Anyone harping on a boy crisis has to explain how a 72 page national news magazine can justify an issue with just two articles on women: one about a “bootilicious” Serena Williams (do we have to sexualize every major female athlete?), the other a generic article about “fashion brides” and “matrimonial bliss”. Apparently there’s only room for two archetypes: the sexy girl and the pure innocent bride. Of course the woman modeling the wedding dress is white. Maybe we can address the subtle racism here while we’re at it. This anemic representation of women is set against a sea of feature articles on men---Al Gore’s decision to run, Michael Moore’s new movie, an interview with Don Cheadle, commentary on Giuliani and Romney, an arts feature on actor Seth Rogen, an article on gay life in Texas (nary a lesbian in sight), etc., etc., etc. Female faces show up in ads and there are photos of women spotlighted here and there—Al Gore’s wife and daughters in supporting roles and a very brief comment about Jennifer Lopez “under fire for fur”, but none merit serious or sustained attention. In our world there are women politicians, actors, comedians, authors, athletes, office workers, explorers, visionaries. You’d never know it from reading Time.
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