The Repressive Hypothesis for Women

            The 1990 romantic film, Pretty Woman, is the typical “prince and pauper” sort of story, where a hooker and rich businessman fall in love. However, I think the movie very much displays the gender roles and stereotypes the world is accustomed to. It displays how women are constantly held to a higher standard than men within society. For example, Vivian is looked down upon and judged for her lifestyle as a hooker, while Edward, an arrogant and sometimes controlling man, is never judged for the choices he makes. The movie suggests that women are expected to “act” a certain way, particularly in regards to sexual relationships, as opposed to men. The label Vivian wears as a “hooker” completely determines how she is looked at and treated by everyone throughout the film. No mind is paid to her personality or thoughts, only her title. People automatically view her as “lower” than themselves.

The Repressive Hypothesis states that since the 18^th century “calling sex by its name thereafter became more difficult and more costly.” It is the belief that talk of sexual activity has been frowned upon by society since the 18^th century. In his article, Foucault argues that this is not entirely true and goes on to mention specific instances in which the talk of sex has been embraced by society, such as instances within the Christian religion.

            I think Pretty Woman displays that the Repressive Hypothesis holds true in regards to women specifically, as opposed to men. Sexual activity displayed by women is and has been frowned upon by society throughout history. Even today, women associated with sexual activity are ridiculed constantly. Women who get pregnant out of wedlock are judged, whereas the man involved isn’t typically given a second thought. People talk badly about women wearing provocative clothing in public, whereas no one ever mentions anything about how men dress. In Pretty Woman, Vivian is judged left and right for her lifestyle choices. After finding out that Vivian is a hooker, Phillip immediately degrades her, assuming she will automatically sleep with him. Edward, as well, looks down upon Vivian, at first denying his love for her purely because of her lifestyle. He loves her, yet he cannot get past her title. Vivian is judged throughout the entire film for her choice of “career” and no attention is given to her reasoning for becoming a hooker in the first place. No one cares that she most likely would have starved otherwise or that she once felt she had no choice. The pure fact that she is a woman who chooses to sell her body drives people away from her.

However, if she were a man would this be the same case? If Edward chose to sell his body instead of Vivian, would he be looked at in the same light? I highly doubt it.

            Throughout the film, Edward is never judged or frowned upon for his choices. When he tells Phillip he is spending time with Vivian because she is a hooker, Phillip basically congratulates him and laughs at Vivian with him. He later scorns Vivian but does not think any less of Edward at all. If anything, it seems as if he thinks of Edward’s association with her as a conquest.

While Foucault believes the Repressive Hypothesis does not hold completely true, I think it does specifically in the case of women. I think that sexual talk about anything not involving reproduction is still frowned upon in regards to women and that women are not held to the same standards as men. While it is looked down upon for women to sleep around, it is praised in men. While strippers at a strip club are ridiculed, no one really cares about the men who choose to sit and watch. I agree with Foucault that throughout history discussion of sexual activity has become less taboo. People no longer cringe in reference to it and are not afraid to discuss sex within classrooms, churches, etc. However, I still think conversation about sex is taboo in regards to women. Women’s choices in regards to sex are still judged harshly the moment they are mentioned, whereas no one gives much thought to men’s choices.

I believe this all comes down to stereotypical gender roles that are still prevalent in today’s society. Women are still thought of as below men and viewed as more of a household figure, whose main role should be “raising the children.” It is this thought process that causes it to be so natural for society to look down upon women in regards to sexual activity, just as they do with everything else. Women are still oppressed in 2017 and stereotypical gender roles still exist. I think the only way to stop this is to continue to acknowledge this inequality and know that while progress has been made, there is still work to be done. People must continue to talk and continue to fight for gender equality because, until it is achieved, the Repressive Hypothesis will still reign true for women, and women will continue to be frowned upon simply because their dress may be a little too short.