“Don’t be a little girl” or on a more “mature level” “Don’t be a p*ssy”; these are all things that are said to boys of this generation. However, if you truly reflect on the true connotations of these words, it is somewhat strange how these are insults to people, more specifically, men, in today’s “modern” society. Being a girl is not a bad thing; it’s something that is uncontrollable like race and sexuality - it does not make a person a lesser being because of this. It’s very similar as in calling someone a p*ssy, but in a sense that it is berating to make a women’s body part into an insult.
The Detriments of Gender Norms
By Clifford Ki (Loyola High School '19)
All people should be able to show their emotions regardless of gender.
In a time and age when mental health is being uncovered and the stigmas on mental illnesses are being eradicated one by one, it is ironic to see that boys are still told not be show emotions. All people should be able to show their emotions regardless of gender.
It seems as though in today’s world, people use these as an insult to others and make it seem that being a girl is a bad thing. This is a problem not only for girls, but for guys as well. From a young age, speaking from personal experience, I was taught to not be “girly”. Being “girly” is considered crying, not being athletic, and showing emotions; these are only a few out of the many stereotypes that exist today. Even though these are all really bad stigmas to have, the last of these three prove to be one of the most detrimental to a person’s well-being.
"boys can't cry"
"don't be a girl"
"stop being weak"
"you run like a girl"
"you're too girly"
"be strong"
"be more masculine"
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