The Danger of Simplistic Feminism in Modern Media

While the representation of strong women in modern media is more prevalent than ever, the approach to feminist storytelling often risks being oversimplified, reducing complex feminist themes into shallow portrayals. The danger lies in creating female characters who are strong merely because they are “empowered” or fit a certain mold, rather than because they have earned their strength through personal growth and challenges.

Simplistic feminism in media can create characters who seem one-dimensional—practically perfect women who face little to no internal conflict or struggle. They may excel at everything they do, but their victories feel unearned, and their character lacks the richness that makes them relatable. For example, some modern “strong female” characters are simply written as overpowered, flawless women who are always right and never face real consequences, which can feel disconnected from the real-life struggles women face.

True feminist storytelling allows women to be flawed, to fail, and to struggle with complex emotions or challenges. Characters like Fleabag or Jessica Jones embody feminism not by being perfect or superhuman, but by being deeply human—complex, vulnerable, and real. Simplistic portrayals of feminism risk flattening the richness of female experiences, when true empowerment comes from complexity, depth, and the ability to learn and grow through adversity.