Food for Thought

Consumption as a Coping Mechanism

Sex and The City perpetuates the hegemonic feminine notion that women receive pleasure through the consumption of clothing, shoes, and food. Throughout the television series, the four female characters utilize consumption as a means to cope with their daily hardships, therefore perpetuating the stereotypical belief that women need an outlet to express their emotions. In turn, the female characters’ overconsumption illustrates their lack of empowerment and inner strength. Furthermore, the fact that the women are constantly discussing their sorrows and anxieties illustrates an inherent feminine weakness.

The way in which these women rely on consumption is seen through the show’s format. In true Sex and The City fashion, a climatic moment that occurs between a main character and a man is immediately followed by a shot of the four main characters discussing this “tragic” event over the consumption of food or alcohol. This use of a direct cut leaves no doubt that there is an inherent connection between the event and the discussion, allowing the viewer to pick up on what might otherwise be a subtle message. It is important to note that the majority of the females’ discourse occurs in a restaurant or club/bar setting, rather than in one of the character’s apartments. This illustrates the female characters’ obsession with consumption. Consumption of food or drinks gives the body pleasures and fulfillment that it may have lost due to distasteful experiences (Gennaro). In other words, by gossiping with friends while consuming, the women of Sex and the City are able to cope with their stress while bonding with their true companions.

In the episode “Take Me Out to the Ball Game,” Carrie experiences her first run-in with her ex-boyfriend, Mr. Big, while on a date with an attractive New York Yankee baseball player. This unexpected interaction causes Carrie to run away from her date in tears and to call Miranda to ask her if she could immediately meet at “their place.” This scene directly transitions to a shot of Carrie and Miranda sitting at a diner, eating french fries and discussing the difficulties of getting over an ex-boyfriend. In pairing emotional turmoil with eating, this scene frames this particular consumption as a manner of coping with heartache. As a result, the four main characters’ reliance on consumption undermines the empowered female identity that at first glance they may appear to embody. The women illustrate that they are not strong enough to fight their battles alone, and thus they need the act of consumption to aid them in the coping process. Excessive consumption also demonstrates the woman’s lack of control in her life, which perpetuates the hegemonic belief that women are inherently powerless.To make matters worse, the fact that their discussions while consuming are male-dominated illustrates that men have a significant presence over their lives. The deadly combination of the characters’ need to consume and their need to discuss men reinforces the gender hegemonic role of the emotional, dependent female.