History Main / MenAreStrongWomenArePretty

In the last few decades there has been more of a push to create [[ActionGirl dynamic female characters]]. Unfortunately this often seems to come at the expense of the male characters they are paired with who are portrayed as incompetent and emasculated. It is a hard balance to strike, and difficult to imagine a [[InvertedTrope work]] in which a [[BeautyIsNeverTarnished beautiful]], [[VirginPower vir]][[AManIsNotAVirgin gin]] [[{{Bishonen}} male character]] is saved from peril by a [[BeautyToBeast grizzled]] [[ActionGirl female]] AntiHero who is [[LoveRedeems changed for the better]] by his [[IncorruptiblePurePureness pure heart]], without the man seeming like a useless [[ARealManIsAKiller wussy-pants]] whose wuss-ness disqualifies him from being a man and, more importantly, from [[MenAreTheExpendableGender being saved]]. See ActionGirlfriend for the few couples who approach such a dynamic, like Zoe and Wash from ''{{Firefly}}''.

In the last few decades there has been more of a push to create [[ActionGirl attractive, dynamic female characters]]. Unfortunately this often seems to come at the expense of the male characters they are paired with who are portrayed as incompetent and emasculated. It is a hard balance to strike, and difficult to imagine a [[InvertedTrope work]] in which a [[BeautyIsNeverTarnished beautiful]], [[VirginPower vir]][[AManIsNotAVirgin gin]] [[{{Bishonen}} male character]] is saved from peril by a [[BeautyToBeast grizzled]] [[ActionGirl female]] AntiHero who is [[LoveRedeems changed for the better]] by his [[IncorruptiblePurePureness pure heart]], without the man seeming like a useless [[ARealManIsAKiller wussy-pants]] whose wuss-ness disqualifies him from being a man and, more importantly, from [[MenAreTheExpendableGender being saved]]. See ActionGirlfriend for the few couples who approach such a dynamic, like Zoe and Wash from ''{{Firefly}}''.

* Compare [[HeroicBuild male superheroes]] with [[MostCommonSuperpower their female counterparts]]... yeah.

* In WesternAnimation/{{WALL-E}}, while pretty much every robot featured is ''adorable'', EVE is the one who does a whole lot more for the sake of her boyfriend and her directive/career, while WALL-E himself is pretty much thrust into situations he shouldn't be in for the sake of a romantic partner.

* BuffyTheVampireSlayer tends to kick much more ass than any of her boyfriends (master vampires included).
* ''{{Firefly}}'' has tough soldier Zoe married to sensitive pilot Wash.

In the last few decades there has been more of a push to create [[ActionGirl attractive, dynamic female characters]]. Unfortunately this often seems to come at the expense of the male characters they are paired with who are portrayed as incompetent and emasculated. It is a hard balance to strike, and difficult to imagine a [[InvertedTrope work]] in which a [[BeautyIsNeverTarnished beautiful]], [[VirginPower virgin]] [[{{Bishonen}} male character]] is saved from peril by a [[BeautyToBeast grizzled]] [[ActionGirl female]] AntiHero who is [[LoveRedeems changed for the better]] by his [[IncorruptiblePurePureness pure heart]], without the man seeming like a useless [[ARealManIsAKiller wussy-pants]] whose wuss-ness disqualifies him from being a man and, more importantly, from [[MenAreTheExpendableGender being saved]]. See ActionGirlfriend for the few couples who approach such a dynamic, like Zoe and Wash from ''{{Firefly}}''.

* Originally in [[{{Shazam}} the Marvel Family]] all three members had Strength, Wisdom and Speed; however, while Billy and Freddie also had Stamina, Power and Bravery, Mary's additional powers were Beauty, Grace and Skill. {{Averted}} in the PostCrisis reimagining, where the three all had the same powers from the same (male) benefactors.

For women the implication is that your actions are irrelevant to your attractiveness to the opposite sex. As long as you're beautiful, even if you're 105 lbs of [[TheLoad useless deadweight]] or [[CompleteMonster a complete and utter bitch]] you're still desirable. And if you're not born beautiful enough, no matter what you do, FailureIsTheOnlyOption for you.

For women the implication is that your actions and morality are irrelevant to your attractiveness to the opposite sex. As long as you're beautiful, even if you're 105 lbs of [[TheLoad useless deadweight]] or [[CompleteMonster a complete and utter bitch]] you're still desirable. And if you're not born beautiful enough, no matter what you do, FailureIsTheOnlyOption for you.

For women the implication is that your actions are irrelevant to your attractiveness to the opposite sex. As long as you're beautiful, even if you're 105 lbs of [[TheLoad useless deadweight]] or [[WomanScorned utterly psychotic]] you're still desirable. And if you're not born beautiful enough, no matter what you do, FailureIsTheOnlyOption for you.

For women the implication is that your actions are irrelevant to your attractiveness to the opposite sex. As long as you're beautiful, even if you're 105 lbs of [[TheLoad useless deadweight]] or [[WomanScorned utterly psychotic]] you're still desirable.

The UnfortunateImplications for men is that men are shallow and [[AllMenArePerverts only after one thing]], thus they don't care if a woman is a dynamic, active character. Also, male characters will end up pulling more than their own weight, [[HystericalWoman emotionally]] and [[MenAreTheExpendableGender physically]], in works where this trope is in effect.

In summary, physical attractiveness only ever adds to a woman's sex appeal while being active [[NoGuyWantsAnAmazon may]] or [[HotAmazon may not]] detract. Whereas for men being proactive only ever adds to a man's sex appeal while being physically attractive may or may not add to his desirability.

Certain ideals are expected to be embodied by male and female characters for them to be seen as attractive to the opposite sex. Sexy female characters are physically desirable; Sexy male characters are strong and proactive. This is a consequence of MenActWomenAre as applied to sex appeal: A woman's attractiveness is mostly due to her passive physical attributes, while a man's attractiveness is mostly a result of his behavior.

For female characters, passivity does not detract from their attractiveness. In extreme cases, female characters who are ''very'' active will be seen as [[NoGuyWantsAnAmazon undesirable]], or that they can only love a man [[AllAmazonsWantHercules stronger]] [[BestHerToBedHer than themselves]]. Furthermore, a physically unattractive woman will always be unattractive regardless of how proactive she is. Male characters are viewed as less attractive if they are passive. In fact a [[MagnificentBastard dynamic]] [[AllGirlsWantBadBoys evil man]] is more likely to be viewed as [[DracoInLeatherPants attractive]] than a [[NonActionGuy decent but weak man]]. A physically unattractive man's dynamic qualities can also make him more attractive.

Some male characters who are physically attractive-particularly in a "[[PrettyBoy pretty boy]]" kind of way -- will be seen as [[NonActionGuy weak]], less than a man, or [[MistakenForGay suspected of being gay]]. This holds doubly true if they spend time [[TheDandy cultivating their attractiveness]] (in fact, many male characters with [[MrFanservice a large female following]] tend to be disliked by some male audience members -- possibly because [[StupidSexyFlanders he's a threat to their sense of masculinity]]).

In summary, physical attractiveness only ever adds to a woman's sex appeal while being active [[NoGuyWantsAnAmazon may]] or [[HotAmazon may not]] detract. Whereas for men being proactive only ever adds to a man's sex appeal while being physically attractive may or may not add to his desirability.

These differing standards lead to the genders being held to equally damaging but different standards of attractiveness and have numerous UnfortunateImplications.

For women the implication is that your actions are irrelevant to your attractiveness to the opposite sex. As long as you're beautiful, even if you're 105 lbs of [[TheLoad useless deadweight]] or [[WomanScorned utterly psychotic]] you're still desirable.

The UnfortunateImplications for men is that men are shallow and [[AllMenArePerverts only after one thing]], thus they don't care if a woman is a dynamic, active character. Also, male characters will end up pulling more than their own weight, [[HystericalWoman emotionally]] and [[MenAreTheExpendableGender physically]], in works where this trope is in effect.

And, just like the beauty ideal puts incredible pressure on women to be beautiful, the strength ideal puts incredible pressure on men to judge themselves against an impossible standard of [[TheStoic stoicism]], [[TheDeterminator willpower]] and [[CharlesAtlasSuperpower physical strength]]. These pressures have not received as much press or attention on their effects on men and boys, partially due to the idea that men aren't as [[MenDontCry emotionally fragile as women]], that things that [[MenAreTheExpendableGender affect women are worse than things that affect men]]. This in turn enforces another DoubleStandard: That women must be [[DamselInDistress defended]] from the evil media, while men [[AcceptableTargets should be able to just shrug it off]].

This is the supertrope for UglyGuyHotWife, BeastAndBeauty, HollywoodHomely, NonActionGuy. See also BeautyIsNeverTarnished, and the unequal application of DirtForcefield.
----
!!General Examples
* In [[RomanticComedy romantic comedies]], an undesirable woman can easily remedy her faults with a makeover, and, surprise, surprise, discover that SheCleansUpNicely. An undesirable male's transformation is less of a physical one, and more about [[ComingOfAgeStory growing up]] and accepting responsibility for his actions.
* The tropes CuteMonsterGirl and GreenSkinnedSpaceBabe: Even non-human creatures must be conventionally attractive to human males.

* NoGuyWantsToBeChased, NoGuyWantsAnAmazon, AllAmazonsWantHercules, BestHerToBedHer: Women want men who are stronger than they are. Some women are seen as [[WeaknessTurnsHerOn attracted to weak men]] however the assumption is that they are attracted to [[TheWoobie these men]] in order to [[{{Dominatrix}} dominate]] and [[ChewToy abuse them]]. Or, in lighter versions where the man is [[HurtingHero justifiably]] [[IronWoobie weak]], [[FlorenceNightingaleEffect she is attracted to him]] because of his need for [[IntimateHealing healing]]. The man in these more acceptable scenarios is still a {{badass}} or a former [[ShellShockedVeteran badass]].
* Compare [[HeroicBuild male superheroes]] with [[MostCommonSuperpower their female counterparts]]... yeah.
* The fact that {{Faux Action Girl}}s can exist. It's not really necessary to establish them as strong as long as they're hot. A male character who is supposed to be {{badass}} needs to live up to his reputation through acts of strength and manliness, while a female character does not.
* Our so-called modern attitudes regarding sexuality betray this trope. Men are seen to give women pleasure through their actions; while men get pleasure from women's bodies in a way that women don't from men's. Thus the emphasis is on men's technique, or their agency, and women's bodies, or their passive attributes, in sex.
* Pretty much every group of TrueCompanions in {{shonen}}. In good shonen {{manga}}, every character in the group is useful in their own way. Meaning [[TheSmurfettePrinciple the majority (the men)]] can be {{gonk}}s as long at they're also {{badass}}es. Women however, no matter how competent, must ALSO be (at the very least) cute. And of course, in poor shonen manga, the females tends to be regulated to being [[MsFanservice eye candy]], her looks being [[FlatCharacter her only interesting point]].
* AbhorrentAdmirer, FatGirl, HollywoodHomely, HollywoodPudgy: Women are basically not allowed to look "plain", let alone be ugly. In the off-chance an ugly woman makes an appearance on screen, chances are she's a {{Foil}} to a [[UnkemptBeauty frumpy]] yet [[BeautifulAllAlong eventually attractive]] woman; or she's a [[BeautyEqualsGoodness villain]]. Additionally, women are ''forbidden'' to look for physical attractiveness in men as it makes them pass off as shallow bitches.

!!Specific Examples:

[[AC:LiveActionTelevision]]
* Invoked in ''WhoWantsToBeASuperhero'', where the comic covers for the potential contestants had the men with bigger muscles than the real ones, and the women are likewise depicted with [[MostCommonSuperpower bigger breasts]].

[[AC:Film]]
* In {{WALLE}}, while pretty much every robot featured is ''adorable'', EVE is the one who does a whole lot more for the sake of her boyfriend and her directive/career, while WALL-E himself is pretty much thrust into situations he shouldn't be in for the sake of a romantic partner.

[[AC:LiveActionTelevision]]

* BuffyTheVampireSlayer tends to kick much more ass than any of her boyfriends (master vampires included).

[[AC:{{Web Comics}}]]

* ''APrairieHomeCompanion'': In Lake Wobegon, all the women are strong, all the men are good-looking, and all the children are above average.

* In TheOrderOfTheStick, it is Elan (the man) that is constantly being referred to as physically attractive; his female love interest, Haley, is more skilled at battle and never mentioned as being especially good-looking. (Since this is a StickFigureComic, looks are strictly an InformedAttribute.)

* In TheOrderOfTheStick, it is Elan (the man) that is constantly being referred to as physically attractive; his female love interest, Haley, is never mentioned as being especially good-looking. (Since this is a StickFigureComic, looks are strictly an InformedAttribute.)

For female characters, passivity does not detract from their attractiveness. In extreme cases, female characters who are ''very'' active will be seen as [[NoGuyWantsAnAmazon undesirable]], or that they can only love a man [[AllAmazonsWantHercules stronger]] [[TheRedSonja than themselves]]. Furthermore, a physically unattractive woman will always be unattractive regardless of how proactive she is. Male characters are viewed as less attractive if they are passive. In fact a [[MagnificentBastard dynamic]] [[AllGirlsWantBadBoys evil man]] is more likely to be viewed as [[DracoInLeatherPants attractive]] than a [[NonActionGuy decent but weak man]]. A physically unattractive man's dynamic qualities can also make him more attractive.

* NoGuyWantsToBeChased, NoGuyWantsAnAmazon, AllAmazonsWantHercules, TheRedSonja: Women want men who are stronger than they are. Some women are seen as [[WeaknessTurnsHerOn attracted to weak men]] however the assumption is that they are attracted to [[TheWoobie these men]] in order to [[{{Dominatrix}} dominate]] and [[ChewToy abuse them]]. Or, in lighter versions where the man is [[HurtingHero justifiably]] [[IronWoobie weak]], [[FlorenceNightingaleEffect she is attracted to him]] because of his need for [[IntimateHealing healing]]. The man in these more acceptable scenarios is still a {{badass}} or a former [[ShellShockedVeteran badass]].

Some male characters who are physically attractive-particularly in a "[[PrettyBoy pretty boy]]" kind of way -- will be seen as [[NonActionGuy weak]], less than a man, or [[MistakenForGay suspected of being gay]]. This holds doubly true if they spend time [[TheDandy cultivating their attractiveness]] (in fact, many male characters with [[EstrogenBrigadeBait a large female following]] tend to be disliked by some male audience members -- possibly because [[StupidSexyFlanders he's a threat to their sense of masculinity]]).

For female characters, passivity does not detract from their attractiveness. In extreme cases, female characters who are ''very'' active will be seen as [[NoGuyWantsAnAmazon undesirable]], or that they can only love a man stronger [[TheRedSonja than themselves]]. Furthermore, a physically unattractive woman will always be unattractive regardless of how proactive she is. Male characters are viewed as less attractive if they are passive. In fact a [[MagnificentBastard dynamic]] [[AllGirlsWantBadBoys evil]] [[BastardBoyfriend man]] is more likely to be viewed as [[DracoInLeatherPants attractive]] than a [[NonActionGuy decent but weak man]]. A physically unattractive man's dynamic qualities can also make him more attractive.

And, just like the beauty ideal puts incredible pressure on women to be beautiful, the strength ideal puts incredible pressure on men to judge themselves against an impossible standard of [[TheStoic stoicism]], [[TheDeterminator willpower]] and [[CharlesAtlasSuperpower physical strength]]. These pressures have not received as much press or attention on their effects on men and boys, partially due to the idea that men aren't as [[MadeOfIron emotionally fragile as women]], that things that [[MenAreTheExpendableGender affect women are worse than things that affect men]]. This in turn enforces another DoubleStandard: That women must be [[DamselInDistress defended]] from the evil media, while men [[AcceptableTargets should be able to just shrug it off]].

Some male characters who are physically attractive-particularly in a "[[{{Bishonen}} pretty boy]]" kind of way -- will be seen as [[NonActionGuy weak]], less than a man, or [[MistakenForGay suspected of being gay]]. This holds doubly true if they spend time [[TheDandy cultivating their attractiveness]] (in fact, many male characters with [[EstrogenBrigadeBait a large female following]] tend to be disliked by some male audience members -- possibly because [[StupidSexyFlanders he's a threat to their sense of masculinity]]).

--> -- '''BareNakedLadies''', ''"What a Good Boy"''

For female characters, passivity does not detract from their attractiveness. In extreme cases, female characters who are ''very'' active will be seen as [[NoGuyWantsAnAmazon undesirable]], or that they can only love a man stronger [[TheRedSonja than themselves.]] Furthermore, a physically unattractive woman will always be unattractive regardless of how proactive she is. Male characters are viewed as less attractive if they are passive. In fact a [[MagnificentBastard dynamic]] [[AllGirlsWantBadBoys evil]] [[BastardBoyfriend man]] is more likely to be viewed as [[DracoInLeatherPants attractive]] than a [[NonActionGuy decent but weak man.]] A physically unattractive man's dynamic qualities can also make him more attractive.

Some male characters who are physically attractive-particularly in a "[[{{Bishonen}} pretty boy]]" kind of way- will be seen as [[NonActionGuy weak]], less than a man, or [[MistakenForGay suspected of being gay.]] This holds doubly true if they spend time [[TheDandy cultivating their attractiveness]]. (In fact, many male characters with [[EstrogenBrigadeBait a large female following]] tend to be disliked by some male audience members- possibly because [[StupidSexyFlanders he's a threat to their sense of masculinity]].)

* In romantic comedies, an undesirable woman can easily remedy her faults with a makeover, and, surprise, surprise, discover that SheCleansUpNicely. An undesirable male's transformation is less of a physical one, and more about [[ComingOfAgeStory growing up]] and accepting responsibility for his actions.
* The tropes CuteMonsterGirl and GreenSkinnedSpaceBabe- even non-human creatures must be conventionally attractive to human males.
* BeastAndBeauty and UglyGuyHotWife- men want women who are more attractive than they are. If they choose women based on qualities other than looks, then they are suspected of [[MistakenForGay being gay]] and the women they're with is obviously [[TheBeard an attempt to deflect from their gayness.]] In this dynamic, women are ''forbidden'' to want physical attractiveness in their mate. Often because they are [[CloserToEarth above being selfish and petty.]]
* NoGuyWantsToBeChased, NoGuyWantsAnAmazon, AllAmazonsWantHercules, TheRedSonja- women want men who are stronger than they are. Some women are seen as [[WeaknessTurnsHerOn attracted to weak men]] however the assumption is that they are attracted to [[TheWoobie these men]] in order to [[{{Dominatrix}} dominate]] and [[ChewToy abuse them]]. Or, in lighter versions where the man is [[HurtingHero justifiably]] [[IronWoobie weak]], [[FlorenceNightingaleEffect she is attracted to him]] because of his need for [[IntimateHealing healing]]. The man in these more acceptable scenarios is still a Badass or a former [[ShellShockedVeteran badass]].
* Compare [[HeroicBuild male superheroes]] with [[MostCommonSuperpower their female counterparts]].... yeah.
* The fact that {{Faux Action Girl}}s can exist- it's not really necessary to establish them as strong as long as they're hot. A male character who is supposed to be {{Badass}} needs to live up to his reputation through acts of strength and manliness, while a female character does not.

* Pretty much every group of TrueCompanions in shonen. In good shonen manga, every character in the group is useful in their own way. Meaning the majority (the men) can be gonks as long at they're also {{badass}}es. Women however, no matter how competent, must ALSO be (at the very least) cute. And of course, in poor shonen manga, the females tends to be regulated to being [[MsFanservice eye candy]], her looks being [[FlatCharacter her only interesting point]].

!!Specific Examples

!! Inversions

* ''APrairieHomeCompanion'': In Lake Wobegon, all the women are strong and all the men are good-looking.
** ...And all the children are above average.
* ''{{Chuck}}'', where the protagonist is a {{Nerd}} and (one of) his bodyguards is an ActionGirl; he's also the sensitive one who helps her deal with her inner demons. (He is also HollywoodHomely.)

* [[BuffyTheVampireSlayer Buffy]] tends to kick much more ass than any of her boyfriends (master vampires included).
* ''{{Firefly}}'' has tough soldier Zoe married to sensitive pilot Wash.

* Pretty much every shonen {{nakama}}. In good shonen manga, every character in the group is useful in their own way. Meaning the majority (the men) can be gonks as long at they're also {{badass}}es. Women however, no matter how competent, must ALSO be (at the very least) cute. And of course, in poor shonen manga, the females tends to be regulated to being [[MsFanservice eye candy]], her looks being [[FlatCharacter her only interesting point]].

* BeastAndBeauty and UglyGuyHotWife- men want women who are more attractive than they are. If they choose women based on qualities other than looks, then they are suspected of [[MistakenForGay being gay]] and the women they're with is obviously [[TheBeard an attempt to deflect from their gayness.]] In this dynamic, women are not expected to want physical attractiveness in their mate. Often because they are [[CloserToEarth above being selfish and petty.]]

* AbhorrentAdmirer, FatGirl, HollywoodHomely, HollywoodThin, HollywoodPudgy: Women are basically not allowed to look "plain", let alone be ugly. In the off-chance an ugly woman makes an appearance on screen, chances are she's a {{Foil}} to a [[UnkemptBeauty frumpy]] yet [[BeautifulAllAlong eventually attractive]] woman; or she's a [[BeautyEqualsGoodness villain]]. Additionally, women are ''forbidden'' to look for physical attractiveness in men as it makes them pass off as shallow bitches.