‘Sex in the City’ Culture

Every week I look forward to reading iafrica’s Kabous Le Roux’s personal finance newsletter. This week it was particularly good, so I thought I would share it with you…

“According to a recent government study, Australia’s ranks of affluent, working single women are amongst the least satisfied in that country. In fact, only very poor Australians — those struggling to find food and shelter — were less satisfied.

If you wonder why those women might be so unhappy, do yourself a non-favour and go watch ‘Sex and the City’ (SATC), a show/movie that is no doubt extremely popular amongst that particular demographic.

I was coerced into watching SATC last weekend and, although I tried to keep an open mind, was shocked to the core by the most vulgar display of materialism I’ve ever seen. The ‘ultimate chick flick’ is less about female liberation than it is about labels, designer dresses and lots and lots of shoes.

In one scene Carrie Bradshaw’s tall, dark and handsome ATM machine gives her a huge, walk-in closet with bright lighting, a lush carpet and more shelves than you can possibly imagine. Carrie’s jaw drops. Mr. Big grins like Cheshire Cat. ‘Oh my God! You did me proud!’

She thinks she’s happy. Sure, her man might be an arrogant, egocentric prick but at least she’s got enough room (for now) for the gazillion pairs of shoes she owns.

Research by ‘Friends Provident’ indicates that the SATC generation — women between 25 and 40 — are more likely to have 30 pairs of shoes than a retirement plan. Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda would be proud don’t you think?

In an American study researchers found not only a correlation between self-esteem and materialism, but also a causal relationship where low self esteem increases materialism and materialism caused low self-esteem.

SATC is bad for women. If you can tell the difference between SATC and real life, you’re fine. But millions of viewers can’t. Those characters are miserable and their habits should not be emulated. There might have been a time when their frank discussion about sex could be appreciated, but now they’re nothing more than walking advertisements that create entirely unrealistic expectations for their fans.

Until next week…

Kabous le Roux
Personal Finance and Property Editor

“…don’t cry, buy a bag and then get over it…what I know is that I’m always happy when I walk out the store…’cause I know that my credit card will help me put out the flames…” — excerpt from ‘Labels or Love’, theme song of Sex and the City by Fergie.”

I personally haven’t seen the movie because I thought the series, while a refreshing take on a sitcom, was not to my liking. I agree with every word Kabous wrote on the subject…

What are your thoughts?