Mermaids are for Big Girls too. Tasha's Life Style Talk. January 2023.

Mermaids have long been a symbol of femininity and grace, with their fish tails & scales with a lovely human upper half and flowing hair  has been seen in art and literature for centuries.  Recently  mermaids have taken on a greater significance as a symbol of feminism and female empowerment

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But Why?

One of the reasons for this is the way that mermaids have traditionally been portrayed. In many stories and legends, mermaids are depicted as seductive and alluring creatures who use their beauty to ensnare men or captured and made to their male . This stereotype is problematic, as it reinforces the idea that a woman's worth is based on her appearance and her ability to attract men. By reclaiming the mermaid as a feminist symbol, women can challenge this damaging narrative and assert their own independence and agency.

Another reason for the mermaid's significance in feminism is the way that it challenges traditional gender roles. In many societies, there is a strict divide between what is considered "masculine" and "feminine," with certain activities and characteristics being assigned to one gender or the other. The mermaid, with its combination of a fish tail and a human upper body, blurs these lines and challenges the idea that certain traits are exclusively male or female. By embracing the mermaid as a symbol, women can reject these limiting gender roles and embrace their own unique identities.

You know, my Suffragette City

In addition to its symbolic significance, the mermaid has also played a practical role in the feminist movement. In the early 20th century, the suffrage movement used the mermaid as a symbol of their struggle for the right to vote. Suffragists often used the image of a mermaid breaking free from chains to represent their desire for freedom and independence. This use of the mermaid as a powerful symbol of resistance and liberation is still relevant today, as women continue to fight for equal rights and opportunities.

So what?

What does this mean to us as dolls?  Well I have seen members here dress their dolls a mermaids and roll play them as slaves/captives or like genies they found and the dolls is forever grateful for being free but held captive by a benevolent master.  This plays to that patriarchal stereo type of mermaids, and women in general existing for the pleasure of men or those who are independent are evil like witches.   In general, both life sized dolls and mermaids are often seen as objects that are created and portrayed in a way that caters to the male gaze, which refers to the way that media and culture tend to depict women and other objects in a way that is meant to appeal to the perceived desires of men. Both dolls and mermaids are often depicted in a sexualized or objectified way that reduces them to objects of desire rather than fully realized characters or individuals.  Some of us work hard to dispel that stigma depictions of dolls and mermaids, our goal is to try and increase the range of representations of us in different media. It HAS to start some where. Even if it is a petite brunette in Jersey shouting on the street corner or under water.

Vampires are SOOOO Yesterday.

At first glance, the mermaid movement has a girl-power element that True Blood, The Vampire Diaries, and especially the Twilight franchises do not have. Even The Little Mermaid's Ariel, though not exactly a feminist, shows some autonomy by choosing to leave her patriarchal world  and give up her voice.   Mermaids are much more lively characters than vampires or zombies: For one thing, she isn't dead, and she has a lovely tail that shines in the sunlight. She's female, and she's usually portrayed as super hot — but she might kill you if you get too close!  Don't get me wrong: I LOOOVED True Blood, but not the other vampire series. Mermaids, are half human, can swim, love, and laugh, as well as breathe underwater! They are not walking dead shells of people who rely on blood and brains to survive. YIKES! LOL. That is what I think makes them better positive feminine icons.

I am (half) Woman!

Mermaids enable women to relate with something essential and powerful.  Mermaids offer women a variety of interpretive options based on their vicarious needs: Mermaids can be read as sexy or innocent, vulnerable or terrifying, approachable or inaccessible  but above all beautiful queens of the sea.

Overall, the mermaid is a powerful symbol of feminism and female empowerment. By challenging traditional gender roles and stereotypes, and serving as a symbol of resistance and liberation, the mermaid inspires women to embrace their own strength and independence.