I’m probably not the only one, but sometimes I feel like it. I do not get it. Being a girl means you are supposed to be into pink things with fluffiness and sparkles. Being a girl means you are supposed to put on make up and shimmer your eyes and giggle and make sure your lip gloss is super shiny for your puckers. Being a girl means you follow the latest clothing trends—hello leggings that I hated when I was 4 and forced to wear with outrageous neon colors but now all of a sudden I want to be cool so I will force my now 20 year old body into something made for my 4 year old body.
Not me. Not I. I can’t stand being a girl. Not that it is a bad thing to know or do the things mentioned above, but for me, I rather do something else. Instead of pink, I like black. Instead of full blown makeup, I like mascara and lip gloss. Instead of trendy clothes, I have to opt for suits to wear to court. I love Depeche Mode and Madonna’s Immaculate Collection. Guess what? It is not a bad thing. Individuality is good.
It seems like the MTV generation has created a new brand of super girl, one that 1984, thankfully, did not make the cut. I firmly believe, however, that the generation of the 20s, I being on the hump year of 20-30, does not have to succumb to the MTV generation of women. Now I am not saying go and run and throw out all of your makeup and burn your clothes. What I am saying is that the economy has taught us something; so has the Allstate commercials…downsize, bring it back to the basics.
Being in your 20s does not mean you cannot be a glam girl, but do not over do it. Do not lose your individuality because you want to conform and do what is “hot” rather than what is sensible. As women, unfortunately, we have to be much more careful how we portray ourselves, whether it is in our personal lives or professional ones. Your reputation will follow you wherever you will go.
I graduated from law school last year and it amazes me what people will remember about you from your three years of faux high school. Instead of “Did you go to school with Ms. X” it is more of “Did you go to school with that girl who slept with like 3 guys 1L year? She wears a lot of pink and very pretty lip gloss. I guess it came in handy.” Holy crap!
Girls who do receive respect, and I know deep down inside that is what everyone wants, even guys, are just real. They portray themselves not through their clothes, or trendy cars, or brag that they have a house in the hills and had sweet sixteen party where an elephant and Lady Gaga showed up. No, real women, are just. Real. Use what your momma gave you, literally. You have a brain, think. Being a girl doesn’t mean you have to be a girl or fall into a stereotype. Be yourself.
So pull and tug on your tights and fret that “oh my gosh I just spent 10 minutes getting into these things and now there is a hole.” Go ahead and wear Tooty Fruity Passion Fruit lipstick. But remember this, use your brain first, that’s where your real beauty will shine through.
P.S. Maybelline makes fabulous mascara.
Interesting thoughts, Nadia. It seems to me that older women (20s to 30s) are being sold the “pink fluffy sparkly” stuff harder than in the past, and I'd be interested to know your thoughts on that as well.
Jlkalb,
I would say yes and no. It depends on where you are going and what you are reading. Granted if you look at Cosmopolitan or Glamour magazine there are style tips and make up tips, but not all of it is necessarily pink and fluffy. Of course in the past, especially in the 1950s, women were more reserved, usually stayed at home, and not many of them had careers. The advertisements back then were home products and cleaning supplies that would be shown during soap operas. Of course as time progressed, women got out more and they way advertisements were conveyed changed because of television and print magazines. Hence the change in how women are targeted. However, now women can filter what they read or pay attention to, the same power they have in choosing how to carry themselves.