While television is constantly changing and constantly being adapted to the feminist gaze, programing can only go so far until inherent ideals of feminism turns into ideals of consumption. Yes, television is changing with the times (women in Western cultures are becoming better educated, maintaining lasting careers, and delaying maternity), however, a show with feminist overtones may have increasingly stronger opposing undertones. The best demonstration of this is found with in the shows Sex and the City and Girls.
Both shows are about living an idealistic lifestyle as a white, upper-middle class cis-gendered woman. In Sex and the City, the four main characters all start out as confident, single, working professionals, but the viewer leans that each character is inherently weak. To be successful you also must uphold this image that is attained only by living in New York City, being successful, and being a consumer. We should work hard so that we can purchase our Manolo Blahniks and our Birkin bags. You work hard so that you can afford all these consumer items that every woman wants and the most dignified and professional woman already owns.
Girls is a very interesting show. It is written, directed by, and stars a woman, which in itself is a very positive step in the right feminist direction. However, the values are incredibly dated. Once again, there is no diversity; the show stars four educated white woman from upper-middle class backgrounds. Although they all have received a college education and live one of the most progressive cities in the world, their lives are consumed with the idea of finding the perfect man and living an unrealistic life adventure.
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