9 '90s Kids' Movies That Pass The Bechdel Test With Flying Colors
byPerelandra Beedles
Sharing childhood films
with my daughter has definitely been a parenting highlight. But, at the same time, it's a struggle. As a feminist, I know some of my favorite '90s flicks don’t always present
great examples of equality between the sexes. That being said, there are a few '90s kids' movies that pass the Bechdel test with flying colors.
I believe films are such a great way
to introduce ideas about equality to your children. It’s the cinematic equivalent of hiding
vegetables in spaghetti sauce. My
daughter thinks she is getting a serving of great entertainment, but I am secretly
teaching her how to crush the patriarchy.
This presents something of
a dilemma. Sure I want to share my
childhood favorites, but I’m also keen that I only show my child ‘90s
films that teach empowerment and equality which is where the Bechdel test comes
in so handy.
Devised by cartoonist
Alison Bechdel, the Bechdel Test
asks that a movie feature at least two female
characters in the film, that those characters speak with each other at some point, and that the conversation is not about a male character.
This hardly seems like a
huge ask, but its surprising how few films meet the Bechdel standards. What’s interesting is that the Bechdel scale
is nothing to do with the quality of a film.
It’s simply a framework to assess how much on screen time women get,
without bringing men into the equation. Determined
to find some films that kick against this silver screen sexism, I’ve revisited
my trusty DVD collection, and have identified nine feminist-friendly ‘90s movies
for kids. Slick on some juicy tube lip
gloss and let’s go.