A Discussion of Ariel Levy's, "Female Chauvinist Pigs" (Chapters 3 and 4)

One of Levy’s underlying themes in both her chapters focused on gender identity and women within raunch culture denying the traditional stereotypes of being a “girly-girl” by adopting a “masculine persona”. I was fascinated by this phenomenon because I have always been taught that women need to celebrate their femininity and that masculinity has been equated with power for far to long. What Levy describes in these chapters is women embracing a hyper-masculine identity and becoming empowered through participating in what has socially been conceived as men’s activities, such as stripping, porn, and enjoying looking at the idealized female body.

In Levy’s third chapter, she defines the title of her book, “female chauvinist pigs” (FCPs) through interviews and observation of women who discarded the “girly-girl” role and as Levy explains, are “creating a new sort of loophole of women who are ‘not like other women’, who are instead ‘like a man’” (96). These FCPs have distain for any women that are overly focused on their feminine appearance and yet, they believe that these women represent “sexiness”. Similar to men, FCPs must enjoy looking at these overtly sexualized women and beneath their cool exterior claim to posses this vibrant sexualized energy that drives raunch culture. In earlier chapters, the materialized definition of “sexy” was a skinny, large-breasted, woman, who was not afraid to take-off her clothes and show her body to the world. It is this narrow definition of “sexy” that has victimized both men and women within raunch culture. In my opinion FCPs struggle with gender socialization, expressing the belief that a man exudes power in society, especially in the sexualized arena. It is not trendy to identify with “feminine qualities” anymore; it is the masculine identity in which these women entertain sexual power. Levy believes that as long as people view womanhood as something to escape from, womanhood will be subordinate to that of manhood. It is difficult for me to identify with FCPs because I have always celebrated my difference from men, celebrated my femininity. I do not wish to let go of these differences and assimilate with this hyper-masculine identity in which I objectify and exploit women’s bodies… my body.

In Levy’s fourth chapter, she continues her gender discussion on a group of lesbian women that are called “bois”. Bois are described as women that take on the physical appearance and mentality of boys. The argument is that boys in society experience the most sexual freedom without consequences, even more so then men, who have family and career responsibilities. The idea that young men are noncommittal and enjoy many sexual partners is extremely appealing for these women. While butch women identify with the stereotypical masculine physical appearance, bois go beyond this, by also adopting the mentality of being a man. It is manhood that represents sexual liberation for these women. Again, I return to the concern with associating masculinity with power and sexual fulfillment in life. If this becomes the standard for a sexually liberated woman, all the fundamental aspects of women’s sexuality become obsolete, perpetuating a system of male sexual dominance. While, I enjoyed reading about these women who are beginning to play with gender roles and perhaps start blurring the binary of being either female of male, the fact that masculinity becomes the desired identity can have harsh consequences on the greater population of women.

I have very mixed feelings about this book so far. The idea that I can experience power through being more “manly” is upsetting to me because I am not a man… there are fundamental differences in being a women that I refuse to deny. I do not have a place within this new age, raunch culture, and yet, I do not see myself as a girly-girl or a woman not in tune with my sexuality and sexual desires. Where do I fit?