The Slayer

[Skanky Vamp]

We have all heard Joss speak on the reasons why he created Buffy, so I feel there is no need to rehash that here.

My question is how do you think Buffy the series, or the character shaped and influenced teen girls mindset? Did it empower them? Did it empower anyone you know? Give examples.

Or did it fall short of the mark? Could it have spoken to the inherent strength of the gender better? If you feel this way, please, give examples.

Or did the strength of Buffy alienate potential male viewers? Were they put off by the unapologetic female lead character whom often found herself saving the male characters? Do you think the women power angle was taken too far? Do you have any examples of this.

How, other than posting on a message board, did Buffy influence your life for either the positive or negative? Was it a minor impact or something larger, more profound?

 

[Spuffy78]

I think it spoke to males and females that in the sense that life's basically a roller coaster and you have to tough it out and have your friends help you with. It also showed that doing what's right isn't always the best thing or the thing that needs to be done. Personally for me it reflected on how I as a person had changed and how I matured with things me go through everyday.

 

[luckystar]

i think buffy gave a positive message overall, however as a character despite her strength as a person she was pretty weak with a tendancy to fall apart the only strength buffy has was in her fists really the slaying power, i started watching as a pre teen and as i got older it spoke to me on a different level than when i was younger, i learned the appreciate the messages about life for example the body powerful and realistic episode about nothing but real life, i dont believe that buffy been the hero allienated male viewers because lke i said before her strength was mainly physical, if anything giles was the strongest when it came to emotions, overall i believe the show does give a positive message and has influenced people to be stronger in many aspects

 

[Skanky Vamp]

Personally for me it reflected on how I as a person had changed and how I matured with things me go through everyday.

In realtion to treatment of people, stress or just in general?
[br][/br]
Edit:
[br][/br]

i started watching as a pre teen and as i got older it spoke to me on a different level than when i was younger, i learned the appreciate the messages about life for example

So you would say that the show actually grew with you? When you first started watching it, as a pre-teen, could you have really appreciated an episode like The Body as much as when you were older?

 

[luckystar]

good question and i do think the show grew with me i remember at one point actually been creeped out by the master and only seeing the show as been about vampires and demons etc i never saw the underlining issues and metaphors about life, i believe that if i had seen the body at my age of first joining the show i probably would have thought it was sad and boring, i wouldnt have got it at all it just goes to show that buffy never gets old it can be watched and appreciated by all ages but for different reasons

 

[atticus]

I do think the show had an empowering influence. I began watching it at a time where i felt very much that school was hell. I seen a group of characters that did not fit with the popular crowd, yet were content in themselves, and had a lot to offer. I enjoyed that. It was nice to see. I really embraced the concept of not fitting with the 'in-crowd', and school became far better because of it.
I really respected the strong female characters. That may have to do with the fact that i grew up with three strong sisters, who reminded me very much of Buffy. They had their struggles, but made it through. I think back then, strong females were not a huge shock to the system. I think if a show like Buffy was on now, it would be. Young females today seem drawn to celebrities like Paris, Nicole, Lindsey, and watch shows like The Hills. I don't find any of these people even remotely empowering. It just seems that they are pretty and rich, and long to be famous. I watched a 12 year old asking her mum to buy her Paris Hilton perfume. Personally, that scares me, as I have a 6 year old niece. I want her to grow up and have a strong sense of self, be able to take care of herself, and do something important. I rather have her watch a show about a girl who saves the world, than idolise a woman who's famous for a sex tape. I think young girls today really need better role models.

 

[Spuffy78]

In realtion to treatment of people, stress or just in general?
[br][/br]
Edit:
[br][/br]

So you would say that the show actually grew with you? When you first started watching it, as a pre-teen, could you have really appreciated an episode like The Body as much as when you were older?

In general. Dealing with loss, Love, Heartbreak, Making Tough Decisions, etc.

 

[PurplePoof]

I think that at the time it was released it was definitely empowering (and still is, more than likely). Buffy wasn't the first television "heroine" per se, but she was one of the first that was both capable and strong, as WELL as relatable. She was your average teenaged girl...but with superpowers, basically...which I'm sure most girls really dug.