As girls we get bombarded with feminine stereotypes 24/7, how we’re supposed to dress, eat, look like, if we don’t follow the rule we’re judged, by the media, strangers, friends and worst by ourselves.
Every single day we see the ads, we hear the commentary, we’re told that our bodies should be size 3,2,1,0 and no higher and if it does we must diet immediately, exercise 2 hours a day, take “miracle” pills, fasten for a week, anything but be “fat” we are given this message that clothes must fit us and not the other way around, I see women who buy clothes smaller than their sizes because it’ll motivate them, motivate them to be thinner, because thin is beautiful, to me healthy is beautiful, I say that we should change it from be thin to be healthy.
But it’s not only our sizes that we’re criticized on, there’s also our wardrobe, get out of the norm and you don’t know how to be a girl, you’re the odd girl out and let the criticism rain in, because for some, for most actually, fashion is a one way street and the minute you get out of it, you’re a “walking mess” but being out of the norm applies not only to fashion but by how we speak, how we express ourselves, we’re strongly encouraged to follow in and keep the strange thoughts to ourselves and when we don’t the looks given say it all, of course it rarely stays in looks, the disapproval rises up until it overflows and then it’s not just looks, but judging is verbalized, whether it’s by friendly jokes, helpful tips or the direct critic, for some reason it is always hard for humans to accept that not everyone thinks, dresses or behaves the way we do.
And even at our most confident moments it can get to us, perhaps just for a split second but it does.
So, here I am taking a humble stand and saying let’s check our stereotypes, let’s check what we say, because we just never know.
"The most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched, they must be felt with the heart"
Helen Keller
