A "chick flick" can be defined as a movie that appeals especially to women, usually having a romantic or sentimental theme and a female lead character.
While this definition isn't necessarily problematic, the connotations surrounding the term in today's society are.
These films are generally romantic comedies and thought of as being irrationally emotional, sappy, and full of problems that are seen as melodramatic. They are also thought of to be made specifically for the enjoyment of women. Even the term "chick flick" is gendered and suggests that these movies are only supposed to appeal to females.
This isn't only insulting, it also perpetuates harmful and unhealthy gender stereotypes and standards within our society.
When you think of chick flicks, what sort of films are the first to pop up? "Sixteen Candles," "Mean Girls," "10 Things I Hate About You," and basically any Nicholas Sparks novel movie adaptation — movies that, as the definition said, normally have female leads and have romantic storylines.
The thing is, movies that feature a male lead aren't considered exclusively for men, so it's clear that movies that feature female leads are considered exclusively for women because of their focus on romantic storylines.
But why?
In our society, romance is seen as a something that is for women, something only they want.
This is just untrue and unfair.
Romance isn't something that can only be enjoyed by woman — anyone should be able to enjoy movies, TV shows, books — life — with elements of romance in it. To use the word "chick flick" in reference to films that deal with romantic plot lines is to suggest that romance is something only women enjoy.
No one should be made to feel like they're somehow wrong for liking romance or romantic comedies just because of how they identify. If they don't like romantic movies, that's fine. But they shouldn't feel like they can't like it because of their gender and the negative implications of the term "chick flick." Romance and romantic comedy are movie genres, they don't need a dismissive and condescending nickname like "chick flick" to label them.
Anyone can enjoy romance and rom-coms.
"Chick flick" is a dismissive and unhelpful term that does nothing but contribute to harmful and unhealthy gender stereotypes. There's no reason for it to be used.
