A bit of a wrap-up to tie the loose ends as much as we can in this insanely robust topic.

Stick around for Season 4 after the new year, and have the best holiday season you’re able! We’ll be around on the interwebs here on Substack, as well as on Instagram.

We hear about the “toxic masculine” all the time, and directly attribute the Alpha Bro poison to patriarchal society, but we don’t often talk about the toxic feminine unless we’re just flat out making fun of women…which continues to engrain the problem.

In the world of cinema, few films resonate as profoundly as Mean Girls, a comedic exploration of the complexities of high school life and the sneaky dynamics of underdeveloped female relationships. In this blog post, we dissect the feminist themes embedded within the movie, particularly focusing on archetypes of toxic femininity that are ever-present in our society today. Join us as we delve into these characters and their implications on women’s roles and behaviors.

Toxic femininity, much like its male counterpart, can manifest in various ways, often leading women to adopt behaviors that undermine their authenticity and self-worth. In our discussion, we highlight how this concept is underrepresented compared to toxic masculinity, yet it plays a significant role in shaping women’s experiences and interactions.

In our episode, we discussed how some women choose to play along with the patriarchal structures in place, believing they cannot (or should not) change the system. This resignation can manifest in various ways, from over-accommodating behavior to avoiding conflict. The characters discussed here serve as an example of the internal and external conflicts women face when trying to navigate such dynamics.

Join us in the chat or on Instagram to keep talking about this topic. We’d love your insights!

Header image via Letterboxd

This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Summary

In this episode, we explore the themes of patriarchy and feminism, discussing the need for egalitarianism in society. We discuss practical ways to decenter male perspectives in relationships in order to create space for equality.

Come join us on Instagram: @blackandwhiteandgold

Feminism is so broad, sometimes we caricature the whole movement and then steer clear. This episode is intended to continue our conversation the last two weeks about what feminism is and how it presents and impacts the world.

Today, we dive into understanding how different types of feminism, as well as different manifestations of oppression affect people in ways that can’t easily be addressed from one angle.

Did you learn something? Let’s chat about it!

Join us on Instagram: Black and White and Gold

Or join the chat:

This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

This conversation delves into the multifaceted nature of feminism, exploring its various waves and types, including liberal, radical, socialist, and cultural feminism. The hosts discuss the historical context, key figures, and the importance of intersectionality in understanding women's rights and gender equality. They emphasize that feminism is not a singular movement but a complex interplay of ideas and experiences that seek to address the oppression of women in different societal contexts.

Join us in conversation on Substack, or on Instagram at https://instagram.com/blackandwhiteandgold

I grew up knowing that there was little to nothing I could do that would be worse than being a “Feminist.”

But once I learned more about what that word meant, and how much I was benefitting in my life from all my feminist foremothers, it was obviously a place I needed to be.

The more I learn about history, the more I understand the way that opposing forces are what shapes society, and an individual's environment in that society plays a major role in how they understand the forces outside their immediate vicinity.

Some people will look at all of this (gestures to the whole world) and say, “Gee…looks like patriarchy is everywhere, that must mean God meant it to be that way.”

But friends, we’re a little smarter than that by now, yes? Let’s look closer at some other options, today, particularly talking about matriarchies.

What are they? Where are they? When are they? Get the point? Let’s discuss and see how and when the “opposite” of patriarchy exists and existed in the world and see what we can find.

Find us on Instagram: @blackandwhiteandgold

This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Though what we call “Purity Culture” has tentacles in many generations, it seems to have a significantly deep effect on younger the Gen-X and Millennial generations. Purity Rings and pledges, Daddy-Daughter balls, girls being taught by church leaders that they were “walking pornography,” and thousands of other examples of teachings ingrained into the minds of children and youth have an effect…and if you’re taking mental health into consideration, the fruits are not great.

In this episode we talk with The Christian Sex Educator, Carlie Palmer-Webb, who spends her time educating fellow Christians on sex…something most Christians have shockingly limited knowledge around. Listen in…she’s pretty wise.

Carlie’s website: https://thechristiansexeducator.com/

Carlie’s instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thechristiansexeducator

This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.