MovieChat Forums > I Dream of Jeannie (1965) Discussion > Was Jeannie an early example of the "Bor...

Was Jeannie an early example of the "Born Sexy Yesterday" trope?

posted 2 years ago by TMC-4 (19411)
10 replies | jump to latest

For those who don't know what that is:

https://www.filminquiry.com/born-sexy-yesterday/

Born sexy yesterday – the movie motif virtually unknown to the conscious mind which has an uncomfortable and troubling complex. Born sexy yesterday (BSY) is the common sexual fantasy depicted in films and television shows (created by men and for men), around female characters that exude sex appeal, but other than their physical aesthetic, they mimic the behaviors, intelligence and attitudes of a young child. This trope has been around for decades, but only recently has it started to be consciously understood.

In 2017 the YouTube channel Pop Culture Detective made a video highlighting the concerning trope, drawing their audience’s attention to the broad range of films that include it. These films are rather deviant, as they all have a card up their sleeve to argue with those who disapprove of their sexist and slightly pedophiliac portrayals: the women in these exploits are ultimately the saviors/heroines of the narrative – a feminist façade. This style of character is so common, but has simultaneously slipped under the radar in terms of its radiating message.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0thpEyEwi80

It’s time to remove the rose-tinted glasses and see these characters for what they truly represent, and why this trope is almost never seen within male characters.

[–] Mustang (5222) 2 years ago

I think being a Genie she doesn't have to be responsible or care. She just wants to have fun. Given her her supernatural state I don't think the trope applies.

[–] strntz (10801) 2 years ago

I don't deny it exists, I just don't get it. I always hated the "dumb blonde" characters. To me, a woman of high intelligence, sophistication, and moral character strength who must also succumb to such a base biological urge as physical sex is far more alluring to me. I realize I just described my wife..

Jeannie? Maybe. While she's not dumb, she does kind of fit the depiction in some ways.

[–] BillySlater (4097) 2 years ago

I would not call her dumb either. More like a fish out of water with superpowers.

[–] strntz (10801) 2 years ago

I guess naive is a better description than dumb.

[–] [email protected] (5497) 20 days ago

Your wife sounds like a cool lady strntz. I imagine you never send her back into her bottle! lol

Yes, Jeannie wasn't dumb, but she was totally unfamiliar with the world in which she was living. You can't blame her for seeming sort of "dumb". But she was trapped in her bottle for two thousand years and modern day America and its culture were totally foreign to her.

[–] strntz (10801) 19 days ago

I imagine you never send her back into her bottle! lol

She'd find a way out and kick my ass!

I'm very fortunate and eternally grateful for finding her when I did - my life has been wonderful for knowing her. I actually feel guilty sometimes.

[–] [email protected] (5497) 16 days ago

Why should you feel guilty for being happy? You always speak so well and so lovingly of your wife.

My ex-husband was mean and verbally abusive to me, yet HE never felt guilty! Actually he was mean to a lot of people such as our neighbors, my family, co-workers, etc. Yet he always found a way to blame everyone else for his miserable behavior. Classic narcissist. So it makes me sad to hear when nice people feel guilty for no reason.

[–] OnanTheBarbarian (10334) 20 days ago

This theory is second wave feminist nonsense. It's more like the dumb blonde syndrome.

Sure, men have always sexually objectified woman in our society. But has nothing to do with sexualizing children. It's a whole separate animal and to conflate the two is foolish.

I've seen the trope with men as well. How about Joey on "Friends"? He's the male bimbo.

[–] fc31 (4561) 20 days ago

Also Sheldon in 'the big bang theory' and Barney in 'how I met your mother' are the examples of man child that have been very popular with women.

I don't think the appeal of innocence has anything to do with sex.

I think establishing such links and only with men is typical of feminism crossing into men hating and demonisation of men.

[–] OnanTheBarbarian (10334) 20 days ago

Yes, when Marilyn Monroe played the dumb blonde she wasn't a stand-in for a little girl. That's just lame. The wokesters are getting their memes mixed up. Sure, women were considered sex objects. I'm not saying men don't objectify. But the OP is babbling about pedophilia in an attempt to stir righteous outrage and apply it to women who are adults and can objectify men right back.