Carrie Bradshaw is no role model

It concerns me that women, especially young ladies think of Sex and the City’s leading lady as someone to aspire to.The media may not have helped either but perhaps it’s not their job to educate, just report on findings and they have reported a great deal about women who think that being Carrie is the way to go.I think people forget Sex and the City is meant to be a comedy; after all I first stumbled across the iconic programme after the series had ended on one of the comedy repeat channels. Some of my younger girlfriends (and all the gays) had reported on it but I refused to watch any programme that was about women bemoaning the lack of men in their lives. Then I realised it was a comedy.If taken even slightly seriously, of the four, Miss Bradshaw is surely the worst role model. The other three, like the rest of us have their hang-ups but are not shopaholics, broke or spend their life chasing a wealthy, older, unavailable and probably unsuitable man. (Mr Big)Miranda with the only steady corporate job is much more of a fitting role model although it’s only in comedy land that such a character seems to be on long lunches daily and yet complains at how long her working hours are. I do like her and yes partly because I can identify with her the most but also because she’s her own person. Whilst she likes men she would quite like just the one in the long-term, if possible. We all have our irritating habits and Miranda is not faultless (stop shouting!) but at least it doesn’t matter to her how much her date earns.Samantha is the character with the best lines and therefore the best SATC girl. Period.I’m not suggesting that every woman should be completely promiscuous and sexually non- committal, although I for one won’t judge you for ‘putting it out there’. Samantha is successful, is good at her job and loves it, lives life to the full and is independent in the real sense – you know all those good, inspiring things. Independence doesn’t just mean in the financial sense, Samantha is emotionally independent and can make her own decisions. When have you ever heard her ask for advice?And before you even think it, yes I know we all need emotional support and advice from time to time but we do know our own mind a little more by our 40s.We forgive Samantha her indulgences, long lunches and late night conquests because we believe she has earned it. And again, because she has the best lines.And then there’s the plausible, traditional Charlotte who believes a man will not settle down with a successful woman and whats more, there’s nothing wrong with a man paying for everything. We forgive her too because firstly, she truly believes in her choices and because she doesn’t want to be a lady what lunches. Charlotte is happy to run a home and support her man in whatever he needs emotionally or practically. Mother Nature willing, Charlotte will pop out some sprogettes too.Carrie on the other hand works one day a week and spends her days ‘wondering’ whilst managing to afford a $400 shoe habit as well as the long lunches, late nights etc. Reminder; this is Comedy Land! I know how much cocktails cost in New York and I tell you, no average salaried person can meet the expense of that life – and get a taxi home every night.The motivation that prompted this piece is seeing the episode when Carrie shrieks when it rains. Why spoil a perfectly nice story featuring my favourite museum, the Guggenheim with screaming just because it starts raining? It’s like she has never seen the wet stuff falling from the sky before.Nonetheless, those of you who watch the series, either as bona fide hardcore fans or for the odd moments of escapism like me, probably have a little bit of each of the characters in us. I for one recognise the girlieness in Carrie and when she jumps for joy at the tiniest thing but have more in common with the others. I even like Charlotte’s fondness for pink and hair bands.By the time they got round to making the films, the programme had gone from being a witty look at a fantasy Manhattan life (come on, let’s not pretend here) to either an unfunny comedy or a drama, depending on your view point.But yes, I am a fan of the series and love chuckling at repeats on late night TV whenever I get the chance. The great thing about watching it on TV is that it’s only in 20 minutes bursts, give or take and I can mute the cringe-worthy bits, or go and make a drink, or carry on with whatever I was doing. I find they don’t like me doing that in the cinema so the film is a no go.Do please tell me what happens though.