The "Born Sexy Yesterday" trope refers to a science fiction convention where a female character, often an android, alien, or magical being, is portrayed as extremely naive, inexperienced, and innocent, yet is also depicted as a fully formed, mature, and sexualized woman. This character is often the love interest of a male hero, who is typically a straight, red-blooded man who is wise and experienced beyond his years. The trope is problematic as it perpetuates a power imbalance between the male and female characters, with the male hero often teaching the female character about sex and relationships. This dynamic is rooted in a deep-seated male insecurity around sex and sexuality, and is a fantasy based on fear of women who are men's equals in sexual experience and romantic history. The trope has been a fixture of classic Hollywood science fiction films since the beginning of the genre and can be seen in various forms of media, including anime and TV shows.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. The "Born Sexy Yesterday" trope is a science fiction convention that features a female character who is highly skilled but naive and inexperienced.
2. The character is often portrayed as a child in a mature woman's body.
3. The trope is commonly used in science fiction films and television shows.
4. The character is often depicted as being unaware of her own sex appeal and is frequently objectified by the male characters.
5. The trope is often used to create a power imbalance between the male and female characters, with the male character being more experienced and knowledgeable.
6. The trope is rooted in a deep-seated male insecurity around sex and sexuality.
7. The character is often framed as pure and innocent, with no past lovers or previous sexual experiences.
8. The male hero of the story often avoids being compared to other men by being the first and only man in the female character's life.
9. The trope is a male fantasy about escaping the humiliation of rejection.
10. The reality is that life experience is a plus in relationships, and more media is needed to reflect this.
11. The trope is not limited to science fiction and has been used in other genres, including comedy.
12. The trope has been used in various forms of media, including films, television shows, and anime.
13. The character of Korra from Tron Legacy is an example of the "Born Sexy Yesterday" trope.
14. The character of Leeloo from The Fifth Element is another example of the trope.
15. The trope has been used in classic Hollywood science fiction films since the beginning of the genre.
16. The trope is often associated with the "Manic Pixie Dream Girl" trope.
17. The character of Nova from the original Planet of the Apes is an example of the trope.
18. The character of Seven of Nine from Star Trek: Voyager is an example of the trope, although her character development eventually transcends the constraints of the trope.
19. The trope is not limited to female characters, but is often associated with them.
20. The trope is connected to masculinity and is rooted in a deep-seated male insecurity around sex and sexuality.