Why is There So Much Violence Against Women on TV?
Following the uproar over Euphoria's copious nudity, let's reflect on who experiences pain on TV and why.
This article discusses heavy topics, including abuse, sexual violence, and more. Please stop reading if any of these themes may potentially trigger you.
When Season 2 of Euphoria dropped earlier this year, many fans of the show began to express their discontent with the amount of nudity present in the HBO Max hit series. "Am I tripping, or is the nudity on Euphoria this season extremely excessive… it's kinda off-putting? I genuinely don't understand what purpose it's serving," one user on Twitter wrote. These criticisms sparked a larger conversation on the violence and trauma present in a show like Euphoria and whether sensitive scenes should be cut. However, actors from the show, including Emmy-winner Zendaya, were clear that people should watch the show with caution. "I know I've said this before, but I do want to reiterate to everyone that Euphoria is for mature audiences," she said in an Instagram post.
Both points have value, but despite criticism of these same themes in the early 2000s-2010s, excessive nudity and violence against women in TV and film have persisted. We continue to primarily see women forced into horrific circumstances to shock audiences or create online traction. No one is arguing for censorship, but rather, we need to start asking screenwriters and directors: why? What does this violently graphic scene add to the larger conversation surrounding abuse or sexual trauma? How does this add to the storyline instead of aiding the male gaze? Where do we draw the line?
