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Feminism in G.I. Jane


             Jane (1997) stars Demi Moore as Jordan O'Neil in this Hollywood blockbuster where feminist ideas are clearly laid out. Feminism is a school of political thought, the offshoots of which all agree upon seeking to uncover hidden assumptions about gender in how we study International Relations as a subject (Goldstein, Whitworth. P. 108). However, the film presents the viewpoint of one feminist branch in particular, namely liberal feminism, whose main assumption is that women and men are equal, and the same in their capacities and how they react to the World System (P. 110). Moreover, according to Sjoberg, feminism has a normative goal in its political agenda, which recognizes and deconstructs gender hierarchies in global politics (2010). As these assumptions and norms are personified through the film, the significance of feminism in International Relations becomes evident. The status quo of the male dominated World system is a social construct that can be overcome in the realisation that the characteristics associated with gender are not natural and neutral but are rather social constructs that do not hold firm universally.
             Jordan O'Neil, a member of the U.S. navy, is selected as the guinea pig in a test that would determine if women will be fully integrated into all branches of the U.S. navy. Senator Lillian DeHaven, herself a strong female presence in the film, selects Jordan specifically to undergo the Navy SEALS training program, as she is deemed more feminine in physical features, and presumably a generic representation of women. Because of that specific episode, it might seem that the movie is reinforcing views that women, in general are identifiable in their physical qualities, which are much less greater than men. Thus, one could maintain that the movie is not feminist and it reinforces gender norms.


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