The study of insects and how they interact with their surroundings is the focus of entomology, a subfield of biology. It is an important area of research that offers insights into disease management, conservation, and pest control. Although entomology has traditionally been a male-dominated subject, female scientists have made major contributions over time. The way that female entomologists are portrayed in American movies can affect how society views women in science and their capacity to thrive in professions that males have historically dominated. While some depictions have challenged the image of female scientists and been positive, others have reaffirmed unfavorable stereotypes. Women scientists must be portrayed correctly and credibly in the media as society continues to work towards achieving greater gender equality in STEM disciplines.
The 1954 sci-fi film They! is considered a classic and is notable for starring Dr. Patricia “Pat” Medford, an entomologist. Including a female scientist in the movie was groundbreaking for the time. Nevertheless, the character of Dr. Medford is portrayed in a way that fuels numerous unfavorable Hollywood prejudices about women in science (Berenbaum, 2015). Dr. Medford is described as a capable and knowledgeable scientist who assists her father in investigating unexplained deaths in the deserts of New Mexico.
However, her interaction with the male characters in the film largely defines her image. She is first described as a potential love interest for FBI agent Robert Graham, and much of her screen time is devoted to their flirtatious conversations. Despite her courage and resourcefulness, Dr. Medford’s place in the film ultimately defines her interactions with men (Berenbaum, 2015). This is one of the many unfavorable images of the female scientist that stigmatizes this group of workers from society. The female character’s interactions should build on her strengths as a scientist rather than an ordinary woman, which will help take a small step towards gender equality.
Additionally, Dr. Medford’s portrayal in the movie contributes to the prejudice that women scientists are overly sentimental and prone to hysteria. When the extent of the threat posed by the enormous ants is initially disclosed, she appears upset in one scene, forcing Graham to console her. Later, when the team finds the queen ant and is about to kill her, Dr. Medford begs them not to, insisting that the queen is only acting to defend her young. In the end, the queen is executed despite her tearful plea. This kind of consecration of a female scientist hurts social opinion concerning this working group (Diaz, 2023). There is a stereotype in society that a woman in a “male” profession will not be able to prove herself as a professional, hindering gender equality.
The 1970s saw a huge change in how women, especially female scientists, were portrayed in American films. Female characters in 1970s films were often described as aggressive, independent, and able to hold their own in areas dominated by men, in contrast to the submissive and subservient heroines of earlier films. Entomologist Dr. N. E. McIndoo, the protagonist of the 1972 film Hellstrom Chronicle, serves to illustrate this change. Unlike the female scientists of past cinema, Dr. McIndoo is portrayed as a capable and confident professional respected by her male colleagues. She departs from the standard Hollywood cliché of using female characters only as objects of desire for male characters, seducing a male colleague in one scene to get information for her research (Kumar et al., 2022). These characters have a less damaging effect on public perceptions of female scientists. They show them from the side of strong and capable workers, making life easier for real women scientists and making the idea of gender equality real.
Dr. Jennifer Allen, a geneticist who is developing an experimental serum to counteract the symptoms of aging, appears in the science fiction horror movie “Mansquito” from 2005. Although the titular creature is the main subject of the movie, Dr. Allen’s portrayal offers an intriguing case study in how women scientists are portrayed in American movies. On the one hand, Dr. Allen is shown as an exceptionally capable, wise, and committed scientist. In order to create the serum, she is seen carrying out tests, evaluating data, and collaborating with her coworkers (Berenbaum, 2015). She is also presented as a confident individual who isn’t scared to speak out for herself and her beliefs.
On the other hand, there are several problems with how Dr. Allen is portrayed. Firstly, in the film, she is repeatedly seen in skimpy outfits or in love relationships with male characters, which serves to objectify and sexualize her. This supports the false assumptions that female scientists are ugly or promiscuous in their sexual behavior (Gross, 2022). Finally, although Dr. Allen is shown as a capable and knowledgeable scientist, she is ultimately overshadowed by the film’s emphasis on the ‘Manscito’ view. This indicates that, while the film may have wanted to draw attention to a female scientist, it ultimately places more importance on fear than science. Also, another sexualization of the character leads to an emphasis on the heroine’s gender rather than her capabilities, which will make it more difficult to create gender equality.
How women are portrayed in films about science can influence societal attitudes to women’s place in STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). Negative portrayals of women scientists can reinforce stereotypes about the capabilities and roles of women in science (McKinnon & O’Connell, 2020). These prejudices can disadvantage women who already have careers in science and discourage young women from pursuing STEM careers.
The underrepresentation of women in STEM professions has been an issue for a long time, and it remains so today. In addition to combating social prejudice and preconceptions, women often face gender discrimination in employment, promotion, and wages (Rouhanizadeh & Kermanshachi, 2021). This discrimination is also underpinned by films that only portray female characters as ‘damsels in distress’ rather than as strong and intelligent academics. These problems can discourage women from working in STEM fields. For this reason, attention should be paid to the portrayal of women scientists in films based on their strengths as workers. After a while, this will pay off by changing the public’s perspective, which will contribute greatly to creating gender equality.
Moreover, sexualized or objectified portrayals of women scientists in the media may reinforce negative gender stereotypes and contribute to a culture of sexism and harassment in STEM professions. Such portrayals may also undermine the self-confidence and self-esteem of women in STEM disciplines, which may worsen retention rates and discourage women from choosing STEM jobs. That said, portraying women scientists as competent employees with capabilities can inspire women to work in STEM fields (Guevara-Ramírez et al., 2022). Films that show women scientists as capable, intelligent, and successful can dispel myths about their gender identity and reduce barriers to their participation in STEM professions. In addition, positive portrayals of women in science can increase the visibility and recognition of women scientists as role models for women and thus begin to build gender equality with societal support.
In conclusion, the under-representation of women in STEM fields and popular culture is a serious problem with practical implications for scientific inquiry and innovation. The under-representation of women in STEM professions in popular media contributes to harmful stereotypes and limits the range of occupations and roles that women can pursue in these fields. Women continue to face systemic barriers and prejudices that prevent them from seeking and succeeding in these fields. Addressing these challenges requires a multifaceted strategy that includes increasing opportunities for women in STEM professions, offering mentoring and assistance, and improving the portrayal of women in popular media. By taking these actions, it will be possible to create a more diverse and inclusive STEM workforce that is beneficial to all if steps are taken to address these challenges.
References
Berenbaum, M. R. (2015). XX-Rated entomologists in the movies. American Entomologist, 61(4), 204–206. Web.
Diaz, G. (2023). Women in science: “Working in a women-led research team allows for flexibility, inclusiveness and openness.” Global Center on Adaptation. Web.
Gross, R. E. (2022). Opinion: Feminist science is not an oxymoron. Undark Magazine. Web.
Guevara-Ramírez, P., Ruiz-Pozo, V. A., Cadena-Ullauri, S., Salazar-Navas, G., Bedón, A. A., V-Vázquez, J. F., & Zambrano, A. K. (2022). Ten simple rules for empowering women in STEM. PLOS Computational Biology, 18(12). Web.
Kumar, A. M., Goh, J. Y. Q., Tan, T. H. H., & Siew, C. S. Q. (2022). Gender stereotypes in hollywood movies and their evolution over time: Insights from network analysis. Big Data and Cognitive Computing, 6(2), 50. Web.
McKinnon, M., & O’Connell, C. (2020). Perceptions of stereotypes applied to women who publicly communicate their STEM work. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 7(1). Web.
Rouhanizadeh, B., & Kermanshachi, S. (2021). A gender-based analysis of workforce promotion factors in U.S. transportation agencies. Transportation Research Interdisciplinary Perspectives, 12(6), 100457. Web.