A Bit 'o Random Musings on Politics, Religion, and Anything Else That Passes Through My Crazy Head

Saturday, October 23, 2010

Girly vs. Girl Power

Sometimes I wonder if I'm "girly" enough to be a girl. Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy at least one aspect of girliness: I love to bake.* But, I hate shopping. I don't like make-up. Dressing up in pretty clothes annoys me, I would rather be in jeans (or sweats). Pink is my LEAST favorite color. For me, doing my hair means washing it on a regular basis. Though I love themed earrings for occasions (Halloween Skeletons!), bling is kind of gross - I am not a fan of huge diamonds or flashy metals. Before writing this post, I double checked, and I don't currently own any perfume.

Yet culture expects us girls to love pink, covet jewelry, make ourselves beautiful** by applying paint and chemicals to our faces, wear skirts, etc. Why does society expect these things of me simply because I lack an Y chromosome? One of the aspects of my version of feminism is that we get to choose what we want. IF girls really do want those things, that's great - good for them. It's not my cup of tea, but I don't mean to disparage these pursuits if others enjoy them. Feminism means girls get to choose. It also means "society"/"culture" should grow up and stop labeling things as girly and expect every girl to act alike.

*Full disclosure: I loved, and still love dolls, so I guess that's pretty "girly."
**Side note: ugly women are expected to wear make up but not ugly men