The definition of stereotype: A widely held but fixed and oversimplified image or idea of a particular type of person or thing. Ever since you were able to speak and comprehend words, you’ve probably been taught the girl stereotype.
This label is one of the most underrated and ongoing problems we have in society today. Even when we were curious 5 year olds who had no idea how truly big and bad our world was, we could see our dads doing the heavy yard-work while our mother stayed inside to clean. Now, don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with parents having their specific roles and jobs in the household. What is wrong, is that people nowadays think that this is how it should be. That’s completely incorrect.
In first grade, I went to the department store with my mom. I fell in love with a blue scooter that had fire on the handlebars. My mom checked the price and saw that it was reasonable, so she let me ride it up and down the aisles while she picked up some things. As we made our way to the cash register, an employee stopped me. “Honey, would you like me to get you a pink scooter instead? I’m almost sure I saw some in the back!” He said with a crooked smile. I admired his kindness, but what I did not admire was the stereotype he was giving me. Who said that blue is a color specifically for boys? Why can’t I like things that boys like? Why are the colors pink and purple labeled as girly? They are just colors, another part of the world. How come I can’t enjoy the color blue one day and pink the next? It doesn’t even make sense, really. If you’re a guy and think you look best in pink, wear pink. If you’re a girl and think you look best in dark reds and royal blues, rock it. Colors are not labeled for a specific gender. That’s not how this world was created to be.
Another part of the “girl” stereotype was being highlighted years later, when I was in the fourth grade. The boys in my class were arm wrestling on one of the picnic tables during recess. My friend and I politely asked to join, but were completely ignored. We asked again a bit louder but just got a simple: “No, you’re girls.” Just because I am a girl? A woman gives birth to children, goes through so much stress and agony and some people still give them grief as adults. Mentally and physically, women can be stronger than men. Personally, I am a softball player. Softball is one of the most strength building sports in existence because of the continuous hard throws you have to make at your target. My biceps have gotten larger than any guy in my grade that I know of. So physically, yes, a girl can be stronger than a guy. Why does it even matter? Girls are not meant to be weak. Some people use the term: “You throw like a girl!” Well guess what? I do throw like a girl, and I can throw faster and harder than you can. (And yes, I did beat the boy in the arm wrestle back in fourth grade.)
