Pull Your Pants Down for Feminism!

In an age where photoshop rules supreme and advertisements point out all of a woman’s “flaws”, a show like NBC’s Parks and Recreation comes as a breath of fresh air; this is not just because it is side-splitting funny, but because it takes place in a reality where feminism and powerful women are accepted as the norm.

The deputy director of the Parks and Recreation department in the fictional town of Pawnee, Indiana, Leslie Knope is an ambitious woman in power constantly working hard for those she loves and, most importantly, for herself. Leslie has high hopes for her career (President of the United States) and will do anything to protect her pristine reputation, even pull her pants down on Pawnee Today to dispel a sex scandal rumor. Leslie shows her feminism through her strong character as she takes on the political world, but she also inspires feminism within her entire office.

The ensemble of women is strong, each in her own way. Donna Meagle, the sassy office manager of the Parks and Recreation Department, always displays self-confidence. She has a materialistic streak—her beloved Benz, anyone?—but everything she owns, she has worked for herself. Donna is a self-made business woman with an active, unapologetic sex life and she is unashamed of what she has to offer.

Unlike Donna, the audience has been able to watch April Ludgate transform from an apathetic girl into a strong young woman (though let’s be honest, she’s still pretty apathetic). In the earlier seasons, April engages in activities that belittle her as a woman, such as playing dumb in an attempt to win the cash prize for a beauty pageant or being a part of an unhealthy relationship (“this is my boyfriend Derek and Derek’s boyfriend Ben”). In season two’s episode “Galentine’s Day” April is finally able to let go of her indifferent façade and start becoming her own woman, putting her own desires above what is expected of her.

Ann Perkins forgoes a similar journey to that of April. Ann proves herself as a strong, self-possessed woman after she takes a break from relationships (from Andy to Mark to Chris). When busy nurse Ann is able to take time and spend it on herself, she is able to loosen up and become her own whole person, not just the second half of a couple’s name.

The strength of the women of Pawnee does not go unnoticed by the men. In fact, it is greatly accepted and even encouraged. Mustachioed man’s man and Head of the Parks Department, Ron Swanson has an affinity for dark haired, powerful women; he has even been known to watch a surprisingly large amount of WNBA games. Though he does poke fun at Leslie on occasion, he holds her and the other members of the Parks Department (and Ann) in high esteem, respecting each of them as the powerful women they are. Even Andy Dwyer (or is it Andy Radical?), in all his wisdom, decides to take a women’s studies class at the local college.

Though it constantly flies under the radar, Parks and Recreation has the uncanny ability to become funnier every week while instilling a positive message about women empowerment. I’ll pull my pants down to that.