[adamhenderson]

Yes! This is the sort of thing I signed up for! I love engaging in philosophical discussion. Sorry I couldn't post sooner, but I've been busy with work and the like.

Anyway, I think you all raise some interesting points regarding gender issues in society and media. I guess the biggest point I would raise right now is the lack of true female voices in cinema/ fiction (especially in the horror genre).

Discussions of representations of women in cinema are fraught with peril, and slasher films are a prime example. Slashers may be seen by some people as 'reaction[s] against feminism' (as metternich pointed out), but others might claim that they are indeed pro-feminist (its usually always a woman who survives and men who die by the end credits, as Kandarian Demon pointed out). Both opinions hinge on the crucial 'p' word: perspective. Both perspectives have significant evidence to support them.

And this brings me back to my earlier point: The dominant horror film makers are men. This may be wishful thinking (due to inherent sexism within society), but I think there need to be more female horror film-makers/ novelists. Who can better give a female perspective than females themselves?

Does anyone know of any female horror writers that are popular (I can think of only Anne Rice)?