer's checkbook. Most working writers could not afford to make purchases like a pair of dazzling Jimmy Choos, high-end lingerie, or designer purses, let alone all at once. I also did not enjoy the fact that my friends, and young women, everywhere considered Carrie a writing icon, and the stereotypes being derived from a "fashionista" existence this would "carry" along. My definition of hard journalism wouldn't exactly be the monthly issue of Vogue (I'm more of a Newsweek kind of girl).
This idea that Carrie is a columnist living on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, purchasing Manolo Blahniks in bulk like she's shopping for cereal at Costco is simply unrealistic. Yet, it taints the minds of viewers everywhere (who happen to be my own friends, family members and future employers). I definitely give props to Carrie for having the ability to balance her "writing talent" with her knowledge of fashion. However, she does not portray a pragmatic image of a female journalist. It's not only intimidating that my friends assume that because I want to be a journalist someday, I will be writing about my sex life and wearing $500 shoes on my feet, but it is equally nerve-wracking that newspaper, magazine and book editors hold these expectations as well.
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