Sex and the City, despite being a show that kickstarted in the late 90s, is a piece of feminist entertainment that is relevant to the modern age. 

These days, the obsession with youth and beauty is blasted across social media and entertainment outlets. The word ‘feminism’ is viewed sourly by some; a concept that has been stolen and weaponized to be used against free, sexually liberal women in modern society. 

As a young woman making my way through the world, I’ve found it to be a struggle to confidently explore my sexuality and manage my female friendships with the pressure of stigmas society has placed on women. Only the support of female friendships and the empowering messages I’ve received from other independent, successful women have made me feel confident in who I am. That’s why my decision to watch Sex and the City for the first time– at 21 years of age– felt somewhat fated.

A few weeks ago, I returned to school after a long winter break spent at home. I was sitting around my living room talking to my roommates when I suddenly felt eager to start a new show– specifically something that would make me feel a little more myself. I’d been in a complicated situation during the first weeks of 2024 and was feeling deflated at the time.

The three of us were curled up on the couch, scrolling through several entertainment platforms before I found Sex and the City on MAX. I’d watched The Carrie Diaries on Netflix in high school– a prequel to the show, starring Anna Sophia Robb– but I’d never watched the original. As soon as we started the first episode, I was sucked into the storyline.

The show follows a 32-year-old, unmarried writer named Carrie Bradshaw who writes a column for Vogue magazine called ‘Sex and the City’ in which she writes about the sex and love lives of her and her friends. The main focus of this show is Carrie’s friend group, consisting of four established, single women in their 30s.

I was initially surprised by this, given their group had all the characteristics that society thought women shouldn’t have. These women were confident in themselves, led successful careers, supported and uplifted each other, and always chose themselves over the men they encountered. Their experiences reflect the common experiences women have today and the struggles they have to face throughout adulthood.

In a way, this show tumbled into my life right when I needed it. I remember sitting there as the first episode wrapped up, questioning why I’d never watched this show in my life. Even the first episode reminded me that it was achievable to be a successful woman with a good career and a stable social circle. It was so easy to find bits of myself in each of their personalities and experiences.

These main characters are distinctly different, making them the perfect roles for a female audience to follow. Samantha is beautiful no matter her age but never finds herself tied down to a man; she has different sexual partners in each episode. Charlotte is modest and a hopeless romantic, but she always stays true to her values. Miranda is slightly more androgynous than the others, headstrong, and stubborn– she never budges when it comes to what she wants. Now, Carrie is a bit impulsive and self-centered at times but she’s also incredibly hardworking, creative, and fun. The variation in their personalities makes it easy for female viewers to relate.

This show is such an important piece of entertainment for women because it’s about female friendship and empowerment. Watching this show seems to liberate you from any hesitations or insecurities regarding independence and sexual exploration. Set in a city like New York where there are endless possibilities, these characters become prime examples of what it means to be free women. The show also encourages women to find a sense of safety and solace in one another, spreading the idea that female friendships are crucial to nourishing your own identity, even at thirty-something.

Sex and the City is one of the few shows that normalizes aging, as well as the unmarried, middle-aged woman. We see so many shows nowadays that sexualize and romanticize teenagers and young adults that it’s difficult to fight against the idea that older women can’t be desirable on their own. Even though the characters’ ages are addressed– given they are a big part of the show– they are not limited by them and their beauty is continuously appreciated.

I’m sure I’m not the only young woman who’s watched this show and felt unshackled by the invisible rules and restrictions placed on women. I’ve spoken to a few friends and family members about the show and they’ve agreed that the release of Sex and the City was a monumental moment for feminism in the late 90s. It also kickstarted a genre in television that gave way to shows like Girls, The L Word, and The Sex Lives of College Girls; all modern shows that celebrate female friendship and sexuality.

Overall, I am thoroughly enjoying my first watch of Sex and the City and if you’re a woman reading this and need a little boost– in confidence, motivation, or just a little reminder that you can be whatever you wish to be– I highly recommend watching (or rewatching) this lovely tv series.