Postfeminism and female friendship : a content analysis of Parks and recreation and Girls

Abstract

This thesis explores how two popular TV shows, Girls and Parks and Recreation, portray and talk about female friendship, particularly as it relates to the notion of the postfeminist girlfriend as proposed by Alison Winch. Utilizing a combination of content analysis and critical discourse analysis, it explores how these shows draw on discourses of feminism and postfeminism. It finds that Girls more than Parks and Recreation relies on discourses of postfeminism and replicates behaviors of the postfeminist girlfriend. It finds that both shows struggle to address issues of class difference and are guilty of post-race sentiments. Finally, it finds that Parks and Rec, more than Girls, reiterates feminist sentiments. Parks gives an overall feminist sentiment, while Girls walks the line between feminism and postfeminism.