Man-hating TV shows? How unfair and sexist
MALE antagonists on TV dramas are hardly a new wave (Mail). When a story needs a decent shady character or downright monster, then men often make the best villains because that’s simply how most writers depict them. Men and women make equally good actors, but you can only work with the script you’re given and female villains, when they exist, tend to have a pretty flat characterisation. She’s just some horrible or bitter woman who isn’t given much of an identity. It’s men on film and TV who are given rich motivations and detailed back stories, allowing us to empathise with them and make sense of their actions, however heinous their crimes. Don’t blame feminism or the #MeToo movement for so-called man-hating shows. Blame sexism. I want to see just as many female antagonists on screen as male ones. Women are complicated and some are downright evil. They deserve to be shown in as much depth as male characters.
EMILIE McRAE, Trowbridge, Wilts.
I ECHO the sentiments of Bel Mooney and her disgust at the pervading demonisation of men. Anyone who hasn’t been bullied into silence and dares to suggest it’s not all men is vilified. Like Bel, I am a feminist, believing we are all equal and should be treated as such. Labelling men as monsters is blatant sexism and does not promote equality, just more hatred. This intolerance is leading to a generation of women raising their daughters to be man-haters. Misogyny should not be tolerated, but equally, nor should misandry.
MARGUERITE FALLON, Weybridge, Surrey.