by Diana Martinez

This may be a touchy subject for many of our SPARK readers, since Glee is a popular favorite amongst many of us. I, too, am a fan of Glee. I love musicals, I love drama, and above all, I LOVE Jane Lynch.  But after the recent episode featuring alcohol use and abuse, I knew that someone from the SPARKteam had to call attention to the show that so many Americans and young women adore.

I enjoy watching Glee, but I always have at least one complaint for every episode I watch.  For the episode that aired on February 22nd, my main complaint (other than the over-sexualizing shots of Britney and Santana at the party) is the “five kinds of drunk girls” stereotype.  Finn listed them as, the sad drunk, the angry drunk, the happy drunk, the stripper drunk, and the needy drunk.  He made these traits seem like they were more characteristic of girls than of drunks, when in reality, boys and men emulate all five of these mannerisms.  As a college student, I’ve seen it with my own eyes, multiple times.  In reality, Finn was saying that females are overemotional or smutty, drunk or not.  A lot of times stereotypes are allocated to women–when truly all people can practice such behaviors.

Additionally, in terms of the representation of the dangers of alcohol, I must say that Glee oversimplified the situation.  I believe that alcohol use can be acceptable in a social setting, but always in moderation.  The students complained to Mr. Schuester that since they had designated drivers, there was nothing wrong with their alcohol use.  However, they were forgetting about the health risks, addiction risks, vulnerability to sexual assault risks, and the risks from making uninhibited decisions.  And it blew my mind that Mr. Schuester had forgotten to bring up all of those points as well.

Most of the time I find the characters on the show to be complex enough and not too stereotypical.  However there are certain behavior types that suggest a stereotypical image of women in general.  For example, Mr. Schuester announces his divorce in the first season, and the next three episodes show three different women throwing themselves at him, suggesting that women are sexually dependent and that Mr. Schuester is some kind of a sex god.

Another example is when the Glee girls played with the football team and literally laid on the ground, letting the boys do all the work.  Sure, it was treated as a safety precaution, but Coach Beiste is crafty enough to formulate a play involving the girls in a more constructive and strategic manner than lying motionless.  I think the writers passed up the opportunity to do something really great there.  They often do.  Furthermore, what’s with the lack of female solidarity?  I understand the show needs drama, but aggressive rivalries between females just fortify the strength of patriarchy.

Having said that, I think there are some positive portrayals of women in the show, as well.  I’m glad that Rachel takes the role as a leader in the club, even though everyone underestimates her and tells her to shut up.  Women have to deal with opposition to their leadership, and although Rachel is probably the least popular character, I respect that she never gives up on her passion to lead.  Mercedes speaks her mind when she’s offended and shows warmth to those who truly need it.  Coach Beiste proves that women can be knowledgeable in male-dominated sports and still have traditionally female desires.  I especially love the newest member of the Glee Club, Lauren, a confident and sassy young woman from the school’s wrestling team.  She is the definition of taking sexy and femininity back.

In my opinion, to be a true fan of something is to be able to look at it critically and give suggestions for improvements.  Glee’s got some progressive ideas, but it’s got quite a way to go.