Villainization of Carrie Bradshaw

Welcome back, my lovely Whimsies. In today's article, we are going to discuss Carrie Bradshaw and her villainization. As most of you may know, she's the main character of the HBO series Sex and the City. Carrie is a columnist, fashion icon, and feminist symbol in the late '90s and early 2000s.

Let's wear our Manola Blahnik's and walk on Carrie's shoes for once.

Sarah Jessica Parker, as Carrie Bradshaw, and David Eigenberg, as Steve Brady. (Photo by James Devaney/WireImage)

Her columns about sexual life, womanhood in their early 30s, and her love life made her the feminist figure of her time. Representing independence, sexual liberation, and the complexities of women, Carrie was the "it girl" of her era.

Her boldness was celebrated because she was brave enough to make mistakes with a conscious mind. Her congratulatory traits have turned into pointing fingers that humiliate her. This change in the audience also changed the perception of Carrie Bradshaw.

What hasn't been discussed yet is her villainization over time. What changed, and why people started to shame her for what once was praised?

When Sex and the City was first released, the media created an icon by praising Carrie's courage, battles in love and career and her independence.

She is undeniably a distinctive personality, notwithstanding her portrayal as the antagonist.

In 2009, feminist author Naomi Wolf expressed that Carrie Bradshaw was the idol of the decade. On the other hand, Camilla Long's opinion was brief and explanatory: "Stuck between the greater promise of true love and the immediate practicality of settling down, Carrie’s choices were somehow our choices."  She said to the Salon.com in 2009.

With the emergence of the trad-wife trend, people started to view Carrie as a villain and enemy of the women. It was a shocking experience for me to see Charlotte's romanticisation in the media. Since the main idea behind the show is to highlight these complex women characters' struggles, I thought everyone was well aware none of them were meant to be seen as completely healthy. Instead, on social media platforms, a Charlotte was created who longs for a healthy marriage and pursues healthy ways for it. And, Carrie was painted who is self-centred, selfish, and a home-wrecker.

Sarah Jessica Parker during Sarah Jessica Parker on Location for Sex and the City at Wall Street in New York City, New York, United States. (Photo by James Devaney/WireImage)

The truth was neither Charlotte nor Carrie was sane. Carrie cheated on Aidan, had an affair with Big, and made poor financial decisions and all of these are only implied to Carrie like there's no fault of the men of the show. A show focused on how women's life affected by men turns into a show where women are not sane and the only healthy decision they can have is marriage - no matter how it happens.

I think people often forget Charlotte's first marriage, in which she wanted to marry like a virgin who refused sexual intercourse and cheated on his husband.

If we consider the show released 26 years ago, it is jaw-dropping to see younger generations start to think more conservatively.

I can't help but wonder how the show would be perceived if it were released today. How are the younger people navigating their love life? Have Carrie's, of course, as Miranda's, Charlotte's, and Samantha's mistakes become lessons for them?

Despite the negative media portrayal, it is undeniable that everyone still loves Carrie. Even if we don't want to accept it, everyone has a little Carrie in them. Maybe her expensive fashion taste, maybe her obsession, maybe her talent. She is a complex character, and no show created a character like Carrie to discuss women and their hardships.

Her public image evolves over time, but at the end of the day, she is defined by our perception of her, not by how the media portrays her.

To read more about Carrie Bradshaw and Sex and the City, click here.