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Abstract

Released in 2021 on Netflix and directed by Jordanian actress and director Tima Shomali, the television series Al-Rawabi School for Girls garnered international attention for its daring depiction of Jordanian girlhood and discussions of hard-hitting topics such as bullying, domestic abuse, sexual harassment, and honor killings. Despite its Jordanian context, the series engaged heavily with Hollywood tropes regarding girlhood, specifically the “mean girl” trope; the show referenced this trope so often that it began to be called “the Arab Mean Girls,” referring to the cult classic US film Mean Girls (2004). This essay critically examines the utilization of popular Western gender tropes in an Arab show, considering their global appeal, the influence of Western media, and the dynamics of streaming services. This analysis contributes to a deeper understanding of how media representations intersect with gender, culture, and global influence, ultimately raising questions about the impact of such narrative choices on the portrayal of Jordanian girls and girlhood in contemporary media.

Author Biography

Leen Masoud is a research assistant at the Women’s Studies Unit of the Renaissance Strategic Centre (RSC), a think tank under the Arab Renaissance for Development and Democracy organization (ARDD). She holds an MA in Sociology and Anthropology from the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies. Her work explores how media narratives shape gender perceptions, influence social change, and impact women’s rights in the Middle East. With a focus on localized research, she examines the role of digital platforms, representation, and discourse in shaping gender dynamics, contributing to critical discussions on media, culture, and society in the MENA region.

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