1.Your primary goal in life should be a relationship.
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I’m looking at you, Disney movies and romantic comedies. Nearly every movie, TV show and book features the happy ending as the main characters finally getting to be together. You can accomplish so much more than that in the story of your life!
2. You have to have certain physical features to be lovable.
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Ads tell us that we’ll find happiness once we lose those 10 pounds, once we get tanner, once our teeth or nose or acne are fixed. But no physical trait is more correct than another. Every one of you is lovable, despite any insecurities you have.
3. Guys like girls who-
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I’m gonna stop you right there. Do not let the expectations of others dictate your behavior. No matter what online articles say, there is no quality that all men will hate, nor one quality which all men will like. No matter if you’re the tastiest peach in the world, there will always be someone who doesn’t like peaches. Do what you like, and the right people will love you for it.
4. Women are people with vaginas.
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Nope! You can have a vagina and be a man. You can have a penis and be a woman. You can be neither, or both! Don’t let anyone else dictate your identity.
5. Real women–
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Real women are skinny, curvy, tall, short, muscular, disabled, young, old… I can keep going.
6. You have to be hairless.
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You can be totally bald or you can rock an unshaved everything. Again: it’s whatever you are more comfortable with! You don’t have to be ashamed of arm or leg hair. We’re mammals, and waxing hurts! Let the haters hate.
7. That the only things you want to read about are sex, losing weight, and beauty tips.
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Magazine covers are classically cliche-full of sex tips, relationship advice, and impossible diet plans, as if that’s all women care about. I can’t believe magazines haven’t changed this yet.
8. If you don’t want kids, you’ll change your mind later on!
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Being a woman is about more than being a baby-making machine. Your life choices are yours alone, and no one can blame you for not wanting to take on that massive responsibility.
9. If you do want kids, you’re not putting your career first–how shameful!
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You can be a mom and career woman. Or you can be a stay at home mom. Again: no one can push you into something that’s not right for you.
10. You’re a whore if you have sex.
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No, you’re not. No matter how many derogatory names there are for it, no matter what people call you, what you do with your body is your choice. Just be safe and attend regular doctor and OBGYN appointments.
11. If you’re waiting, you’re a prude.
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Waiting is a bold choice in a time where people are telling you that your sexuality and appearance are the most important aspects of femininity. Stay true to you, and don’t let anyone coerce you into anything you’re not comfortable doing.
12. Consent is sexy.
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No, it’s not. It’s required. There’s no “right” or “wrong” time to move forward with someone physically. You also have the right to move backward and decide to not do something anymore. Not saying “no” doesn’t mean it’s a yes. Make sure to know what consent really means.
12. Women are naturally weaker/more emotional than men.
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No, women can do anything they set their minds to. You are not automatically weak (or strong) because of your gender.
13. Sexism doesn’t exist, not in the US anyway.
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Well, I could write a whole article about this one. But in general, women are held to expectations of being subservient to men. Women’s bodies are more often sexualized than men’s, but even when men are sexualized, they are rarely shown in a position where they are submissive. And no matter what way you slice it, being told that men should dominate you, whether in literal or extremely subtle ways, means we still need to fight this stereotype, as well as the fact we are often treated as objects of desire. These problems leads to wage differences, battering of women, prostitution rings, and many, many more issues for all women across the world, even wester cultures.
14. Girls can’t-
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Insert anything you want here. Girl’s can’t fight, drive, play male-dominated sports, be strong, join the army, rap, be programmers… The list goes on and on. But girls can do anything, and we are.