Feminist Frequency Radio

FFR 133: 9 to 5

Episode Summary

This week, we revisit the classic 1980 comedy about sexism in the workplace, 9 to 5. We discuss all the ways in which the film still rings true, the insight with which it depicts women trying to navigate multiple manipulative sexist behaviors of men in positions of power, and how it doesn't lay the blame at the feet of one bad boss but acknowledges that these are systemic issues that necessitate structural change. We also talk about what it's like to watch this film some 40 years after its release, when we seem to have made little progress with addressing these kinds of abuses and power imbalances. At the same time, the film now captures a bygone era of American employment before the days of the gig economy, when it was easier to find jobs that were just jobs and not things we brought home or that absorbed our entire identity. Also, we talk about the one scene that made Ronald Reagan mad.

Episode Notes

This week, we revisit the classic 1980 comedy about sexism in the workplace, 9 to 5. We discuss all the ways in which the film still rings true, the insight with which it depicts women trying to navigate multiple manipulative sexist behaviors of men in positions of power, and how it doesn't lay the blame at the feet of one bad boss but acknowledges that these are systemic issues that necessitate structural change. We also talk about what it's like to watch this film some 40 years after its release, when we seem to have made little progress with addressing these kinds of abuses and power imbalances. At the same time,  the film now captures a bygone era of American employment before the days of the gig economy, when it was easier to find jobs that were just jobs and not things we brought home or that absorbed our entire identity. Also, we talk about the one scene that made Ronald Reagan mad.

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