It’s not a secret that I love ‘Desperate Housewives’. In fact, I love it so much that I usually watch the newest seasons online, as we are so far behind season wise in Denmark. Oh, the wonders of Internet.
My favorite couple has always been Lynette and Tom. They seem to have an equal relationship where each party is equally valued for their talents and achievements.
If not familiar with the characters of Desperate Housewives, I will provide a short summary.
Lynette and Tom differ from the other characters and couples on Wisteria Lane – the lane on which they all live – as they from my point of view challenge stereotypical and traditional Western gender roles.
For example, Lynette works fulltime for an advertising company where she just got promoted, where as Tom is a stay-at-home-dad. Not only do they challenge prevailing norms of work place and gender, also in their private spheres do they differ from traditional gender roles. Lynette is usually the ones making all the decisions – such as where to go on vacation and in which tree the bird house should be placed – and Tom happily follows her lead.
Among this couple, Lynette is the domineering matriarch and Tom her subject.
Now, this Sunday the show took a new turn.
Lynette and Tom hired a new handyman who refused to fix anything without Tom’s approval; Lynette’s orders weren’t enough. Of course, Lynette fired him (without consulting Tom).
The next that happens is Tom goes to pay the handyman a visit where he apologizes for firing him and offers an explanation for Lynette’s behavior: She grew up sans dad with an alcoholic mom. Therefore she is in need of being in control. And Tom knows Lynette feels safe, when she can control Tom. So Tom allows her to control him.
I will repeat, allows.
Just as this show was challenging prevailing gender norms in society, we are told that Lynette is in fact not in control. Instead, Tom is the one controlling the game, but lets Lynette believe she is the one with the power. So, on the outside – and to the ignorant Lynette – this family is a matriachy. But when in fact, it is a patriarchy– like every other stereotypical family – ruled by the analyzing and rational husband.
Once again we are presented with traditional gender roles. Highly disappointed for a show that up until now seems to not be afraid of challenging our misconceptions of how a family should be structured.
xoxo Cecilie
Cecilie
Maja