Considering the representations of women in the Skinhead subculture with particular reference to ‘This Is England’
This essay will focus on the representations of women within the skinhead subculture, with specific reference to ‘This Is England”, in particular, one of the main characters ‘LOL’.
Women in ‘This Is England’ tend to be shown as more in control and more forceful rather than feeble.
The representations of women have changed dramatically. Since the first ‘This Is England’ was made. In the series continuation the women have more radical roles then the men.
Also, the representations of women being too sensitive and feminine have been demolished. In ‘This Is England 86’ we see the female skinheads become more independent and tough, which means they have become more accustomed to the males roles in the skinhead community. I think this shows that throughout the skinhead community women and men are not separated into two different categories according to their sex, but instead merge the two with men and women taking on each other’s roles. For example, when a friend of ‘LOL’s gets sexually assaulted by her father, ‘LOL’ steps in to protect her, rather than turning to receive help from a male companion.
Society in the 1980’s was structured around men and women giving into certain stereotypes and following their chosen roles. For example, men were the primary breadwinners and women where the mothers and housewives.
However, within the skinhead subculture, these stereotypical views were being replaced with men and women breadwinners and women who were tougher than men, leading their own individual lives without the support of a husband.
This is evident in ‘This Is England’, when we see that ‘LOL’ does not conform to stereotypes and is evidently more masculine and tough than her boyfriend.
During the 1980’s the media tends to view Skinheads in an extremely negative light, however ‘LOL’ does not necessarily fit into this stereotype, all through her appearance she can be classed as a skinhead, her personality differs from the norm. Although ‘LOL’ is seen as Shaun’s mothers figure and has a stable loving relationship with ‘Woody’.
As quoted by Judith Butler in her feminist thoughts on gender trouble, “One is not born a woman, but rather becomes one.”
I can use this quote in reference to the main character ‘LOL’ as she is seen to ‘become a woman’ when she takes over the motherly duties of Shaun.
This is evident if we take a look at ‘LOL’ before Shaun was initiated into the group. Before this development, LOL was more fitting as a lead male role model in the group, taking part in the drinking, drugs and violence aspects of the group’s daily lives.
However, although she continued to be part of these activities, when Shaun became part of the group, ‘LOL’ was seen to be more mothering and became Shaun’s substitute mother figure while he was part of the group.
Women in the media are consistently seen as sex objects. Being the figures of the male gaze, we see a drastic change in this perception in ‘This Is England’. The female characters in this film are not portrayed as sex objects and are seen as more ‘equal’ the male figures. This is evident firstly, when we look at the different types of fashion spread among the characters. From tomboy to Goth, each female character has their own sense of fashion that fits into the specific decade but, I have seen that the women do not dress to appeal to the male gaze.
In the series continuation, ‘This Is England 86’ we see a very drastic change in the role of character ‘LOL’. In some very pivotal scenes we see ‘LOL’ searching for help and she turns to best friend milky. We then see this relationship develop into an affair as well as seeing LOL develop into a more male character, mistreating her fiancé, binge drinking and having an affair, all of which are typical male characteristics.
