The age of confusion for women

Still from "Break The Box"

I do not envy young women growing up in this generation. In part, some of it is positive, although let me preface this blog by saying that it is 2014 and a shame that we even need these efforts in the first place... but sadly we do and I'm glad that there are some great companies promoting feminism and being a strong woman. There is “always” with the commercials about “What does it mean when someone says “like a girl.”” In this brilliant commercial they ask little girls to throw, run, and kick like a girl… and they give it their all. Then they ask adolescent women to do the same thing… and they act weak or insulting… Their whole point being when does “like a girl” become an insult?

That is awesome. 

Then there is Verizon, with their whole #InspireHerMind, showing us what happens when we do not allow girls to be curious about the sciences, and things that boys are "supposed" to be into. They slowly become disinterested in the subjects altogether! We, as a society, are discouraging women from entering any type of field that is “meant for a man.” Watching this commercial actually made me depressed… because I know this one is a hard subject to approach and one that may not change anytime soon. Regardless, it is nice to see some companies trying. 

Another great commercial is the Texas Association Against Sexual Assault – Break The Box. This one tries to challenge all gender stereotypes – it’s great! It’s really well put together and makes me want to make a change when I see it.

These are all great things and are very powerful messages that hopefully will take effect... BUT and this is a big but… we have all these great efforts in conjunction with really, really negative stereotypes. What makes it worse is that it is becoming normal to use these “bitch” stereotypes. I was perusing Facebook one day and came across a quiz that most of my friends have taken entitled “How bitchy are you?”     WTF? 

I took this quiz just to see what they thought would qualify (as if there is anything that would actually give validation for calling someone this) someone as a bitch. It was simple things like getting angry at traffic, flagging down a waiter/waitress after 10 minutes of not being noticed, someone cutting in line… Are you trying to tell me that my genitalia is sufficient enough that if I get angry at normal stuff like this – the annoying things that EVEN MEN get angry at – that I would be considered a bitch if I actually voiced my anger???

If that were not enough,  I saw this on a blog – E! Entertainment actually had an actual award for this category on television. “Best Baddie and Bitch.” If I were an evil man I would just be slapped on the wrist and called a “Baddie” or even be idolized… but as a woman I am a “bitch?” 

When did this term become normalized enough to use in frequent social media outlets and awards? Why is there blatant double standards still in existence?

It’s no wonder that it’s become more and more difficult for women to be themselves… we are getting mixed signals everywhere! If we so much as show an emotion other than grateful happiness we are automatically forsaken and thrown into a negative category!

This indeed is a confusing time to grow up and I really hope that girls will be smarter than advertisers and side with those that are actually promoting their well-being, otherwise the inequality will continue to grow. So please, stop promoting negative stereotypes and STOP BEING OKAY with it! It's NOT okay to discriminate against women in this way, especially when it's used as a double standard.