#theaawalker

Who Are Today’s "Male Gaze Babes"?

We're living in an era where the pendulum of femininity seems to have swung right back to the early 2010s. We all know it. The era of faux feminism, "girlboss" slogans, Victoria's Secret wings, "I"m not like other girls" main characters, and the idea that empowerment equals being hot for men. Take Sabrina Carpenter"s entire persona: baby-voiced, hypersexual, candy-coated, "I"m just a girl teehee." Take Tate McRae: stripped-down brattiness, breathy vocals, desiring male attention. Take the resurgence of Katy Perry's Woman's World (a song marketed as "feminist" but still produced through the eyes of Dr. Luke, a male producer who's a literal rapist). None of these women are doing anything new. They're the descendants of the 2010s "girl power" movement that was never actually about girl power. It was about women flattering the male imagination while insisting it was liberation. These are the daughters of the male gaze. Raised in it. Performing for it. Catering to it. Calling it empowerment. And choice feminism told them that was enough.

What Is the Male Gaze (and Why Does It Matter)?

The male gaze is not just "men looking." It's an entire worldview where women exist as pleasing visuals, desirable fantasies, pretty props in someone else’s story. Women in media are shot, framed, dressed, marketed, and trained to exist as consumable. The male gaze says: - be hot but innocent - sexy but childish - submissive but seductive - attractive but non-threatening - empowered but only in ways that turn men on When women cater to it, they aren't expressing individuality but conformity. They are performing scripts that were written long before they were born.

Faux Feminism: The 2010s "Girl Power" Lie

Remember the 2010s "girlpower" era? Tumblr pastel feminism. "Girls can do anything!" T-shirts. Pop stars licking lollipops while singing about empowerment. You couldn't watch a film without the term "strong, independent woman" in it. The era promoted a feminism that: - centered sexual appeal - prioritized palatability - erased structural oppression - reframed self-harm as "self-expression" - encouraged women to brand misogyny as "choice" It wasn't feminism. It was marketing. It was the male gaze wearing a pink pussy hat. It was the reason we got a hypersexualized Black Widow (Iron Man 2, Avengers, Avengers: Age of Ultron) and Harley Quinn (Suicide Squad). And choice feminists defended it all relentlessly with, "BUT IT’S A WOMAN’S CHOICE!!!"

Not all choices are good choices. Not all choices are free choices. Not all choices exist outside the history of women being degraded, infantilized, and diminished. Self-affliction is not empowerment. Performing weakness for male approval is not empowerment. Branding wounds as aesthetic is not empowerment.

Infantilization, Bimbocore, and the Rise of "I’m Just a Girl"

Let's talk about the trends: - "I'm just a girl" The trend that turns adult women into toddler-brained creatures who "don’t know anything 🥺👉👈." It’s infantilization disguised as aesthetic. - Bimbocore The trend that markets self-stupification as girl power. Pretending to be dumb to be desirable is not subversive. It's a centuries-old expectation with lipgloss. - Daddy / Zaddy Culture The trend that glamorizes daddy issues, romanticizes incest dynamics, celebrates power imbalances, and sexualizes and objectifies older men.

- Tradwife Culture

The rising trend that promotes traditional western values that were forced upon women. This includes cooking, cleaning, apron and gown wearing, early 1940s-60s makeup and hairdos, not having a paying job, caring for the children (if you have them) all by yourself, speaking in a softer octave, and above all submitting to your husband (because "daddy knows best"). You can wrap it in glitter. You can call it "camp." It's still a harmful dynamic being normalized. These trends didn't fall from the sky. They're the male gaze, revived and digitized, now performed voluntarily by women who don’t see the strings pulling them.

Choice Feminists: Soldiers for the Male Gaze

There’s a reason people call them "choice feminists." Their motto is, "Anything a woman does is feminist because she chose it." This completely ignores: - social conditioning - coercive beauty standards - survival strategies - generational misogyny - cultural pressure to appeal to men - the long history of women being rewarded for obedience and punished for autonomy When you defend every choice under the blanket of empowerment, you erase the reality that some choices harm women collectively. Choice feminism isn’t liberation. It's permission for women to repackage their oppression as individuality.

Nothing Has Changed: Same Song, Different Chorus

We have new faces, new aesthetics, new platforms, but the same old pattern. Sabrina Carpenter is the new Katy Perry. Tate McRae is the new Britney Spears. Addison Rae is the new Lana Del Ray. Ariana Grande is... white again, apparently. These modern celebs appeal mostly to people under 25 because… adults can see the strings.

Because it's not empowerment. It's performance. It's infantilization in HD. It's the male gaze with better lighting. In a time where women’s rights are genuinely under threat, where reproductive rights are dissolving, where safety is decreasing… women are retreating into a familiar, historically "safe" persona: Daddy’s little girl. As Valerie Solanas wrote, "Women have been conditioned to be daddy's little girls." For many, that conditioning feels safer than independence. Independence requires: - courage - intelligence - boundaries - self-respect - emotional and psychological durability - political awareness These are things a 15-second TikTok clip can't teach you.

Example: Wives Voting for Trump in 2025

We saw married women vote against their own autonomy because their husbands told them to. A collective, "O-o-okay daddy, you know best." Then the administration changed. Rights began slipping. And suddenly the panic set in. Now, they do what they were taught. Appease men in power. Run back under "daddy," hoping he'll protect them if they shake their asses in an apron like a 1950s housewife. But guess what? When your rights are taken, "daddy" doesn’t protect you. He benefits from your silence. Just like always.

How Fans Respond (Hint: They Celebrate It)

Just as fans celebrated "Bully Maguire" without understanding he was a warning, fans now celebrate hyper-feminine male-gaze performances without understanding they are regressions. People meme Sabrina Carpenter’s persona. They giggle at "I'm just a baby girl 😳." They call men "daddy" on livestreams. They normalize submission aesthetics as empowerment. It's not harmless. It's cultural conditioning disguised as fandom fun.

What We Can Do Moving Forward

Not everything women like is empowerment. Not everything women choose is feminist. And not every performance is harmless. To move forward, we must: - Stop defending misogynistic behaviors simply because women participate in them - Critically examine trends that rely on infantilization, stupification, or sexualization - Reclaim femininity without catering to male fantasy - Separate true empowerment from performance - Teach girls that their value isn’t tied to being desirable - Hold celebrities accountable for reinforcing regressive narratives - Build a feminist culture that isn’t terrified of saying: "This is harmful." Empowerment means agency, intelligence, autonomy, self-respect. It is not performing childishness for male approval. Women deserve more than the male gaze. And they deserve more than the brittle-boned "feminists" who uphold it. In closing: wake up, bitches. "Daddy" ain't coming to save you, so put your tits back in your shirt and learn to save yourself.

#bringbackradicalfeminism

Who is Sam Raimi's Spider-Man?

Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man trilogy gave us one of the most groundbreaking, relatable character developments in superhero cinema. Tobey Maguire’s Peter Parker isn’t a rich genius or a literal god — he’s an awkward, dorky New Yorker who’s always five minutes late, struggles to pay rent, and stammers around the girl he loves. He’s not cool, not slick, not untouchable. He's earnest, kind-hearted, and painfully human. Peter is just trying his best, even when his best sometimes isn’t enough. At his core, Peter embodies the ideal of “your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man.” He’s a hero because he cares about the small things —about people, about community, about kindness. His powers don’t make him arrogant; they weigh heavily on him. And that's what makes his slow, subtle seduction by the black suit in Spider-Man 3 so devastating to watch. It’s not that Peter suddenly turns evil — it’s that he forgets who he is.

What is Toxic Masculinity?

Toxic masculinity is not the idea that masculinity itself is bad. It’s the specific, destructive brand of masculinity that says "being a man" means being ruthless, violent, dominant, emotionally dead inside. It punishes vulnerability and rewards cruelty. It’s the attitude we see pushed by influencers (hi, Andrew Tate and Myron Gaines) who teach boys that empathy is weakness, that real men “win” at the expense of others, that compassion is for losers. You see toxic masculinity in media where "strong male leads" are emotionally constipated, solve everything with violence, and never admit when they’re wrong. You see it when “strength” is measured by how much you can hurt others, not by how much you can heal. It tells boys and men that the only acceptable emotions are anger and pride — and it leaves everything else to rot in silence. It’s poison pretending to be power.

Peter Parker and the Black Spidey Suit

In Spider-Man 3, Peter Parker doesn’t find the symbiote. The symbiote finds him. It doesn’t demand much at first—just a little connection, a little enhancement. When Peter first wears the black suit, it feels thrilling. It’s sleek, powerful, intimidating. It makes him faster, stronger, sharper. For a moment, it feels like maybe this is who Spider-Man was meant to be all along. But the suit doesn’t just sit quietly. It weaves itself into Peter’s life — into his body, his mind, his instincts. It amplifies everything angry, selfish, and impulsive inside him. Peter doesn’t realize he’s changing until the people around him start backing away. And like many people first dipping into toxic behaviors, Peter initially thinks, “This is fine. This is better.” He mistakes cruelty for confidence. He thinks he’s leveling up — when really, he’s losing himself.

How Men Find Safety in Toxic Masculinity

When Peter’s life starts spiraling — losing his job, struggling in his relationship with MJ, getting publicly humiliated — he doesn’t double down on kindness or honesty. He leans into the black suit. He leans into anger. He starts using his power not to protect but to punish. His attack on Sandman isn’t about justice anymore — it’s about revenge. It’s about hurting someone to make himself feel strong. That’s what toxic masculinity offers: a false sense of safety when everything feels out of control. When Peter feels weak, the suit tells him, "You don’t have to feel weak — you just have to be crueler, meaner, tougher." Toxic masculinity says you can stomp out your pain by stomping on other people. It promises that dominance will erase vulnerability. And like Peter, many believe it... until they realize too late what they’ve become.

How Fans Responded to Toxic Masculinity

One of the weirdest reactions to Spider-Man 3 was how people loved “Bully Maguire.” Peter Parker, swaggering around with greasy hair, pointing finger guns, strutting like a jerk — became an instant meme. People thought it was hilarious. They thought this cocky, rude, arrogant version of Peter was somehow "emo" (clearly, these fans don't know that emo is not just black clothes and a side swoop). And they cheered for it, laughed with it, and celebrated it. In many ways, the fan reaction mirrored Peter’s own initial high from the black suit. Fans weren’t admiring Peter’s real strength — they were admiring his cruelty, mistaking it for coolness. It’s a symptom of a culture that loves toxic behavior when it’s wrapped up in humor or charisma. Instead of seeing this version of Peter as a warning, a lot of people saw him as a meme-worthy upgrade. Just like Peter, they fell for the trap.

Toxic Masculinity is a False Hero

Toxic masculinity makes you feel invincible — right up until the moment it destroys everything you love. Peter’s breaking point comes when he strikes Mary Jane at the jazz club. In a moment of blind rage and humiliation, he crosses a line he can’t uncross. And that's when Peter finally sees: this isn't strength. This isn’t Spider-Man. This isn’t him. Realizing the black suit’s influence, Peter literally tears it off, fighting against the suit's desperate clinging. But the damage is done. His actions ripple outward — hurting MJ, alienating Harry, pushing Eddie Brock to the edge. Peter's story shows that toxic masculinity doesn’t just hurt the person who wears it — it spreads pain outward to everyone around them. And even when you rip it off, you can’t undo all the harm it leaves behind. Or worse... you can negatively influence someone to embody that venomous, toxic behavior. For Andrew Tate, it is teenage boys. For Peter Parker, it was Eddie Brock.

Some Never Escape the Temptation

When Peter finally confronts Eddie — now Venom — he begs him to let go of the symbiote. He offers Eddie a chance at redemption. A chance to be free. Peter knows firsthand how intoxicating that dark power is, how hard it is to walk away. He tries to pull Eddie back from the edge. But Eddie refuses. Stating, "I like being bad. It makes me happy." Toxic men are aware they are toxic, but doing so pleases them. Hushes their insecurities. And when no accountability is forced nor taken, they continue to harm others and ultimately themselves. Eddie would rather burn with his hate than heal. That’s the final tragedy of Spider-Man 3: not everyone chooses to change.

With Great Power, Comes Great Responsibility

Spider-Man’s greatest lesson — with great power comes great responsibility — was never just about fighting bad guys. It was about the responsibility to yourself, to your community, to your own heart. Power without compassion leads only to corruption. Recall how Uncle Ben warned Peter about abusing one's power in Spider-Man 1, a lecture Peter initially rebuffed and later heeded repeatedly. Uncle Ben almost foreshadowed Peter’s run-in with the venom that is toxic masculinity. Peter had to remind him that strength without empathy isn’t heroism — it’s just cruelty with better PR. Spider-Man 3 is not just a throwaway superhero movie. It’s a warning about how easy it is to lose yourself to anger, pride, and the seductive lies of being toxically masculine. And it’s a call to all of us, especially to men: you are strongest when you choose love over dominance. You are most heroic when you reject the suit, even when it would be easier to wear it.

#ChooseTobeyNotTate 🕸

What is the Manic Pixie Dream Trope?

The Manic Pixie Dream Girl trope, coined by film critic Nathan Rabin, refers to a quirky, whimsical character who exists to inspire the brooding male protagonist to embrace life’s joys. Think of characters like Sam in Garden State or Clementine in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. But what about boys? The Manic Pixie Dream Boy flips this script. These characters are equally eccentric and effervescent, shaking the lives of the protagonists with their charm and unbridled passion. Examples include Peter Pan, who literally whisks Wendy away from her mundane life; Augustus Waters (The Fault in Our Stars), whose metaphor-filled antics bring light to Hazel's world; and Theodore Finch (All the Bright Places), who pulls Violet out of her grief. The thing about Manic Pixie Dream Boys? They’re often destined to leave—sometimes by choice, sometimes tragically.

How Neil Perry Fits the Trope

Neil Perry (Dead Poets Society) is the epitome of the Manic Pixie Dream Boy, bringing color and life to everyone around him, particularly Todd Anderson. Neil isn't just a member of the Dead Poets Society; he’s its heart. While Mr. Keating inspires the boys with his philosophy, Neil is the one who revives the group, encouraging everyone to "seize the day" in practice, not just theory.

Neil’s Quirky Personality

Neil’s boundless energy manifests in his playful and creative antics, like grabbing Todd’s poem and dancing around the room with it, or turning Todd’s unwanted desk set into a "flying" object in a bid to cheer him up. His enthusiasm is infectious—where Todd sees an overwhelming world, Neil sees possibility and wonder. Even outside his interactions with Todd, Neil constantly uplifts his friends. He encourages Knox to pursue Chris, supports Charlie’s rebellious streak, and believes in the potential of his peers. Neil’s passion for acting is more than a personal dream; it’s a beacon for the other boys, showing them what it looks like to truly live.

Neil as the Catalyst

Neil rekindles the spirit of the Dead Poets Society, giving the group its purpose. While Keating plants the seed, Neil cultivates it, making the society more than just a secret club—it becomes a sanctuary where the boys can explore art, emotions, and their innermost selves. In this way, Neil isn’t just part of Todd’s story; he’s the catalyst for every boy’s personal transformation.

The Tragic End of Every Manic Pixie Dream Boy

If the hallmark of the Manic Pixie Dream trope is leaving, Neil tragically follows the script. His vibrancy, optimism, and dreams are extinguished not by choice but by the oppressive reality of his father’s expectations. Just as his energy inspires Todd and the others to live authentically, his death forces them to confront life’s stark realities. Neil’s demise parallels the fate of so many Manic Pixie Dream Boys. Peter Pan returns to Neverland, his absence forcing Wendy to grow up. Augustus Waters succumbs to his illness. Theodore Finch’s brightness fades, leaving Violet to carry the lessons he taught her. Neil, too, departs at the peak of his influence, leaving behind a legacy that galvanizes Todd and the other boys to seize their own lives... or die from the inside out.

In Conclusion

Neil Perry isn’t just a character in Dead Poets Society; he’s the embodiment of the Manic Pixie Dream Boy archetype. His quirkiness, passion, and unwavering support for his friends make him unforgettable. But like all Manic Pixie Dream Boys, Neil’s story ends too soon, leaving those he touched to carry his lessons forward. Neil may have left, but his spirit lives on in the Dead Poets, in Todd’s newfound confidence, and in every audience member who watches him seize the day.

Started planning 2025…

my annual resolutions:

Pick up new and beneficial hobbies (financing, side-hustling, etc.)

Build and grow yourself (physically & spiritually)

Work and overcome your baggage

Journal + take more photos

Make 10k before year's end

Read 12 books

my daily resolutions:

Eat a salad/fruit a day

Stretch every morning & night

Drink 2 liters and a cup of milk day

Stop ingesting negative media

Pray 5 times a day and/or meditate

Stretch ever hour

my winter resolutions

Walk 2 miles every Saturday

Start psych clinic internship

Buy a BB gun

Get TOVA testing

Win the Outstanding Creative Student Award

my spring resolutions

Start literature club

Wash car || fill tire || get a tune-up

Network with fellow PSYCH majors

Lift weighs every other day

Go to at least 10 seminars

my summer resolutions

Upgrade wardrobe

Get new DL

Read up on finance and marketing

Lift weights every other day (eat soup on rest days)

my autumn resolutions

Go to at least 10 events

Go to the dentist (in September)

Watch dark academia films/tv

[ Kiss a woman ]

˖ ࣪⊹ Have a splendid 2025 everyone! ⊹ ࣪ ˖

credit inspo: @princessmacabre

next year: 2026

previous year: 2024

Started planning 2024…

my annual resolutions:

Stop wasting your time; invest it in yourself

Build and grow yourself (physically & spiritually)

Work and overcome your baggage

Journal + take more photos

Make 10k before year's end

Read 12 books

my daily resolutions:

Eat a salad/fruit a day

Stretch every morning & night

Drink 2 liters a day

Stop ingesting negative media

my winter resolutions

Walk 2 miles every Saturday

Apply to psych clinic internship

Begin new job(s)

Create posting weekly schedule

my spring resolutions

Join a club (socialize + make friends)

Start writing 2nd volume

Buy volume 1 CR

my summer resolutions

Upgrade wardrobe

Get passport card & DL

Lift weights every other day

my autumn resolutions

Explore (hot) coffee options

Go to the dentist (negotiate price when you pay out of pocket)

[ Kiss a woman ]

˖ ࣪⊹ Have a splendid 2024 everyone! ⊹ ࣪ ˖

Next year: 2025

credit inspo: @princessmacabre

Thank you for all the likes, reposts, follows, and love. I'm at 15 followers right now... with a 2-week old account. We did it, besties! Let's see if we can get to 50 before the year is over. Also...

I've been really busy this past week. I got LOoOoOoOts of stuff on the way. I'm talking imagines, book edits, and writing tips (cause my inbox is filling up). Get excited!!! >0<

PS: Should I give my followers a name? "Followers" sounds culty... do you all wants a name? Like the Barbz or smth? Lemme know, via comment or dm! Love ya!

STAY SWEET! <3