Comments on: Target Women: Charm School http://www.feministe.us/blog/archives/2009/08/22/target-women-charm-school/ In defense of the sanctimonious women's studies set. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 11:34:52 +0000 hourly 1 By: Thom http://www.feministe.us/blog/archives/2009/08/22/target-women-charm-school/#comment-270179 Thom Mon, 24 Aug 2009 15:01:17 +0000 http://www.feministe.us/blog/?p=15522#comment-270179 ThickRedGlasses- Certainly, the basic idea of Charm Scool and Tool Academy (a similar show for men on VH1) of taking self destructive egotists and getting themselves to see a bigger world outside themselves and a less destructive way to approach their problems isn't a bad idea. However, where these "Self Improvement" programs fail? (And do so epically?) They are competitions. This does not really encourage genuine soul searching and plays up to the base instincts of people. Winning is the goal, not growing into a stronger, better person. Sure, I think some of the women who participate actually gained something, but I suspect many who were sent away from the show were not given true preperation to avoiding falling into the same traps. ThickRedGlasses- Certainly, the basic idea of Charm Scool and Tool Academy (a similar show for men on VH1) of taking self destructive egotists and getting themselves to see a bigger world outside themselves and a less destructive way to approach their problems isn’t a bad idea. However, where these “Self Improvement” programs fail? (And do so epically?) They are competitions. This does not really encourage genuine soul searching and plays up to the base instincts of people. Winning is the goal, not growing into a stronger, better person. Sure, I think some of the women who participate actually gained something, but I suspect many who were sent away from the show were not given true preperation to avoiding falling into the same traps.

]]> By: ThickRedGlasses http://www.feministe.us/blog/archives/2009/08/22/target-women-charm-school/#comment-270029 ThickRedGlasses Sun, 23 Aug 2009 22:30:14 +0000 http://www.feministe.us/blog/?p=15522#comment-270029 I watched this past season of Charm School and was surprised by how good it was. I don't think Sarah Haskins gives the show a fair critique, nor does she give the contestants any props for wanting to make positive changes in their lives. Many of those women talk about the abuse they've suffered as children, which I think takes a lot of bravery. I think the shows that the contestants came from are much worse and exploitive than Charm School. VH1 should get rid of those shows and let people nominate themselves for Charm School. I watched this past season of Charm School and was surprised by how good it was. I don’t think Sarah Haskins gives the show a fair critique, nor does she give the contestants any props for wanting to make positive changes in their lives. Many of those women talk about the abuse they’ve suffered as children, which I think takes a lot of bravery. I think the shows that the contestants came from are much worse and exploitive than Charm School. VH1 should get rid of those shows and let people nominate themselves for Charm School.

]]> By: Amanda H http://www.feministe.us/blog/archives/2009/08/22/target-women-charm-school/#comment-269893 Amanda H Sun, 23 Aug 2009 04:27:33 +0000 http://www.feministe.us/blog/?p=15522#comment-269893 Oh Ricki Lake... I was so impressed when I saw the Business of Being born...what happened? Well... I guess $$$ happened. :( Oh Ricki Lake…

I was so impressed when I saw the Business of Being born…what happened?

Well…

I guess $$$ happened.

:(

]]> By: Manju http://www.feministe.us/blog/archives/2009/08/22/target-women-charm-school/#comment-269871 Manju Sun, 23 Aug 2009 00:32:55 +0000 http://www.feministe.us/blog/?p=15522#comment-269871 good stuff. i prefer the real housewives series though. the crass social climbing, the materialism, the general vulgarity that is the American classless society. this is what makes America so great. good stuff. i prefer the real housewives series though. the crass social climbing, the materialism, the general vulgarity that is the American classless society. this is what makes America so great.

]]>