Millions tuned into “The Bachelor” last Monday night to watch the charming farmer from Iowa, Chris Soules, or "Prince Farming" as the show lovingly called him, fall in love.
The finale did end in a proposal, but that isn’t what anyone is talking about. The event that caused the biggest rise, and that I personally was most curious about, was who would be "The Bachelorette" next season?
The show’s host, Chris Harrison, announced that there would in fact be two bachelorettes. Britt AND Kaitlyn, two of the 29 women that Chris deemed unworthy of being his wife. When Harrison made his big announcement, the entire studio audience had huge applause before it trailed off in confusion. To no one's surprise, women across the nation weren’t happy, and they took to social media to voice their opinion.
If you look at the long stream of #twobachelorettes reaction tweets, women are angry, claiming this new change is entirely misogynistic. Having 25 men plainly choose which woman they like the best? Basing most of their decision off of looks and trivial occurrences during their first meeting? Embarrassing the women by only giving one of them the rose? Making the women compete for attention and possibly compete to stay and remain the bachelorette? The outrage!
But, wait! Before we start boycotting The Bachelorette and polishing our pitchforks to go storm ABC Studios, let’s consider the last season of "The Bachelor," which showcased our beloved Prince Farming. Chris Soules had 30 women worshipping at his feet, and got to dwindle down the pickings every week until he ultimately found his “soul mate.”
On the first night, numerous women were sent home after only being able to meet Chris one time, if that. It is safe to say our Iowan farmer picked a few of them off of looks. Chris ruled that show, stole kisses from, according to Chris Harrison in a final episode, more women than any other bachelor. He took multiple women to the coveted “Fantasy Suite” to stay with him overnight, all three of the last remaining women actually, how romantic.
Let’s not forget that one of the first group dates showcased the women in bikinis, all looking lean and straight out of a magazine, racing on tractors. Whoever won got to spend one on one time with Chris.
Truthfully, this uproar has resulted from women believing the men picking between two women is making the show “all about the guys,” according to an article on ELLE. However, as the Washington Post pointed out, this isn’t the first time two suitors were presented.
“Way back in 2004 when ratings faltered, the show cast two bachelors for Season 6. The 25 women chose between Byron Velvick and Jay Overbye in the season premiere, giving a rose to the man they preferred,” Washington Post said. But no one seems to remember that instance now.
Some women have said it is unfair, because this was their chance to see the men run around shirtless, vying for the bachelorette's attention. As fun as that is, objectifying men as a result of them objectifying women will result in a vicious cycle that will never result in the equality these women seem to be demanding.
Two bachelorettes is not ideal, and is in fact misogynistic. However, it is no more misogynistic than the entire show is. Chris Soules chose between 30 women, picking and choosing his way through an entire season. 25 men choosing between two women? It will be heartbreaking to watch the bachelorettes be degraded and humiliated, but I can’t imagine they will feel much worse than the 29 women Chris sent home. Rejection is rejection, and, lets face it, misogyny is misogyny, no matter what twist the producers throw in.
There is one guarantee we have though, millions will still be tuned in to view their guilty pleasure, and quite possibly pick a favorite bachelorette, right along with the men.
Reach the columnist at dpharias@asu.edu or follow @Dpharias on Twitter.
Editor’s note: The opinions presented in this column are the author’s and do not imply any endorsement from The State Press or its editors.
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