Ben Carter
The 1984 film Sixteen Candles, starring Molly Ringwald, has been criticised for its treatment of women, with some viewers arguing that it contains a date rape scene and perpetuates rape culture. In the scene, Jake Ryan, the male lead, jokes about violating his passed-out girlfriend Caroline and sends her off to be raped by another character. The film also includes sexual harassment, the objectification of women, and the use of racist and homophobic slurs. While some viewers noticed these issues when they rewatched the film as adults, others still consider it a beloved teen comedy.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Encouragement of date rape | Jake Ryan, the romantic lead, jokes about violating his passed-out girlfriend Caroline and sends her off to be raped by a boy she doesn't know |
| Objectification of women | Jake Ryan muses that Sam "isn't ugly" and notes that "it's kind of cool, the way she's always looking at me" |
| Racism | Sam's dad calls the Ryszczyks the "rice chex", Randy asks Sam if she wants "a black guy", the character of Long Duk Dong is a walking stereotype who's treated terribly |
| Homophobia | Sam calls Ted a gay slur, Ted hurls another gay slur at his friends |
| Sexual harassment | Ted invades Sam's personal space, ponders about trying to put together a relationship with her, has a friend scope her out with goggles, and calls her "fully aged sophomore meat" |
| Sexual humiliation | Samantha’s underwear is shown to a group of freshmen who pay a dollar for the privilege |
| Misogyny | Jake Ryan is allowed to be callous to his longtime girlfriend Caroline without losing his dream boy status because she is deemed to be "a little bit slutty" |
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What You'll Learn
The romanticisation of Jake Ryan
The character Jake Ryan, played by Michael Schoeffling, in the 1984 film Sixteen Candles has been described as the "ideal dream boy of every teenage girl's deepest fantasies". In the film, Jake is in a relationship with Caroline, who is portrayed as a "drunk and unconscious girl" who is passed from one boy to another and then raped. Despite this, Jake is portrayed as the romantic hero of the film, and his treatment of Caroline is used as a shortcut to prove his love for the film's female protagonist, Sam. This characterisation is an example of the film's problematic romanticisation of Jake Ryan, as it perpetuates the idea that degrading one woman can exalt another.
In the film, Jake is portrayed as the perfect boyfriend, and his popularity and good looks are paired with sensitivity and vulnerability. This combination embodies the ultimate high school fantasy, where the most desirable boy in school pursues the female protagonist without her having to make any effort. This fantasy is further reinforced by the way Jake treats Caroline, his girlfriend. Jake is callous towards Caroline, referring to her as a drunk ass girlfriend and joking that he could violate her. This treatment of Caroline is used to portray Jake as even more perfect in contrast, as it shows his deep and abiding love for Sam.
However, the romanticisation of Jake Ryan is problematic as it perpetuates harmful stereotypes and normalises abusive behaviour. The film portrays Jake's treatment of Caroline as acceptable, and even funny, which promotes the idea that degrading women is acceptable as long as it is done in the name of love. Additionally, the film's portrayal of Jake as nervous and vulnerable can be seen as romanticising emotional immaturity and insecurity.
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The degradation of Caroline
Caroline, the girlfriend of romantic hero Jake Ryan, is introduced in Sixteen Candles as a drunk and unconscious girl who is passed from one boy to another and then raped. This comedic rape subplot is disturbing, to say the least, and has been criticised for its blatant normalisation of rape culture.
Caroline is degraded by her boyfriend, Jake, who casually despises her and treats her as an object to be passed around. In the film, Jake is quoted as saying, "She doesn't know shit about love... The only thing she cares about is partying." He further devalues her by saying, "I have Caroline passed out in the bed upstairs," as if her unconscious state is a mere afterthought.
The character of Caroline is reduced to a mere plot device, a drunk and unconscious girl who is easily disposable and forgettable. Her degradation is used to further the narrative of Jake and Sam's love story, with little regard for the implications of normalising rape culture and the objectification of women.
The treatment of Caroline's character in Sixteen Candles is a stark reminder of the problematic nature of many films from the 1980s that have not aged well. While the film may have been a product of its time, it is important to recognise and criticise these instances of degradation and objectification to prevent their recurrence in modern media.
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The objectification of women
The 1984 film Sixteen Candles has been criticised for its treatment of women, with some arguing that it objectifies and degrades them. The film includes a subplot in which Jake Ryan, the male lead, offers his drunk and unconscious girlfriend Caroline to another boy, implying that the boy can violate or rape her. This scene has been described as "appalling" and "cringe-worthy", particularly in the context of the #MeToo era. The film also includes sexual harassment, with the character Ted invading Sam's personal space and making inappropriate comments despite her clear disinterest. Additionally, Sixteen Candles has been criticised for its portrayal of racist and homophobic stereotypes and slurs.
The treatment of women in Sixteen Candles reflects the broader cultural context of the 1980s, which has been characterised as a decade of "rape culture". Films from this era often depicted rape and sexual assault as humorous or harmless, particularly if the perpetrators were acquainted with the victim. The objectification and degradation of women in Sixteen Candles have been criticised as problematic and unacceptable, particularly when viewed through a modern lens.
While Sixteen Candles has been beloved by fans for its sweet and romantic story, it is important to recognise that it contains elements of misogyny, racism, and homophobia. The objectification of women in the film contributes to a broader cultural narrative that demeans and diminishes women, reducing them to objects of male desire rather than fully realised human beings. While societal attitudes have evolved since the film's release, it is important to critically engage with media and challenge narratives that perpetuate harmful stereotypes and behaviours.
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The normalisation of sexual harassment
The 1984 film Sixteen Candles has been criticised for its normalisation of sexual harassment and perpetuation of rape culture. The film, directed by John Hughes, centres on a high school love story and has been celebrated for its sweet and romantic tone. However, it includes a disturbing comedic rape subplot in which the male lead, Jake Ryan, offers his drunk and unconscious girlfriend, Caroline, to another boy, implying that he can "violate" her. This scene, which has been described as "appalling" and "cringe-worthy", reflects a disturbing trend in 1980s films that treated rape as harmless hijinks or used it as a plot device for comedic effect.
In the film, Jake's character is portrayed as the ideal dream boy, and his casual degradation of Caroline is positioned as a shortcut to winning over the female lead, Sam. This dynamic perpetuates a harmful narrative in which the degradation of one woman is used to exalt another. The film also includes a relentless campaign of sexual harassment by another male character, Ted, towards Sam. Ted invades Sam's personal space, disregards her clear expressions of disinterest, and makes bets about sexual acts with her, all of which are portrayed as normal and even humorous.
Sixteen Candles is not an isolated example from its time. Other films from the 1980s, such as Revenge of the Nerds and Police Academy, have been criticised for their rampant normalisation of rape culture and non-consensual sexual acts as comedic devices. The persistence of these themes in popular media contributes to a broader cultural narrative that minimises the severity of sexual harassment and assault.
While some might argue that these films are products of their time and that societal norms have changed, it is essential to recognise the damaging impact of normalising sexual harassment and assault through entertainment. The portrayal of these acts as harmless or comedic can shape viewers' perceptions and contribute to a culture that excuses or justifies such behaviours. This normalisation can also influence how victims perceive their experiences, potentially discouraging reporting and perpetuating a cycle of silence and impunity.
Recognising and addressing the problematic elements in films like Sixteen Candles is crucial for fostering a cultural shift towards the zero-tolerance treatment of sexual harassment and assault. While some aspects of media consumption have improved, with audiences gravitating towards more positive depictions of relationships, it is essential to remain vigilant in challenging and criticising harmful tropes and narratives that persist.
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The use of racist stereotypes
The 1984 film Sixteen Candles has been criticised for its use of racist stereotypes, jokes, and characters. Early on in the film, Sam's dad refers to the Ryszczyks family as "rice chex", poking fun at their foreign-sounding name. Sam's mother admonishes him, but later in the film, she repeats the same racist "joke". Randy also asks Sam if she wants "a black guy" when she is referring to a car.
The character of Long Duk Dong has been described as the "worst, most blatant racism in the film". The name itself is offensive, and the character is a walking stereotype who is treated terribly. A gong sounds every time his name is said, and Mike says that they will have to "burn the sheets and mattresses after he leaves". Mike also complains that he has to "sleep under some Chinaman named after a duck's dork".
The film also includes a dose of homophobia in the form of slurs. Sam calls Ted a gay slur while they are on the bus, and later, at the party at Jake's house, Ted hurls another gay slur at his friends. In both cases, the language is used to intentionally feminize people as an insult.
Sixteen Candles is not the only film from the 1980s to face criticism for its use of racist stereotypes and jokes. Other films from the era, such as Revenge of the Nerds and Police Academy, have also been called out for their problematic content. However, as one commentator pointed out, the fact that these films are products of their time does not excuse their racism and sexism.
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Frequently asked questions
Sixteen Candles is a 1984 teen romantic comedy starring Molly Ringwald and Michael Schoeffling.
In the film, Jake Ryan, the male lead, jokes about letting his friend violate his drunk and unconscious girlfriend Caroline.
The film also includes racism, homophobia, misogyny, and sexual harassment.
Ringwald has acknowledged that some scenes in the film are problematic and that what was acceptable then is not acceptable now.
