Bridgerton Season 3 highlights the sexist connection between romance and ‘financial security’ for women

One of the best lines BridgertonThe third installment comes from arguably one of the MVPs of this season, Portia Featherington (Polly Walker), the series’ answer to Kris Jenner.

“You know what’s romantic? Security,” she quips to her daughter Penelope (Nicola Coughlan), and doesn’t see fairy-tale romance as the ultimate goal. Bridgerton Though set in the Regency era, this line resonates throughout the season.

Penelope (aka Lady Whistledown) is one of the women in the Ton who has her own fortune outside of marriage or inheritance. She secretly lives off her friend, the modiste Geneviève Delacroix (Katherine Drysdale). Penelope works as a secret gossip columnist and earns more than the men of Bridgerton could ever imagine, yet she is forced to escape her family and “take a husband” to keep her income hidden.

Colin discovers Penelope’s true identity and expresses a degree of jealousy along with disdain for her reporting on him and his family. An aspiring writer himself, Colin cannot accept his fiancée’s publishing success, her way with words, and the fact that her work has enabled her to pay Cressida Cowper (Jessica Madsen) thousands of pounds in blackmail without his help. “What am I to you?” he asks over and over. He believes his value in a relationship is determined by his ability to take care of her financially and in terms of her social status through marriage. For Colin, if his future wife doesn’t need him – his money, his status, his obviously superior intelligence – then he doesn’t know what his role is in the relationship. And it is not her husband who helps Penelope regain the authority she worked so hard to build, but her female friends Genevieve and (eventually) Eloise Bridgerton (Claudia Jessie).

Why Colin actually Angry at Penelope Bridgerton?

Credit: Liam Daniel / Netflix

in Bridgerton In Season 3, Part 2, we see Colin resent Penelope’s writing and its impact on the real world, but at the same time, he is also seen to be threatened and jealous of her success. Her achievements as Whistledown, a position that Eloise sees as “almost as powerful as a queen” and can be seen as a powerful example for other upper-class women seeking security (financial or otherwise), Colin responds by imposing his own insecurities on Penelope. When Penelope suggests he use his earnings to repay Cressida, Colin, possessive and proud, tells Penelope “what happens is not up to you” and resolves to take the situation into his own hands, only making things worse by doing so. Colin eventually acknowledges his jealousy of Penelope’s power and congratulates her in the series finale, but initially we only see how Penelope’s secret identity and financial success are disempowering him.

What Colin fails to realize is that security in a relationship must be nurtured through mutual trust and support, and separately, by two individuals empowered to pursue their own success and dreams. Portia, symbolizing the repression of the Regency era, tells her daughter, “Women don’t have dreams. They have husbands.” This frustrating, anti-progressive dynamic is not unique to the Regency era, but unfortunately continues to this day.

Regency women weren’t the only ones who hid their successes.

Credit: Liam Daniel / Netflix

the study Women with “higher social status” have been found to be less successful in romantic relationships, and in heterosexual relationships, a woman’s professional, financial or social success can impact a man’s self-esteem and mental health, as well as his willingness to pursue his dreams, she says. Clinical Psychologist Dr. Sarah Bishop.

“According to one study, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology“When men perceive their partner as superior to them, their self-esteem can suffer significantly, which can lead to mental health issues such as depression,” she explains, “while women may underestimate their own achievements for fear of damaging their relationship, which research has highlighted. American Economic ReviewThis can lead to careers stagnating and not reaching their potential.”

The temptation for women to hide their achievements and not seek financial security is frightening given the huge disadvantages we suffer, on top of tackling the gender pay gap and cost of living crisis.

Credit: Liam Daniel / Netflix

in BridgertonIn Britain, women are punished not just for hiding but for even seeking independent assets. Cressida Cowper’s character arc this season is a classic example of a woman resorting to pragmatic means to achieve financial security, only to be punished for it. After her father tells her she will lose her allowance if she doesn’t find a husband, she resorts to sneaky, competitive tactics to win over Lord Debling (Sam Phillips), culminating in him forcing her into an engagement to a man three times her age. Desperately searching for a way out, and with plans to leave the House of Lords and go to Europe, she poses as Lady Whistledown and resorts to blackmail to generate the wealth she needs to secure her freedom.

She failed, of course, but was criticized and shunned for trying. Perhaps the only difference between Penelope and Cressida is that Penelope succeeded in finding the economic means and social status; Cressida was unable to do so and was subsequently ostracized from society, no longer considered a potential marriage partner by upper-class men. Do men, both historically and today, find themselves socially isolated and rejected in the same way for pursuing economic security?

The pressure to hide or provide success can hurt both parties in a relationship.

Credit: Liam Daniel / Netflix

in Bridgerton In the storyline and in modern times, this insecurity, jealousy, and demand from men to be “needed” in relationships, with women subsequently turning to practical needs and being shunned or belittled for their ambition and success, “reflects deeper social inequalities and norms that affect women’s opportunities and choices,” she said. Counselling Psychologist Rina Bajaj, Ph.D..

She added that women might “downplay or sacrifice their career ambitions in order to maintain relationship harmony,” just as Penelope was tempted to do in the show, except we’re living in 2024, not the 1800s.

“The fear of outperforming their male partners may lead women to settle for less demanding roles or not ask for promotions.”

“Fear of outperforming their male partners may lead women to settle for less demanding roles or not aspire for promotions,” Bajaj explains. “These self-limiting behaviors may hinder women’s professional growth and contribute to perpetuating societal patterns of gender inequality in the workplace.”

These sexist dynamics “often stem from social conditioning and personal insecurities,” says Bishop. Rajaji adds that men can feel threatened when comparing themselves to their partners, “and this response is heightened in a society where success is often measured in terms of money and career achievements.” Fear of rejection and abandonment can also be tied to self-worth. Deep social pressure on men to provide childcare.

Credit: Liam Daniel / Netflix

Essentially, these dynamics are indicative of deep-rooted social norms that are sexist, patriarchal, and unhelpful to anyone or their relationships: A man’s worth is far greater than his ability to provide, and a woman’s worth is far greater than her ability to limit herself in response to anything that might threaten her partner’s social and economic status.

of course, BridgertonThe show’s portrayal of this issue focuses specifically on heterosexual relationship dynamics, despite hinting at queer storylines in the upcoming season. While Bishop points out that queer couples may be able to navigate these dynamics more fluidly because they are less bound by traditional gender norms, Bajaj argues that these relationships “do not necessarily align with traditional gender roles, but may also face issues related to power relations.” However, these issues may still stem from income disparities, or differences in social status and expectations.

“Issues of power and inequality may manifest differently compared to heterosexual relationships, but still require attention and resolution,” she says. “As in heterosexual relationships, it’s important to foster equality and mutual respect. Partners should understand each other’s experiences and strive to support each other’s personal and professional goals.”

What is the solution?

Credit: Liam Daniel / Netflix

So how can we counter these stereotypes and norms that reinforce sexist attitudes towards women’s pursuit of their own financial security and success?

“Challenging traditional gender roles and promoting equality is key to reducing these dynamics in heterosexual relationships,” Bajaj says. “Both partners need to support each other’s careers and personal aspirations. This includes celebrating achievements, offering emotional support when challenges arise, and making joint decisions that take both of your careers into consideration.”

She added that by actively rejecting stereotypes about what men and women “should” do in life and relationships, and embracing a “more flexible approach”, we can create more equal relationships.

Giving partners space to “maintain their individual identities” is also essential. Bridgerton As a couple, they find some kind of resolution, with Colin supporting Penelope’s decision to leave her role as a columnist and her decision to write anonymously, and starting a family together. Bajaj advises that “engaging in personally satisfying activities” can foster “a balanced interdependence that supports each other while also nurturing personal growth.”

The depiction of these problematic relationships on popular television shows not only proves that these attitudes are widespread, but also gives viewers an opportunity to recognise whether they are experiencing similar issues in their own relationships.

“Seeing characters confront and overcome gender inequality can inspire viewers to take action in their own relationships and advocate for social change — it can also inspire individuals to challenge stereotypes and strive for more equitable partnerships,” Bajaj said.

Essentially, Portia Featherington was right: security in a relationship is undoubtedly romantic, but that security must be mutual, so that women are free to pursue their passions and make as much money as they see fit, without worrying about the success or failure of the relationship or their partner’s self-worth.

In doing so, they should feel emotionally supported, which is likely BridgertonIn this day and age, there can be no security, balance, or healthy foundation in relationships without acknowledging each other’s powers, strengths, and successes.

Perhaps this latest chapter and the challenges faced by Colin and Penelope will inspire more women to go the extra mile in themselves, their careers and their relationships.

“meanwhile Bridgerton “Though the show is set in the past, it celebrates progress by featuring characters who challenge societal norms and strive for equality,” Rajaji says, “This inspires hope and optimism about the possibilities for positive change in relationships.”

For many BridgertonMashable has your back.