This is part 2 of 'How to be a Woman'. To read part 1, simply scroll down a post or click on this link.
Dear Electra,
As you've read from part 1 of this topic, there are no rules for being a woman, but yet everyone around me recommends that there are special traits you need to successfully be a female. In this post, let's analyse each ridiculous rule from part 1 and reverse it.
1. "Always listen to what people have to say about you and act upon it. If they say you're too ugly, add a little bit of makeup on your face."
There's so much negativity in this world that you can't help but succumb to what people have to say. Society demands unrealistic expectations from everybody, but when you look at it realistically they're aiming to change girls the most. If you're receiving hate, don't change anything and keep on doing what you love. If it becomes overwhelming, feel free to reveal your sassy side. That will shut them up.
3. "You must wear dresses that reach the ankle. No pants, no leggings and certainly no booty shorts."
I can't count how many articles I've read about how girls should dress. Schools and workplaces all over the world have the craziest dress codes that target girls. I read one article where a girl who wore a skirt that covered her knees but still was asked to change to a 'more suitable outfit'. I believe that everyone should wear whatever they want to, as long as they're comfortable.
4. "You must shave off every single follicle of hair that is found on you -- most importantly, the hair on your head."
Why do men get away with wearing beards and having unshaved arms, but yet when women have a little bit of peach fuzz it's the main issue on the table? Women, especially teenage girls, shouldn't be reprimanded about this at all. It persuades us to become insecure.
5. "You must not get an education but learn to become a housewife. Without the woman, a house is not a home."
Another rule about gender stereotypes. I watched a video from Buzzfeed where they ask strangers to associate a mix of people with different occupations. The strangers linked the women with female-dominated careers (e.g. nursing), and the men with male-dominated careers (e.g.fields in science). In reality, the women were in science careers and the men worked for childcare. This video proved that women can handle what men can do, and vice versa.
6. "You must not play sports. It is forbidden for women to sweat a droplet as this affects their ladylike-ness. Women are also banned from showing some kind of strength."
This is the rule where I cringe the most. In some parts of the world, women are forced to stay out of fields where men are dominating, such as sports. Women are forced to maintain the house rather than participating in sports. Sports help people to gain skills in sportsmanship, teamwork, body and logic skills. I think it's important for everyone to experience that.
7. "You must not leave the house without a man. What will happen if you get lost in the middle of nowhere?"
This is the only rule in this list where I believe applies to the real world. I've watched videos where women are sexually harrassed on the streets and basically everywhere they go. Sometimes to stop that harrassment you'd have to be accompanied by a man. Reality sucks, right?
8. "You must not have any weapons on you. This includes pepper spray, tasers and anything hard like a book. "
However, if a man can't accompany you everywhere you go, feel free to defend yourself with anything.
To all the women/girls out there, be strong and defy stereotypes. Show the world how strong you can be.
Stay powerful and beautiful as usual,
- M ★
2. "You must keep your room neat. You're a woman, not a boy."
This rule not only focuses on keeping your room neat because of your gender, but maintaining stereotypes in everything you do. Everybody knows about gender stereotypes, like how 'girls have to be prim and proper'. All genders should be free to oppose these ridiculous stereotypes. 3. "You must wear dresses that reach the ankle. No pants, no leggings and certainly no booty shorts."
I can't count how many articles I've read about how girls should dress. Schools and workplaces all over the world have the craziest dress codes that target girls. I read one article where a girl who wore a skirt that covered her knees but still was asked to change to a 'more suitable outfit'. I believe that everyone should wear whatever they want to, as long as they're comfortable.
4. "You must shave off every single follicle of hair that is found on you -- most importantly, the hair on your head."
Why do men get away with wearing beards and having unshaved arms, but yet when women have a little bit of peach fuzz it's the main issue on the table? Women, especially teenage girls, shouldn't be reprimanded about this at all. It persuades us to become insecure.
5. "You must not get an education but learn to become a housewife. Without the woman, a house is not a home."
Another rule about gender stereotypes. I watched a video from Buzzfeed where they ask strangers to associate a mix of people with different occupations. The strangers linked the women with female-dominated careers (e.g. nursing), and the men with male-dominated careers (e.g.fields in science). In reality, the women were in science careers and the men worked for childcare. This video proved that women can handle what men can do, and vice versa.
6. "You must not play sports. It is forbidden for women to sweat a droplet as this affects their ladylike-ness. Women are also banned from showing some kind of strength."
This is the rule where I cringe the most. In some parts of the world, women are forced to stay out of fields where men are dominating, such as sports. Women are forced to maintain the house rather than participating in sports. Sports help people to gain skills in sportsmanship, teamwork, body and logic skills. I think it's important for everyone to experience that.
7. "You must not leave the house without a man. What will happen if you get lost in the middle of nowhere?"
This is the only rule in this list where I believe applies to the real world. I've watched videos where women are sexually harrassed on the streets and basically everywhere they go. Sometimes to stop that harrassment you'd have to be accompanied by a man. Reality sucks, right?
8. "You must not have any weapons on you. This includes pepper spray, tasers and anything hard like a book. "
However, if a man can't accompany you everywhere you go, feel free to defend yourself with anything.
To all the women/girls out there, be strong and defy stereotypes. Show the world how strong you can be.
Stay powerful and beautiful as usual,
- M ★
