It doesn't happen to me as often as that, but every time it does, it cuts like a blade. *hugs* You are not doing it wrong. You're doing it how you are.
*hugs back* Thanks. Luckily, like Buffy, I am emotionally shutdown--so I tend to react to these confrontations with anger and more emotional distancing. It generally has the exact opposite effect that the criticizer wanted. *smirk* So... that'll teach 'em.
But, I think that you make a valid point about Buffy and mental health or "neurotypicalness" or whatever in season 7. And, even taking it further--how the whole questioning a woman's right to name her own emotional state is ... disturbing. She SAYS she loves him. She says it with words. She says it with deeds. She says it (maybe most potently) with looks and touches. What exactly is it that gives viewer the right to claim that they know Buffy's feelings better than she does?
This is taking it WAY too far--but that has never stopped me before, so I'm going to sally forth-- but in a way, it reminds me of the institutionalizing of women with hysteria. Because when a woman doesn't express herself the way that she's supposed to, clearly there is something terribly, terribly wrong with her. She's sad? Must be a nutjob. She isn't affectionate? Must be incapable of love.
I really wish people would stop mandating other people's behavior and emotions. It just... it exhausts me.
no subject
*hugs back* Thanks. Luckily, like Buffy, I am emotionally shutdown--so I tend to react to these confrontations with anger and more emotional distancing. It generally has the exact opposite effect that the criticizer wanted. *smirk* So... that'll teach 'em.
But, I think that you make a valid point about Buffy and mental health or "neurotypicalness" or whatever in season 7. And, even taking it further--how the whole questioning a woman's right to name her own emotional state is ... disturbing. She SAYS she loves him. She says it with words. She says it with deeds. She says it (maybe most potently) with looks and touches. What exactly is it that gives viewer the right to claim that they know Buffy's feelings better than she does?
This is taking it WAY too far--but that has never stopped me before, so I'm going to sally forth-- but in a way, it reminds me of the institutionalizing of women with hysteria. Because when a woman doesn't express herself the way that she's supposed to, clearly there is something terribly, terribly wrong with her. She's sad? Must be a nutjob. She isn't affectionate? Must be incapable of love.
I really wish people would stop mandating other people's behavior and emotions. It just... it exhausts me.